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Native Plant MasterTM
Program
Have you
always wanted to learn how to identify the beautiful plants that grow in
nature? Would you like to learn more about using them in your landscape? Would
you like to learn how to distinguish natives from noxious weeds? Become a
Native Plant Master!
Find out what's blooming and learn
more about some of your favorite plants in Colorado with a handy new tool, the
Colorado Plant
Database.
What is a Native Plant Master?
A Native Plant Master receives special training
and certification from Colorado State University Extension and then volunteers
to educate the public using information gained from the program. The Native
Plant Master program is also open to members of the
the
public who want to take courses but
prefer not
to volunteer. The mission of
the Native Plant Master Program is to educate the public about the biological
and human values of Colorado plants in order to foster stewardship and
sustainable use of plant resources.
Why you should become
a Native Plant Master
-
Learn fascinating plant
facts including landscape uses of Colorado natives and other human uses.
-
Discover how noxious weeds
threaten native plants and wildlife.
-
Learn how to use a key and
botanical field guide to identify wild plants.
-
Interact with others who
share your love of Colorado's native flora.
-
Be recognized for your
advanced knowledge with a certificate from Colorado State University
Extension.
Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone 21 years or older is eligible to apply
to take Native Plant Master courses.
To become a certified Native Plant Master,
applicants must meet the following qualifications:
·
For each course
taken, commit to teaching at least 20 people about Colorado plants by December
31 of that year.
·
Complete
quarterly reports on the number of public contacts made.
What training is provided?
Native
Plant Master courses are offered at various open space parks, State parks and
other public lands. No course is a required prerequisite for another course.
Each 12-hour course is made up of three, four-hour sessions taught on mornings
in May, June, July, August or September. There is a fee for each course. Courses
are offered at a reduced rate for participants who agree to teach at least 20
people per year about Colorado plants for each course taken.
What does each course cover?
Courses
are taught in the field using living examples of the native flora in Colorado.
Topics for the three sessions 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.
All
instructors are staff or volunteers of Colorado State University Extension with
extensive field experience in Colorado ecosystems. Courses are moderately
strenuous and may require walking on steep inclines for up to 2 miles on wet,
rough, and/or slippery footing during windy, cold, hot or rainy days.
How do you become certified
as a Native Plant Master?
To be
certified as a Native Plant Master, participants must take three courses in
different months and/or locations. If participants can't take all three courses
in one year, they may apply in future years to take courses still needed for
certification. After successfully completing three courses and the educational
contact requirement, participants are awarded the Native Plant Master
certification. Certification may be maintained by teaching at least 60 people
per year about native plants and reporting quarterly on those contacts.
Course Option.
Native
Plant courses are available to the general public. This option does not require
any educational contacts.
How do you apply?
Application process is required; registration is limited.
Applications are due by March 15 except for Boulder and Larimer Counties (call
the numbers listed in the chart below for deadline information). Follow the
instructions in the table below for a copy of the application including course
schedule.
What is CSU Extension?
The Native Plant Master Program is sponsored by Colorado State University
Extension. Extension is the outreach arm of CSU with branch offices in
most of Colorado's counties.
Jefferson County
CSU Extension empowers county citizens and enhances their quality of life
through education, innovation and excellence in service.
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