Colorado has a wealth of native plants, colorful wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees. Therefore, they are naturally adapted to our variable climate, soils, temperatures and elevations. The Native Plant Master Program connects people with the environment around them by instilling comprehensive knowledge of our native flora.
Courses are taught consecutively over a three week period, and are held on-trail in a variety of beautiful locations around the county. Sign up today!
In this three week course you will…
- Learn the values and characteristics of native plant species
- Acquire skills to identify natives plants and invasive weeds in the field using a dichotomous key
- Become knowledgeable on the stewardship of the native ecosystem
Learn More about Native Plant Masters (NPM) at the Statewide NPM Website
Register for NPM Courses on Eventbrite
2021 Boulder County Native Plant Master Courses
Basic Botany
Your introduction to (or refresher on) botanical terminology, the basics of dichotomous keying and the characteristics of Colorado’s most species-rich families. Participants will familiarize themselves with morphological characteristics and key family traits.
- Dates: Saturdays, March 6 and 13, 2021
- Time: 9:00 am -12:00 pm
- Location: Program will be via Zoom
- Instructors: Elizabeth Allen
- Cost: $10
Wildflower & Weeds Walk at Caribou Ranch Open Space
- Dates: Saturday, July 10, 2021 & Saturday, August 7, 2021
- Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Location: Program will be via Zoom for the July 10th walk, decision for the August 7th walk will be determined in July
- Instructor: Elizabeth Allen
- Cost: FREE
Take a virtual summer wildflower walk and stop along the way to learn how to identify common flowers along with some of our more common invasive species. Situated in the upper Montane life zone (8,300′ to 10,000′), Caribou Ranch is dominated by coniferous forest with many understory plants but it also has many wetlands and meadows filled with grasses and wildflowers. Invasive plants that threaten the native plants will also be discussed. There is also the possibility of spotting moose which inhabit the area.
Basic Grass ID & Terminology
- Dates: Fridays, September 3, 10, 17, 2021
- Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Location: TBD
- Instructors: Deryn Davidson & Sharon Bokan
- Cost: $30 Limited to 12 students
You will learn the basic terminology and plant structures used in grass identification. If you have been hesitant to learn to identify grasses, this class will introduce you to basic grass terminology and other physical identification features. Class will be part classroom and part in the field
Note: Location and delivery method may change due to COVID-19
Trees for Landscaping
- Dates: Friday, June 11, 2021
- Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- Instructors: Deryn Davidson & Sharon Bokan
- Cost: $10
This class will cover how to identify tree species using features such as leaves, bark and overall shape and the attributes that make them attractive and desirable in our landscapes.
Using Native Plants in Landscapes
- Dates: Friday, May 14, 2021
- Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- Instructors: Deryn Davidson & Sharon Bokan
- Cost: $10
Xeriscaping and using native plants in our landscapes does not mean gravel and ugly plants. Using native plants in a landscape can provide an easy care, low water use beautiful landscape. We’ll discuss how to incorporate native/xeriscaping plants into a landscape.
