2026 NPM Course-Dawson Butte Open Space - June 16, 18 & 25; 9:00am-1:00pm

DAWSON BUTTE 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 Colorado Native Plant Master and has been teaching about Native Plants at Dawson Butte Open Space for several years. She is an interpretive naturalist and volunteers for Douglas Land Conservancy where she leads hikes and teaches a naturalist program. She also volunteers with Douglas County Open Space and Town of Castle Rock Parks, Open Space Trails.

Barb Harbach is a volunteer naturalist for Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) and Douglas County Open Space. She is a lifelong wildflower enthusiast and a certified Colorado Native Plant Master. She studied Biology in college, took a 180 turn, and obtained a degree in commercial art, working in that field for 25 years. Now retired, she guides plant and naturalist hikes and monitors plants for Douglas County Open Space.

PREREQUISITE:

Participants who register for a Native Plant Master certification courses will get access to 2 new introductory CSU Online NPM classes (a $138 value!) for free. You will be sent an email with access to these online classes once you have registerd.

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

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. by Jennifer Ackerfield. 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:

Dawson Butte Ranch 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 Southbound:

Take the Plum Creek Exit (181) toward Wilcox Street. Turn Right onto Wilcox and head south two miles. At the traffic circle, take the first exit over I-25. Turn left onto Dawson Trails Blvd and drive south for 3 miles. Go; right/west at Tomah Rd. 1.5 miles to the Dawson Butte Open Space entrance on the right.

DIRECTIONS From I-25 Northbound:

Take exit 174 towards Tomah Rd. Turn Left and then right onto the I-25 Frontage Road west. Drive 2.1 miles north to Tomah Rd. Go left/west at Tomah Rd. 1.5 miles to the Dawson Butte Open Space 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 Dawson Butte Open Space entrance on the left.

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.

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 23. Details will be sent after registering.

If you are interested in this course but the fee is a barrier, please reach out to [email protected] to ask about our scholarship opportunities.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master Program