Colorado Native Plant Master: Tunnel Drive

Schedule: May 15, 22 and 29 from 8:30AM-12:30PM. Participants must attend all three classes for course completion.

Park Description: Tunnel drive is a beautiful, flat walk that parallels the Arkansas River. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead, but no bathrooms beyond that. The trail is fairly flat and even after the first hill.

We will introduce you to 40-60 plants, using family features and a botanical key to help identify species. Ecological relationships, human connections and the potential to use some of these plants in your landscaping will be discussed. In addition, we will emphasize understanding noxious alien plants and the challenge they present to our native environment.

Trainers:

Irene Shonle is a retired Horticulture Specialist for CSU Extension, and has taught Native Plant Master classes since 2003. She has a PhD in Ecology, and was with CSU Extension for 23 years. She is passionate about using native plants in the landscape, and has a large native plant garden at her house.

Native Plant Master Certificate: 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 Textbook: Flora of Colorado by Jennifer Ackerfield. The 2nd edition is preferred if you need to buy this book, but the 1st edition (2015) is OK because students will be given a list of changes between the 1st and 2nd editions for plants studied during the course. 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: Meet at the vault toilets at the trailhead. Class will begin at 8:30am sharp. On the first day, please arrive 15 minutes early. Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iKgcEvvpNxckv97B7

What to Bring: Flora of Colorado by Jennifer Ackerfield; hand lens (10X or greater) available through https://conps.org/conps-store; daypack; bug spray; water; sack lunch; rain, sun, wind protection; personal restroom items.

Special Instructions: Please come prepared for moderate walking on hot, cold, windy, snowy or rainy days. Class will meet regardless of weather conditions.

Location Address: 205 Tunnel Drive, Canon City CO, 81212

Contact [email protected] with questions.

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NEW for 2025 Native Plant Master™ Field Courses!

As part of your enrollment in a Native Plant Master™ Field Course, you will receive a link to two online preparatory courses. These prep courses will prepare you for your in-person field course. They are optional but strongly encouraged.

Course Descriptions:

Basic Field Botany & Native Plants Class:
The class primarily focuses on developing a basic understanding of botanical terms and features that will help you identify plants in the field. The course also provides a high-level overview of how plants are scientifically classified, fostering a deeper understanding of how you will communicate about and identify them effectively.

Native Plant Identification and Keying Class:
This class is all about identifying native plants! You will begin by focusing on the key characteristics of some of Colorado’s plant families - a starting point for learning native plant genera and species – which is the identity and name of the plant you are studying; and you will learn how to use a dichotomous key—a series of “either-or” questions designed to guide you to the correct identity of a plant. The dichotomous key is the heart of the Native Plant Master™ courses and developing this skill will enhance your experience with your course. To offer practical experiences, this course includes an interactive dichotomous key for hands-on practice in identifying plants.

Special Note:
You will need to navigate to the online registration using the link provided by your county coordinator after you’re registered for the in-person Native Plant Master™ field course. These online courses open in March, so the link will be sent in March. After registering for the online classes, please allow at least 30 minutes to receive email confirmation and login credentials. Be sure to check your SPAM folder for the login information.

Please note that there are no refunds for open entry courses.

Host or Publisher Colorado State University Extension: El Paso County