DAWSON BUTTE RANCH 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 Native Plant Master, amateur naturalist, volunteer with the Douglas County Open Space, serves on the DLC (Douglas Land Conservancy) Board, and often leads hikes for DLC at Dawson Butte.

Lucinda Greene is a Native Plant Master trainer and was the previous program coordinator for the Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master program serving Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert counties.

Gregor MacGregor is a Native Plant Master, community naturalist, water and agricultural attorney, and professor of environmental and natural resources policy at the University of Colorado.

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 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 Open 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:

Take the Plum Creek Exit west and head south five miles on the frontage road; go right/west at Tomah Rd. 1.5 miles to the Dawson Butte Ranch 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 park 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 24 from 11:30am-1:00pm. Details will be sent after registering.

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.

2025 NPM Course-Dawson Butte Open Space - June 17, 19 & 26; 9:00am-1:00pm