Take a CSU Extension Native Plant Master® Course at Staunton in June!

Take a Native Plant Master® course at Staunton, a new State park with grassy montane meadows, ponderosa pine forests and soaring granite outcrops. Learn fun facts about Colorado wildflowers, trees and shrubs as you explore trails in this natural area. During three outdoor field sessions, you will learn common and scientific names, ecological relationships and human uses of 40 - 50 plants. You will also develop skills in using family features and a botanical key to identify plants. Course includes special emphasis on natives useful for landscaping and alien invasives that threaten native ecosystems.

Trainer: Lenore Mitchell is on the Board for the Colorado Native Plant Society and teaches for DU's Olli adult education. She has taught Native Plant Master classes since 2006.

Prerequisite: Basic Botany Class is recommended for those who would like to refresh their botanical knowledge and is required for those who have minimal background in botany. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for questions.

Native Plant Master: All participants who pass three NPM courses will receive a Colorado Flora Certificate. For accepted volunteers, this course counts toward certification as a Native Plant Master. To learn more, click here: jeffco.extension.colostate.edu/metro-to-mountain-npm/about-us/ . To reduce overlap, take courses in different months and/or lifezones. Cost is $95 and does not include day pass into park (purchase separately).
www.eventbrite.com/e/npm-course-at-staun...-tickets-29501193865

Lifezone: Montane

Required Textbook/Reference: 1) Colorado Flora - Eastern Slope, Fourth edition, Weber and Wittmann available through Colorado Native Plant Society bookstore ( conps.org/conps-store ), local and online retail outlets and the publisher (800-621-2736) and 2) Colorado Plant Database at coloradoplants.jeffco.us/

When/Where to meet: June 1, June 5, and June 8. Meet first time at 8:15 AM at the main parking lot just past the ranger's station and adjacent to the public restrooms. Course starts at 8:30 am sharp. Bring park pass or purchase daily pass on site ($7 per car). The fee for this class does not include this.

Directions: Take US Highway 285 southwest to Shaffers Crossing, about 6 miles west of Conifer. Take the exit ramp at Schaffer's Crossing onto Elk Creek Road and then turn north (right) on Elk Creek Road and follow the signs 1.5 miles to the park entrance.

What to bring: Textbook, pencil, hand lens (approximately 10x), daypack, water, sack lunch, rain gear, sun and wind protection, personal items you will need on the trail where there are no restrooms, etc. Please come prepared for moderately strenuous walking on hot, cold, windy, rainy or snowy days. The textbook and hand lens can be purchased through the Colorado Native Plant Society ( conps.org/conps-store ) or any on-line or local area bookstore.

Carpooling: Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to carpool and your contact information will be shared with others interested in carpooling. Any liability arising from such arrangements are the participants' sole responsibility.