Summary: This field trip edition of Aquilegia highlights the Colorado Native Plant Society’s commitment to hands-on education, conservation, and community engagement through an extensive schedule of botanical excursions across the state. Featured outings focus on rare plant surveys, prairie restoration, lichen inventories, ethnobotany, wetland exploration, willow identification, wilderness weed monitoring, and volunteer stewardship projects. The issue also provides updates from the Board of Directors, including research funding initiatives, conservation guidelines, and the Society’s newly launched website. Additional announcements cover upcoming educational programs, publications, native plant resources, land conservation successes, and chapter activities. Together, these articles showcase CoNPS’s emphasis on combining scientific study, public participation, and conservation action to deepen appreciation for Colorado’s native flora and the ecosystems that support it.

Plant Species: Plant species, genera, and groups mentioned in this issue include lichens, Selaginella weatherbiana, Aletes humilis, Carex saximontana, Carex backii, Smilax lasioneura, Cryptantha cana, Astragalus gilviflorus, Tetraneuris alpinum, Lomatium nuttallii, Stipa comata, Bouteloua gracilis, Cercocarpus montanus, Bouteloua curtipendula, Schizachyrium scoparium, Salix amygdaloides, Psoralea esculenta, Comandra umbellata, Botrychium campestre, Azaleastrum albiflorum, Trillium ovatum, Cypripedium spp., Carex spp., Drosera rotundifolia, Potentilla rupincola, Potentilla effusa, Asplenium septentrionale, Astragalus linifolius, Cryptantha longiflora, Lomatium latilobum, Epipactis gigantea, Platanthera sparsiflora, Nasturtium officinale, Salvia aethiopsis, and Oxybaphus rotundifolius.

Keywords: field trips, rare plant surveys, prairie restoration, lichen inventories, ethnobotany, wetland ecology, wilderness stewardship, weed surveys, volunteer conservation, native plant identification, restoration ecology, land management, botanical education, chapter activities, board initiatives, research funding, John Marr Fund, conservation alerts, revegetation guidelines, native plant gardening, website development, open space preservation, public outreach, workshops, community science, natural history, and conservation partnerships.

Summary: This edition of Aquilegia centers on the relationship between people and plants through the lens of medicine, conservation, and stewardship. The issue highlights the Colorado Native Plant Society’s annual meeting devoted to the ancient, historical, and modern uses of medicinal plants, featuring discussions on herbal medicine, ethnobotany, wildcrafting, and the preservation of threatened medicinal species. Additional articles explore the ecological importance of Colorado’s fens and peatlands, emphasizing their rarity and vulnerability to disturbance, while practical guidance is offered for documenting plants through photography. Society updates report on conservation initiatives, research funding, volunteer opportunities, prairie restoration efforts, and the expanding role of native plants in education, horticulture, and public outreach. Collectively, the newsletter illustrates how scientific knowledge, community involvement, and responsible stewardship contribute to the appreciation and protection of Colorado’s native flora.

Plant Species: Plant species, genera, and groups mentioned in this issue include Ligusticum porteri (osha), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum spp.), Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies’-tresses orchid), grape ferns (Botrychium spp.), native grasses, sedges, rushes, wildflowers, alpine plants, arctic plants, medicinal herbs, and flowering plants of the ginseng family (Araliaceae).

Keywords: medicinal plants, herbal medicine, ethnobotany, wildcrafting, United Plant Savers, American ginseng, medicinal plant identification, peatlands, fens, bogs, wetland ecology, peat conservation, native plant photography, conservation policy, invasive species, prairie restoration, native landscaping, revegetation genetics, volunteerism, herbarium collections, board elections, research awards, outreach, education, chapter activities, workshops, field trips, and native plant stewardship.

Summary: This edition of Aquilegia highlights the Colorado Native Plant Society’s strong emphasis on botanical education, volunteer engagement, and organizational stewardship. Featured prominently are expanded workshop offerings covering plant identification, taxonomy, photography, and specialized plant families, reflecting growing interest among members. The newsletter also celebrates successful grassroots conservation efforts to protect the Louisville Prairie, encourages participation in educational outreach through partnerships with other organizations, and reports on Society initiatives ranging from research funding and conservation projects to preparations for future annual meetings. A lighthearted ethnobotanical holiday essay adds a cultural perspective, illustrating the many ways plants intersect with seasonal traditions and everyday life. Together, these articles demonstrate CoNPS’ commitment to advancing botanical knowledge, conserving Colorado’s native flora, and fostering an active, informed membership community.

Plant Species: Plant species, genera, and plant groups mentioned in this issue include willows (Salix spp.; including Salix amygdaloides), Polemoniaceae, ferns, Botrychium, Caryophyllaceae, Apiaceae, Silene, Paronychia, Cerastium, Sagina, Arenaria, Minuartia, squash (Cucurbita moschata), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), yam (Dioscorea trifida), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), spruce (Picea spp.), fir (Abies spp.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga spp.), holly (Ilex quercifolia), dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.), chestnut (Castanea sativa), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), corn (Zea mays), allspice (Pimenta dioica), black pepper (Piper nigrum), banana (Musa spp.), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), peppermint (Mentha × piperita), papaya (Carica papaya), pineapple (Ananas comosus), coffee (Coffea arabica), ginger (Zingiber officinale), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), annatto (Bixa orellana), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Fabaceae, and Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis).

Keywords: workshops, plant identification, taxonomy, willow ecology, Polemoniaceae, Colorado ferns, Caryophyllaceae, wildflower photography, ethnobotany, holiday traditions, native plant conservation, Louisville Prairie, prairie preservation, volunteer stewardship, invasive species management, purple loosestrife, research grants, John Marr Fund, chapter activities, botanical education, conservation partnerships, annual meeting planning, restoration, rare plant advocacy, community engagement, and native plant literature.