About this Event
DAWSON BUTTE RANCH Open Space in Douglas County has a total of over 7 miles of wide and mostly flat trails which meander through forests and meadows with spectacular views and an amazing array of wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Class hikes are approximately one mile in length. For more info on this Douglas County Open Space, click here.
TRAINERS:
Sharon Sjostrom is a certified Native Plant Master, amateur naturalist, volunteer with the Douglas County Open Space, serves on the DLC (Douglas Land Conservancy) Board, and often leads hikes for DLC at Dawson Butte.
Lucinda Greene is a Native Plant Master trainer and was the previous program coordinator for the Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master program serving Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert counties.
Gregor MacGregor is a Native Plant Master, community naturalist, water and agricultural attorney, and professor of environmental and natural resources policy at the University of Colorado.
PREREQUISITE: A Basic Botany class and a Plant Families class is suggested for those who would like to refresh their botanical knowledge and is highly recommended for those who have a minimal background. There will be two free Zoom classes taught by Lenore Mitchell covering Basic Botany and Plant Families, offered by the Foothills to Plains NPM Program in April, which you can register for at the links below, to satisfy this requirement:
Basic Botany-April 4, from 4:00-7:00pm
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkceGvqzgrGNOVvQVtx1oJ1tsnHRIa3YO1
Plant Families-April 11, from 4:00-7:00pm
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtcumgqjgjGtdTJfpz1P8dfZWSTiJJWiOj
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
NATIVE PLANT MASTER PROGRAM: Participants who pass three NPM courses will receive a Native Plant Master Certificate. This 12 hour class fulfills 1/3 of the 36-hour coursework requirement towards certification as a Native Plant Master. Courses should be taken in different months and/or vegetation zones. Learn more here.
REQUIRED TEXT & MATERIALS: Text: Flora of Colorado by Jennifer Ackerfield. It is preferred to get the newest (2022) 2nd edition, as this is the version that the class will be taught from. Materials: A hand lens or loupe (approximately 10x.) Both lens and textbook are available through the Colorado Native Plant Society bookstore (https://conps.org/conps-store), local and online retail outlets, and the publisher (800-621-2736).
WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space is located at 1753 Tomah Road, Castle Rock, CO 80109. Please arrive no later than 8:45am; class begins at 9am sharp. Meet at parking lot off Tomah Rd. Restrooms available near parking lot.
DIRECTIONS From I-25: Take the Plum Creek Exit west and head south five miles on the frontage road; go right/west at Tomah Rd. 1.5 miles to the Dawson Butte Ranch entrance on the right.
DIRECTIONS From junction of C470 and Santa Fe: Follow Santa Fe south to Sedalia, turn right (south), follow 1/2 mile to first left turn (south) onto County Rd 105, follow to Tomah Rd, turn left (east) and follow to park entrance on the left.
WHAT TO BRING: Ackerfield Textbook, pencil, hand lens, 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.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Handouts including plant lists and online references will be provided. There will also be an extra (optional) Zoom class for attendees on Tuesday, June 18 from 11:30am-1:00pm. Details will be sent after registering.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail, 1753 Tomah Road, Castle Rock, United States
USD 125.00
