Summary: This issue of Aquilegia reflects on a year of growth and accomplishment for the Colorado Native Plant Society while highlighting current conservation challenges and educational opportunities. The newsletter reviews chapter activities, research grants, workshops, outreach initiatives, and the Society’s expanding role in native plant advocacy. A featured scientific article examines the effects of wildfire and postfire rehabilitation treatments on understory plant communities following the Hayman Fire, offering insights into restoration practices and species responses. Additional articles promote plant education through workshops and the Native Plant Master Program, celebrate botanical literature, and report on efforts to secure protection for the rare Graham’s beardtongue. Together, these pieces emphasize the importance of research, public engagement, stewardship, and collaboration in conserving Colorado’s native flora.

Plant Species: Plant species mentioned in this issue include Penstemon degeneri, Sclerocactus mesae-verdae, round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor), Carex leptalea, Carex limosa, Carex livida, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex buxbaumii, Eriophorum gracile, Juncus filiformis, leathery grapefern (Botrychium multifidum), Azaleastrum albiflorum, marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre), bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), lady’s slipper orchids (Cypripedium spp.), Uinta Basin hookless cactus, De Beque phacelia (Phacelia submutica), De Beque milkvetch (Astragalus debilis), barley (Hordeum vulgare), triticale (Triticosecale rimpaui), dotted blazing star (Liatris punctata), nodding onion (Allium cernuum), small-leaf pussytoes (Antennaria parvifolia), Fendler’s rockcress (Arabis fendleri), white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), Ross’ sedge (Carex rossii), Fremont’s goosefoot (Chenopodium fremontii), narrowleaf goosefoot (Chenopodium leptophyllum), hairy goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa), prairie bluebells (Mertensia lanceolata), mountain muhly (Muhlenbergia montana), Fendler’s ragwort (Packera fendleri), bigflower cinquefoil (Potentilla fissa), mullein (Verbascum thapsus), soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), Rocky Mountain Indian parsley (Aletes anisatus), jeweled blazing star (Mentzelia speciosa), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris), and Graham’s beardtongue (Penstemon grahamii).

Keywords: year in review, conservation advocacy, wildfire ecology, postfire rehabilitation, restoration practices, understory vegetation, native plant research, research grants, rare plant monitoring, endangered species protection, botanical education, outreach programs, Native Plant Master Program, plant identification, workshops, chapter activities, ecological stewardship, habitat restoration, noxious weeds, invasive species, native plant literature, public engagement, volunteerism, field studies, species monitoring, community science, native flora conservation, and environmental education.

Summary: This annual meeting edition of Aquilegia focuses on the unique flora and ecological communities of southeastern Colorado while celebrating the Colorado Native Plant Society’s thirtieth anniversary. The issue outlines the annual meeting program and Rare Plant Symposium, featuring presentations on chalk barren endemics, grassland ecology, orchid surveys, reforestation impacts, and alpine flora. A featured scientific article examines the ecological consequences of catastrophic blowdown, salvage logging, and wildfire in Colorado subalpine forests, emphasizing how natural recovery processes differ from those in managed landscapes. Additional content includes research grant announcements, book reviews, conservation observations, chapter updates, and opportunities for members to participate in field trips, workshops, and statewide botanical activities that support the appreciation and conservation of Colorado’s native flora.

Plant Species: Plant species mentioned in this issue include Penstemon degeneri, Clustered Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), fireweed (Chamerion danielsii), Distegia involucrata, Richardson’s geranium (Geranium richardsonii), Parry’s goldenrod (Oreochrysum parryi), meadow rue (Thalictrum fendleri), Chlorocrepis gracilis, red sand-spurry (Spergularia rubra), heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia), Ross sedge (Carex rossii), willow (Salix spp.), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), mountain ball cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii), evening primrose (Oenothera strigosa), and references to alpine plant communities, chalk barren flora, grassland vegetation, and subalpine spruce-fir ecosystems.

Keywords: annual meeting, southeastern Colorado flora, Arkansas Basin, Rare Plant Symposium, rare plant conservation, chalk barrens, edaphic endemism, subalpine forests, blowdown ecology, salvage logging, wildfire ecology, ecosystem recovery, nutrient cycling, forest regeneration, understory diversity, alpine flora, grassland ecology, orchid surveys, reforestation impacts, plant taxonomy, botanical literature, research grants, climate change monitoring, biodiversity conservation, field trips, chapter activities, native plant education, conservation stewardship, and botanical community engagement.

Summary: This edition of Aquilegia focuses on the Colorado Native Plant Society’s annual meeting and ongoing efforts to advance native plant conservation through research, education, and public engagement. Highlights include a review of the 2006 Annual Meeting centered on the flora of southeastern Colorado, updates from the Rare Plant Symposium examining imperiled G2 species, recommendations for wildflower identification resources, a conservation survey documenting the endemic Townsendia glabella at Mesa Verde National Park, and announcements of upcoming workshops and educational opportunities. The issue reflects the Society’s commitment to protecting Colorado’s botanical diversity through collaboration, field research, citizen education, and fostering appreciation for the state’s unique native flora.

Plant Species: Plant species and groups mentioned in this issue include Townsendia glabella, Townsendia incana, Eriogonum pelinophilum, Penstemon grahamii, Lesquerella congesta, Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis, Draba weberi, Spiranthes diluvialis, Asclepias uncialis, Cleome multicaulis, Delphinium ramosum var. alpestre, Delphinium robustum, Draba exunguiculata, Draba grayana, Draba smithii, Grindelia inornata, Herrickia horrida, Lesquerella calcicola, Nuttallia chrysantha, Nuttallia densa, Oenothera harringtonii, Oonopsis foliosa var. monocephala, Oonopsis puebloensis, Oxybaphus rotundifolius, Penstemon degeneri, Ptilagrostis porteri, Telesonix jamesii, Botrychium species, piñon pine (Pinus edulis), Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis), sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), twin bladderpod (Physaria acutifolia), Fort Wingate milkvetch (Astragalus wingatanus), Alyssum species, Ipomopsis polyantha, chokecherry, Virgin’s bower, Potentilla species, Drymocallis, Comarum, wheatgrasses, wildryes, barleys, conifers, orchids, ferns, lichens, Papaver radicatum subsp. kluanensis, and Parnassia kotzebuei.

Keywords: annual meeting, southeastern Colorado flora, rare plant symposium, rare plant conservation, conservation status assessment, G2 species, botanical surveys, endemic plants, Mesa Verde National Park, population mapping, census studies, native plant education, wildflower identification, field botany, wildflower guides, Colorado flora, native landscaping, wildscaping, habitat restoration, wildlife gardening, microscopy, plant morphology, gymnosperms, grass identification, Potentilla identification, plant taxonomy, DNA barcoding, herbarium collections, Native Plant Master program, workshops, botanical outreach, citizen science, and native plant appreciation