Wednesday, June 18

2025 NPM Course at Aurora Reservoir - June 18, 25, & July 2; 7:30am-12:00pm

Join us for a Native Plant Master Course at beautiful Aurora Reservoir! You will learn about 45+ Colorado native plants at this location.

By Native Plant Master Program - Foothills to Plains

Date and time

June 18 · 7:30am - July 2 · 12pm MDT

Location

5800 S Powhaton Rd, Aurora, CO 80016

5800 S Powhaton Rd Aurora, CO 80016

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

About this event

Event lasts 14 days 4 hours

The month of June at Aurora Reservoir brings great diversity. With nearly 1,000 acres of open space surrounding 800 acres of water, this class provides the opportunity to learn a variety of upland, facultative, and obligate riparian-wetland plant species. Class hikes will be 2-3 miles round trip on a combination of concrete path and gravel trail. Participant entry fees for the Aurora Reservoir are waived compliments of the city of Aurora Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Department.

Aurora Reservoir For more info on this location, click here.

TRAINERS:

Fendi Despres-Naturalist Fendi Despres is a Natural Resource Specialist for the city of Aurora Open Space & Forestry 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 Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Colorado.

Eric Watts-Eric Watts is the city of Aurora Open Space & Forestry 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.

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:

Participants will meet at the Senac Creek Nature Center located in the Aurora Reservoir main plaza. Parking is located in the Upper Lot. Early arrival to the site is necessary in order to have time to park, walk to the plaza, and be prepared to begin hiking promptly at 7:30am.

Address:

Aurora Reservoir

5800 S. Powhaton Rd.

Aurora, CO 80016

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 hike can 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.

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.

Organized by

Native Plant Master Program - Foothills to Plains

The Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master Program offers classes in Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties. We offer different ways to engage and learn about native plants, local ecosystems, and natural resources with courses geared for novice to advanced learners.

If you are new to learning about native plants, consider signing up for a one-day class. Topics may include: introduction to native plants, botany and common plant families, keying practicums, soil chemistry and watershed health, weed walks, and build your own native plant and pollinator garden.

To develop a deeper understanding of native plants, we offer full 12-hour Native Plant Master (NPM) courses that may be counted toward a Native Plant Master Certificate.

Training

Native Plant Master (NPM) courses are offered at various open spaces, state parks, and other public natural areas. Each NPM course is a 12-hour commitment made up of three, four-hour sessions that meet weekly. NPM courses are taught in the field using living examples of the native flora in Colorado. Each course offers a perspective on the local ecosystem and plant life. Topics for each course include:

Session 1: Plant identification with an emphasis on scientific names, families and use of a botanical key.
Session 2: Ecological relationships, including non-native plants.
Session 3: Landscape, food and other human uses.

Native Plant Master Certificate

To become certified as a Native Plant Master, complete 36 hours of field training in three NPM courses. Classes may be taken in any county. Upon successfully completing the training, participants are awarded the Native Plant Master certification.

For more information, visit the Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master Program website.

You can also sign up to receive notifications about future class offering here. For questions on specific classes, please email Dawn Fradkin at dfradkin@arapahoegov.com.

Colorado State University Extension provides information and education and encourages the application of research-based knowledge in response to local, state and national issues affecting individuals, youth, families, agricultural enterprises and communities of Colorado. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. If you have a disability for which you seek accommodation, please notify dfradkin@arapahoegov.com at least 30 days before the event.

$161.90