2024 NPM Wildflower Walk at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - May 16 9:00-12:00pm

2024 NPM Wildflower Walk at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - May 16 9:00-12:00pm

This Foothills to Plains NPM Wildflower Walk at Cherokee Ranch & Castle will study an array of fantastic flowering native plants.

By Native Plant Master Program - Foothills to Plains

Date and time

Thursday, May 16 · 9am - 12pm MDT

Location

Cherokee Ranch & Castle

6113 North Daniels Park Road Sedalia, CO 80135

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

About this event

  • 3 hours

Cherokee Ranch and Castle is a private property with an elegant and interesting castle and over 3000 acres of rolling hills, forest, and meadows with spectacular views. This Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master Wildflower Walk is geared towards both beginning and advanced native plant enthusiasts. This fun and informal walk will include a review basic botany concepts and emphasize plant families, so prior knowledge in these areas is helpful but not required. Students will see an array of fantastic flowering native plants on short trails with some uneven footing. Hiking poles advised for those unsteady on their feet, but not usually required.

Please note: This wildflower walk does not count towards a Native Plant Master certificate

TRAINERS:

Lenore Mitchell has been a NPM trainer since 2006. Her previous endeavors include: Master Gardener through Jeffco, Docent at Mt. Goliath through DBG, Volunteer Naturalist at Roxborough State Park, and Metro Chapter President of CoNPS (Colorado Native Plant Society)

Cyntha Rohan - This is her 9th year being a Master Gardner and 3rd for NPM. She loves sharing and discovering new Native Plants in areas that she has not seen before and enjoys sharing new and old discoveries with interested plant nerds.

Colleen Greenan- Colleen has been a Colorado Master Gardener for 9 years and a NPM for 3 years. She enjoys learning about native plants and sharing that knowledge with others

NATIVE PLANT MASTER: This wildflower walk does not count towards a Native Plant Master certificate. Please see our other 3-day NPM certification courses if you would like to become a certified Native Plant Master. Learn more about Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master program here.

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Cherokee Ranch & Castle is located at 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135. Please arrive no later than 9:00 am. Upon entering property, follow wide dirt road for 2 miles at 20 MPH (watch for wild turkeys & other wildlife!). Drive past the small ranch house and just before main paved parking lot (castle will be in view) turn right at “Picnic House” sign, drive short distance to parking area near building. Restrooms available. Please allow sufficient driving time, as class begins at 9:30 am sharp.

DIRECTIONS From central Denver: Take Interstate 25 South exit 188/Castle Pines Parkway. Turn right and continue until Castle Pines Parkway ends. Turn left on Daniels Park Road and continue for 1.6 miles. Our entrance is on the right.

DIRECTIONS From west Denver: Take Colorado Highway 85 south past Sedalia. Turn left on Daniels Park Road. Our entrance is 1.3 miles ahead on the left. See map.

WHAT TO BRING: Daypack, water, hand lens, snack, rain gear, sun and wind protection, 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.

ADDITIONAL INFO: Since this is private property, NPM students are allowed entry ONLY during the class session. Students will not be allowed inside the Castle. Restrooms available near the castle and possibly near the picnic house. (Click here to sign up for tours or other events). All participants will need to fill out a CRC Land Liability Waiver and bring to the first class. We will send the form to you before the class and after you register and pay. The class is $10 and there will also be an extra access fee for this property of $20 for this 1-day course, which covers staff and maintenance costs for Cherokee Ranch.

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.

 

 

$30