Native Plant Master
Denver Botanic Gardens, City of Aurora Open Space & Natural Resources, and CSU Extension's Native Plant Master Program are cosponsoring a Native Plant Master* course at the Plains Conservation Center. Experience the wide-open prairies of Colorado while learning about native and alien plants that live there. During three outdoor field sessions, learn common and scientific names, ecological relationships and human uses of 40-50 plants. Develop skills in using family features and a botanical key to identify plants. Course includes special emphasis on natives useful for landscaping and alien invasives that threaten native ecosystems. Be prepared for moderately strenuous walking in hot, cold, windy, rainy or snowy conditions. This 12 hour class counts toward one third of the 36 hour certification requirement and immerses you in Colorado’s diverse plant communities.
Required Textbooks and Materials:
Text: Flora of Colorado by Jennifer Ackerfield. The course is taught from the newest 2022 2nd edition.
Materials: A hand lens or loupe (approximately 10x.)
Date(s) and Time(s):
Price: $150 public
Location: Plains Conservation Center
Special instructions, requests or notes:
Trainers:
Eric Watts, Native Plant Master Trainer & Open Spaces Superintendent, City of Aurora
Fendi Despres, Native Plant Master Train
Fendi Despres is a Natural Resource Specialist for the city of Aurora Open Space & Natural Resources Division and regularly leads a wide variety of guided hikes and interpretive programs. Fendi is a CSU Extension Native Plant Master trainer, a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation and holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Colorado.
Eric Watts is the city of Aurora Open Space & Natural Resources Division Superintendent overseeing maintenance and operations for 8,000+ acres of open space, 80+ miles of trail, 3 nature centers, and 2 recreational reservoirs. Eric is a CSU Extension Native Plant Master trainer as well as a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation.