Summary: This issue of Aquilegia focuses on practical conservation action, citizen science, and advocacy for Colorado’s native flora. Members are invited to participate in the annual meeting centered on threatened habitats and conservation tools while contributing research presentations, nominations, and recognition of outstanding service. The newsletter highlights the volunteer-driven Adopt a Rare Plant Program, urgent calls to defend protections for rare species under proposed changes to federal policies, and opportunities to assist with invasive species control and botanical surveys. A featured article documents the discovery of new populations of the rare Aletes humilis in Boulder County, illustrating the value of dedicated fieldwork. Extensive field trip offerings, historical botanical reflections, and updates on endangered species legislation reinforce the Society’s commitment to scientific stewardship, public engagement, habitat preservation, and the protection of Colorado’s botanical diversity.

Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Penstemon grahamii, Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweet clover), Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies’-tresses orchid), Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis (Colorado butterfly weed), Alnus tenuifolia, Anticlea virescens, Anticlea elegans, Aletes humilis (Larimer aletes), Aletes acaulis, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga, Pinus flexilis, Jamesia, Ribes, Juniperus communis, Heuchera, Geranium, Potentilla fissa, Potentilla effusa, Potentilla rupincola, Parnassia spp. (grass-of-Parnassus), cottonwoods, Russian olive, leafy spurge, Geranium caespitosum, corn lily, bluebells, Thurber fescue, snow willow, arctic gentians, alpine forget-me-nots, sky pilots, primrose, Oxyria digyna, Adenolinum lewisii, Carex rostrata, Crassula aquatica, Pellaea wrightiana, Cheilanthes eatonii, Asplenium septentrionale, Philadelphus microphyllus, Fallugia paradoxa, golden columbine, scarlet penstemon, blue penstemon, Gilia aggregata, spiraeas, Castilleja spp., Abronia fragrans, Mirabilis multiflora, Thamnosma texana, Abutilon parviflorum, Allionia incarnata, Mirabilis oxybaphoides, Monarda, Rosa arkansana, Erigeron spp., Astragalus spp., clovers, Cypripedium spp., iris, lilies, larkspurs, Mertensia, thistles, phlox, Senecio spp., and saxifrages.

Keywords: threatened habitats, conservation tools, annual meeting, conservation advocacy, rare plants, citizen science, volunteer monitoring, Adopt a Rare Plant Program, Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act, habitat protection, invasive species management, yellow sweet clover control, botanical surveys, biological diversity, ecological restoration, wetland ecology, peatlands, riparian ecology, alpine wetlands, alpine flora, field studies, field trips, native plant identification, conservation priorities, species monitoring, plant ecology, botanical history, herbarium records, public engagement, awards and recognition, environmental policy, rare species recovery, habitat fragmentation, stewardship, education, and Colorado native flora.

Summary: This issue of Aquilegia explores the intersection of botanical discovery, conservation policy, and public education. The lead article documents the rediscovery and validation of Penstemon versicolor, restoring a forgotten Arkansas Valley endemic to Colorado’s botanical record through field investigation and herbarium research. Additional features examine the ecological impacts of an unusually wet growing season on the Pawnee National Grasslands, highlighting both invasive mustard expansions and noteworthy native plant observations. The newsletter raises concern over federal policy changes affecting Category 2 candidate species under the Endangered Species Act and their implications for rare plant conservation. Extensive coverage of upcoming workshops reflects the Society’s commitment to botanical education, plant identification skills, and volunteer engagement. Society news, memorial tributes, research funding opportunities, and recommended botanical resources further emphasize the importance of citizen participation in understanding and protecting Colorado’s native flora.

Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Penstemon versicolor, Penstemon angustifolius, Penstemon secundiflorus, Mirabilis rotundifolia, Asclepias uncialis, Botrychium multifidum (leathery grapefern), Eutrema penlandii, Cleome multicaulis, Descurainia sophia, Descurainia pinnata, Sisymbrium altissimum, Conringia orientalis, Rorippa sinuata, Thelypodium integrifolium, Vulpia octoflora, Anisantha tectorum, Spartina pectinata, Spartina gracilis, Potamogeton diversifolius, Erigeron lonchophyllus, Elatine triandra, Heteranthera limosa, Pediomelum hypogaeum, Sisyrinchium idahoense var. occidentale, Schoenoplectus pungens, Schoenoplectus saximontanus, Carex aurea, Psilochenia runcinata, Eustoma grandiflorum, Centaurium pulchellum, Ammannia robusta, Artemisia absinthium, Packera tridenticulata, Thelesperma filifolium, Calvatia gigantea, Trifolium nanum, Tetraneuris acaulis, Rydbergia grandiflora, Yucca spp., Nolina texana, Oonopsis spp., Stenotus spp., Tonestus spp., Isocoma spp., Pyrrocoma spp., Sullivantia hapemanii, and Oxybaphus rotundifolius.

Keywords: Penstemon taxonomy, Arkansas Valley endemics, botanical rediscovery, native plant conservation, rare plant research, Pawnee National Grasslands, invasive species, mustard invasion, riparian habitats, ephemeral ponds, floristic surveys, Endangered Species Act, Category 2 species, conservation policy, Natural Heritage Programs, botanical education, plant identification, workshops, herbarium studies, citizen science, ecological restoration, research grants, John Marr Fund, volunteer engagement, native flora appreciation, taxonomic revision, botanical literature, field investigations, plant morphology, workshop programming, environmental advocacy, biodiversity documentation, species monitoring, conservation awareness, and Colorado native plants.