Summary: This issue focuses on conservation advocacy, botanical exploration, and public education. Members are encouraged to remain engaged in the Piceance Basin planning process as the Society challenges inadequate protections for rare plant communities and vegetation remnants threatened by development and grazing. Bill Jennings’ continuing series on native orchids documents searches for elusive species near the Colorado-New Mexico border and reexamines historical records that broaden understanding of orchid distributions within the state. The newsletter also presents a thoughtful examination of aspen ecology and logging practices, promotes horticultural workshops featuring native plants, and highlights chapter activities designed to expand botanical knowledge and member involvement.

Plant Species: Plant species mentioned in this issue include Malaxis ehrenbergii, Malaxis macrostachya, Malaxis monophyllos, Goodyera oblongifolia, Corallorhiza spp., Spiranthes cernua, Spiranthes magnicamporum, Listera borealis, Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides), Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis), Western Wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), Wild Ryes (Elymus spp.), Needlegrasses (Stipa spp.), Bromus spp., Penstemon spp., Beardless Bluebunch Wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum var. inerme), and Junegrass (Koeleria cristata).

Keywords: Piceance Basin, Bureau of Land Management, Resource Management Plan, rare plant conservation, vegetation remnants, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Research Natural Areas, public participation, grazing impacts, native orchids, orchid surveys, orchid distribution, Bill Jennings, aspen ecology, aspen logging, climax forests, fire history, horticultural workshops, native landscaping, Denver Botanic Gardens, Penstemon, water conservation, chapter meetings, membership engagement, botanical education, conservation advocacy, native plant appreciation, and stewardship of native ecosystems.

Summary: This issue focuses on grassroots conservation advocacy, encouraging members to support the protection of rare plant habitats threatened by federal land management decisions in southwestern Colorado and the Piceance Basin. The Society mobilizes members to submit comments and attend hearings to advocate for Areas of Critical Environmental Concern and Research Natural Areas protecting unique plant communities. The newsletter also promotes an active season of field trips and educational workshops, including botanical exploration at Brainard Lake and revegetation tours. Additional articles provide updates on endangered plant species, important new botanical publications, and ongoing progress toward completion of the West Slope Flora.

Plant Species: Plant species mentioned in this issue include Lupinus crassus, Psoralea aromatica, Erigeron kachinensis, Hilaria jamesii, Oryzopsis hymenoides, Stipa comata, Oenothera kleinii, Pedicularis spp., Mertensia spp., marsh marigolds, Equisetum spp., scarlet gilia, Castilleja spp., Potentilla spp., Lupinus spp., Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Chimaphila umbellata, Gaultheria humifusa, Kalmia polifolia, Moneses uniflora, Pyrola asarifolia, Pyrola minor, Pyrola chlorantha, Ramischia secunda, Vaccinium caespitosum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium scoparium, Listera cordata, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Lloydia serotina, Mitella spp., Primula parryi, Gouania hillebrandii, Kokia drynarioides, Styrax texana, Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis, Astragalus spp., Carex spp., Draba spp., Aquilegia spp., cacti, and succulents.

Keywords: San Juan Resource Area, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Research Natural Areas, Coyote Wash, East Paradox Creek, Spring Creek, Piceance Basin, Citizens’ Alternative, Bureau of Land Management, rare plant conservation, endangered species, Colorado Natural Heritage Inventory, field trips, Brainard Lake, Lost Creek–Tarryall Mountains, High Altitude Revegetation Tour, dryland perennials, native landscaping, endangered plant updates, Colorado butterfly plant, West Slope Flora, Yampa Valley Chapter, botanical publications, native plant education, wilderness advocacy, revegetation, public hearings, citizen action, environmental planning, and stewardship of native ecosystems.

Summary: This issue emphasizes botanical education, field observation, and recognition of the individuals who strengthened the Society’s conservation mission. A field trip report from Rampart Range Road documents the diversity of montane and subalpine flora encountered by participants and underscores the value of firsthand experience in learning plant identification and ecology. The annual meeting featured an extensive program on Colorado’s native orchids, combining geological history, orchid distribution, and species accounts to deepen members’ understanding of these specialized plants. Additional articles encourage careful observation in the field through a discussion of western slope paintbrushes, while Society awards recognize outstanding contributions to conservation, botanical illustration, vegetation science, and organizational leadership.

Plant Species: Plant species mentioned in this issue include Viola renifolia, Calypso bulbosa, Lysiella obtusata, Adoxa moschatellina, Androsace septentrionalis, Antennaria rosea, Antennaria pulcherrima, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Caltha leptosepala, Corydalis aurea, Erigeron compositus, Fragaria spp., Lonicera involucrata, Luzula parviflora, Mertensia lanceolata, Penstemon spp., Petasites sagittata, Polygonum bistortoides, Pseudocymopterus montanus, Pulsatilla patens, Ranunculus spp., Scutellaria brittonii, Senecio spp., Thlaspi montanum, Valeriana capitata, duckweed, water crowfoot, Castilleja chromosa, and Castilleja scabrida.

Keywords: field trip reports, Rampart Range Road, montane flora, subalpine flora, native orchids, Orchidaceae, annual meeting, orchid distribution, orchid evolution, geological history, plant identification, habitat relationships, western slope paintbrushes, William A. Weber, field observation, ecological distinctions, Colorado National Monument, Intermountain Flora, botanical education, citizen science, Society awards, Special Merit Award, Honorary Life Membership, Colorado Natural Heritage Inventory, vegetation classification, botanical illustration, volunteer leadership, chapter activities, member engagement, and stewardship of native ecosystems.