Location:     Rocky Mountain Field Seminar & Conference Center

                        1895 Fall River Road, Estes Park, Colorado

Time:  8:30 AM-12:30 PM   

Course Description:  Join key members of Rocky Mountain National Park’s Vegetation Management Program for a half-day Native Plant Seminar.  Focus will be placed upon important characteristics of several native plant species specific to this geographical region and their habitats. A Rocky Mountain National Park greenhouse and nursery tour will be provided, showcasing propagation and transplanting techniques.  Participants will have the opportunity to transplant several native plants to be used in upcoming restoration projects. 

Course Level:  I

Indoor classroom in accessible building

Instructor Biography (additional information available at www.rmna.org):

Scott graduated in 2001 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in conservation biology and botany with an emphasis on plant ecology.  He is currently a restoration ecologist in Rocky Mountain National Park, working on restoring disturbed lands, though he has worked in the vegetation management branch at Rocky since 2003.  He was recently published in Biochemical Systematics and Ecology for work on aspen ecology. Scott is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ecology from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.

Expectations:  Professional conduct will be expected from participants at all times.  Individual ideas will be respected.  Except during course breaks, cellular phones, pagers, and personal entertainment devices are strictly prohibited in the classroom and during field sessions.

Car-pooling:  Rocky Mountain Field Seminars courses utilize car-pooling to limit vehicles traveling into the Park.  Car-pooling makes it easier to keep the group together, reduces transit time, and allows courses greater access because fewer parking spaces are required at destinations.  In addition, it provides an opportunity for participants to discuss course material in small groups during transit.  Typically, a few participants from each course volunteer the use of their vehicles for car-pooling to course locations.

Tentative Course Schedule:

8:30 AM-9:30 AM      Classroom instruction on native plants of Rocky Mountain National Park: Discussion on life zones, native plant species used in restoration projects (and their ecological characteristics), native plant propagation and restoration techniques, and current restoration projects occurring throughout the Park

9:30 AM- 10:00 AM   Drive to Park Greenhouse/Restrooms

10:00 AM-12:30 PM   Greenhouse orientation and transplanting session: Tour of Rocky Mountain National Park’s native plant greenhouse and nursery facility.  Participants will have the opportunity to transplant native plants for use in upcoming restoration projects. 

What to Bring: 

·         Dress appropriately for working in the dirt.  No open-toed shoes, please.

·         Snacks

·         Water

Note:  Rocky Mountain Field Seminars recommends that participants for all courses dress in layers and wear comfortable, sturdy hiking boots/shoes.  Participants should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions.