Colorado Native Plant Society
February 12, 2023 E-news Edition

Photo Credit: Sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia) and gilia beardtongue (Penstemon ambiguus), Jim Locklear

CoNPS Webinar

The Sandsage Prairie of Colorado:
A Biodiversity Hotspot Hiding in Plain Sight

Saturday, February 18, 2023; 9:30 am – 12:00 noon
Webinar Presenter: Jim Locklear, M.S.

Sandsage prairie is an ecological system unique to the central and southern Great Plains. A blend of grassland and shrubland with sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia) the signature species, sandsage prairie occurs in discontinuous tracts across eight states in association with dune fields and other areas of sandy habitat. Colorado has more sandsage prairie than any other state, an estimated two million acres on the eastern plains. This overlooked and underappreciated ecological system hosts a surprisingly high level of biological diversity, including many regionally-endemic plants and animals, ecological specialists, and species of conservation concern. Sandsage prairie is particularly important to avian ecology in the Great Plains, with 14 species of endemic or obligate grassland birds utilizing it for breeding and/or foraging habitat. The aim of this introductory webinar is to raise awareness of the importance of sandsage prairie as a biodiversity refuge and hotspot for Colorado and the Great Plains.

CoNPS Marr & Steinkamp Grants
Deadline February 15th

The John W. Marr Fund of the Colorado Native Plant Society supports research on the biology of Colorado native plants and plant communities. Grant awards are generally $1,000 or less. The Society’s funding may represent the sole support of a project, may be part of joint funding agreed upon with other granting organizations, or may be used to supplement other funding obtained independently.

The Myrna P. Steinkamp Memorial Fund of the Colorado Native Plant Society supports research on the biology of Colorado rare native plants. Grant awards are generally $1,000 or less. The Society’s funding may represent the sole support of a project, may be part of joint funding agreed upon with other granting organizations, or may be used to supplement other funding obtained independently.

Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference

February 25

Upcoming Chapter Events

San Luis Valley Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, February 14th, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Joint meeting of the Grants and Scholarships Committee
Thursday, February 16th, 8:00am-9:00am

CoNPS Office Hours and Bookstore
Thursday, February 16th, 9:00am-11:00am

Plateau Chapter Meeting
Thursday, February 16th, 7:00pm-8:30pm

SE Chapter Phelan Gardens TGIF
Friday February 17th, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Boulder Chapter Volunteer at Harlequin’s Gardens
Saturday February 18th, 10:00am-12:00pm

San Luis Valley Chapter Winter Botany Hike
Sunday February 19th, 10:00am-2:00pm

Joint meeting of the Education and Horticulture Committees
Monday, February 20th, 8:00am-9:00am

SE Chapter Virtual Meeting: Citizen Science Talk
Tuesday February 21st, 6:00pm-8:00pm

CoNPS Virtual Office Hours
Thursday February 23rd, 9:00am-11:00am

Everyone is invited, regardless of chapter affiliation.

Featured Blog: Peatland Seeps in Northwest Colorado

Last summer a three-person crew working with the Colorado Natural Heritage surveyed wetlands statewide on the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado holdings. Read this account of the crew’s amazing discoveries of peatlands in unexpected places, wildflowers in abundance, and muddy encounters involving boots and tools. Learn more about the importance of seeps and about the ongoing work to protect valuable habitats around them.