2025 NPM Course at Roxborough State Park - May 9, 16 & 23 from 8:30-12:30pm

Take a Native Plant Master course at this state park with stunning red rock views and diverse plant communities. Explore the Gambel oak forest and wildflower-bordered trails during three outdoor field sessions where 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 invasive plants that threaten native ecosystems.

TRAINERS:

Dina Baker received her Native Plant Master certification in 2018 and will be teaching her first full Native Plant Master course this year at Roxborough State Park. She has led numerous native plant programs in the past for her own company, as well as the Colorado Native Plant Society, Evergreen Audubon, and Denver Audubon. She loves connecting kids and adults with nature as well as learning and teaching about the exciting relationships between native plants, birds, insects and more.

Lisa Mason

PREREQUISITE:

Starting this March, participants who register for Native Plant Master certification courses will get access to 2 new introductory CSU Online NPM classes (a $138 value) for free.

Pre-requisite online courses will be:
1. Basic Field Botany
2. Plant Families and How to use a Dichotomous Key

We also offer in-person one-day Intro to Botany refresher classes that take place at South Platte Park in the Kingfisher Studio. Basic botany is recommended for those who have minimal background in botany. If you’re looking for a botany class taught with interactive and hands-on components with minimal lecturing, then this option might be best for you. One-day courses do not count towards Native Plant Master certification.

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 (2022) 2nd edition, as this is the version that the class will be taught from. There is a new (2024) 2nd printing of the 2nd edition that will be acceptable also.

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:

We will meet at 8:15 AM outside the main Visitor Center as class begins at 8:30 AM sharp. The Visitor Center is approximately 1.5 miles in on Roxborough Park Road. Bring your park pass or purchase a daily pass at the Kiosk at the park entrance ($10 per car). The fee for the class does not include the parking pass. Restrooms are at the Visitor Center.

Directions from Wadsworth and C-470:

Take Wadsworth south past Chatfield State Park. Turn left on Waterton Road (just before the entrance to Lockheed Martin.) Continue on Waterton Road—crossing the South Platte River, until it ends at North Rampart Range Road (1.6 miles) Turn right (south) on North Rampart Range Road. Continue south past Roxborough Village and the Foothills Water Treatment Plant. (2.3 miles) At the intersection of North Rampart Range Road and Roxborough Park Road (just before the entrance to Arrowhead golf course), turn left onto Roxborough Park Road. Take the next right on East Roxborough Drive(about 50 yards away) to enter the park.

Directions from Santa Fe and C-470:

Head south on Santa Fe (Highway 85) to Titan Road. (4.2 miles south of C-470 intersection.) Turn right (west) on Titan Road. Continue heading west on Titan Road. It will curve and begin to head south - becoming North Rampart Range Road (3 miles). Continue south on North Rampart Range Road past Roxborough Village and the Foothills Water Treatment Plant (3.5 miles). At the intersection of North Rampart Range Road and Roxborough Park Road, turn left onto Roxborough Park Road. Take the next right on East Roxborough Drive (about 50 yards away) to enter the park.

WHAT TO BRING:

Text book, pencil, hand lens, daypack, water, snack/sack lunch, rain gear, sun, and wind protection, bug repellent, and 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. (Field hikecan be on uneven terrain with hills. Bringing hiking poles is encouraged if they would make you more comfortable on the trail.)

INCLEMENT WEATHER/ILLNESS:

In the rare circumstance that a session must be canceled, you will be notified by phone and/or email message as soon as possible by the trainer and/or NPM Coordinator. Please confirm the email address and phone number that you use to register is current and will easily reach you.

PLEASE NOTE:

Although many courses fill up quickly, NPM courses with low enrollment may be cancelled.

If you are interested in this course but the fee is a barrier, please reach out to dfradkin@arapahoegov.com to ask about our scholarship opportunities.

Host or Publisher Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master Program