Summary: This issue of Aquilegia emphasizes the Colorado Native Plant Society’s expanding role in education, stewardship, and advocacy through its newly revised mission statement, extensive field programming, and support for botanical research. A featured article details the discovery of several previously undocumented fern species and significant orchid populations during a survey of the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountains, highlighting the importance of field exploration and research funding. Readers are also introduced to engaging reviews of books on pollination biology, opportunities to participate in citizen science and volunteer initiatives, and an ambitious schedule of workshops and field trips designed to deepen appreciation of Colorado’s native flora. The edition reflects CoNPS’s commitment to connecting scientific discovery with public involvement to promote the conservation of Colorado’s native plants and habitats.

Plant Species: Evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa), reflective moonwort (Botrychium echo), Mingan moonwort (Botrychium minganense), common moonwort (Botrychium neolunaria), St. John’s moonwort (Botrychium pinnatum), spatulate moonwort (Botrychium spathulatum), moosewort moonwort (Botrychium tunux), western moonwort (Botrychium hesperium), lanceleaf moonwort (Botrychium lanceolatum), green spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes ssp. ramosum), grass fern (Asplenium septentrionale), maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), zigzag cliff brake (Argyrochosma fendleri), slender lip fern (Cheilanthes feei), Fendler’s lip fern (Cheilanthes fendleri), parsley fern (Cryptogramma acrostichoides), slender rock brake (Cryptogramma stelleri), fragile fern (Cystopteris fragilis), Reeves fern (Cystopteris reevesiana), male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), common scouring rush (Equisetum hyemale), smooth scouring rush (Equisetum laevigatum), mountain polypody (Polypodium saxamontanum), crowded spikemoss (Selaginella densa), blunted spikemoss (Selaginella mutica), Underwood’s spikemoss (Selaginella underwoodii), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum ssp. pubescens), western cliff fern (Woodsia oregana ssp. cathartiana), mountain cliff fern (Woodsia neomexicana), fairyslipper orchid (Calypso bulbosa), spotted coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata), striped coralroot (Corallorhiza striata), green coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida), Wister’s coralroot (Corallorhiza wisteriana), yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum ssp. pubescens), chatterbox orchid (Epipactis gigantea), rattlesnake orchid (Goodyera oblongifolia), lesser rattlesnake orchid (Goodyera repens), green bog orchid (Platanthera huronensis), Platanthera purpurascens, Platanthera tescamnis, pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens), bluemist penstemon (Penstemon virens), limber pine (Pinus flexilis), Osterhout’s milkvetch (Astragalus osterhoutii), Penland penstemon (Penstemon penlandii), Middle Park penstemon (Penstemon cyathophorus), Harrington penstemon (Penstemon harringtonii), arctic gentians (Gentiana spp.), marsh marigold (Caltha leptosepala), barberry (Berberis fendleri), buckthorn (Rhamnus smithii), sphagnum moss (Sphagnum balticum), sego lily (Calochortus gunnisonii), scrub oak (Quercus gambelii), lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), claret cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), king’s crown (Rhodiola integrifolia), alpine chiming bells (Mertensia ciliata), Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium viscosum), bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva), dogbane (Apocynum spp.), columbine (Aquilegia spp.), rose (Rosa spp.), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), bee balm (Monarda spp.), anemone (Anemone spp.), lily (Lilium spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), monkshood (Aconitum spp.), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), sedum (Sedum spp.), St. John’s wort (Hypericum spp.), meadow rue (Thalictrum spp.), yucca (Yucca spp.), milkweed (Asclepias spp.), violet (Viola spp.), saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), agave (Agave spp.), protea (Protea spp.), willow (Salix spp.), linden (Tilia spp.), Himalayan border jewel (Polygonum affine), and Iliamna grandiflora.

Keywords: mission statement, habitat conservation, native plant advocacy, botanical research, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Wet Mountains, fern survey, orchid survey, moonworts, rare orchids, pollination biology, botanical illustration, book reviews, pollinator education, Colorado Native Plant Master Program, wetland plant field guide, volunteer opportunities, citizen science, field trips, native plant identification, plant ecology, sustainable landscaping, invasive weeds, alpine flora, rare plants, endangered species, restoration, grass identification, bird-plant relationships, hummingbird gardening, iron fens, native habitats, stewardship, environmental education, public outreach, research grants, plant photography, conservation partnerships, and community engagement.

Summary: This issue of Aquilegia emphasizes the Colorado Native Plant Society’s renewed commitment to conservation advocacy, citizen engagement, and education. A featured essay by the new Conservation Committee Chair outlines priorities including rare plant protection, stewardship of imperiled plant communities, and opportunities for members to participate in conservation efforts. The newsletter encourages both professional and amateur botanists to contribute observations and advocacy on behalf of Colorado’s native flora. Additional highlights include research grant opportunities, reviews of books celebrating scientific observation and prairie ecology, workshops on plant identification, and a wide range of chapter programs addressing ethnobotany, wetland ecology, restoration, therapeutic gardens, and rare plant monitoring. Collectively, the issue reflects CoNPS’s mission of fostering appreciation, scientific inquiry, and active stewardship of Colorado’s diverse native plant heritage through community involvement and lifelong learning.

Plant Species: Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), New England blazing star (Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae), kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), arctic gentian (Gentiana algida), limber pine (Pinus flexilis), Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata), white pine species affected by blister rust, wild pinks and catchflys (family Caryophyllaceae), alpine cushion plants, pinion pine (Pinus edulis), wild plum (Prunus americana), cattail (Typha spp.), rabbitbrush (Ericameria/Chrysothamnus spp.), pincushion cactus (Escobaria spp.), wetland plants (more than 520 species referenced collectively), lichens, mosses, grasses, and native plants used in Arapaho traditional culture.

Keywords: conservation advocacy, Conservation Committee, rare plants, rare plant communities, citizen science, stewardship, endangered species protection, native plant conservation, invasive species, noxious weeds, habitat restoration, Colorado Endangered Species Act, public engagement, amateur botanists, field observations, rare plant monitoring, Mount Evans, mountain goats, Over The River Project, conservation policy, research grants, Marr Fund, Steinkamp Fund, botanical field notes, prairie ecology, book reviews, ethnobotany, Arapaho traditional culture, white pine blister rust, climate change, therapeutic gardens, pine ecology, edible wild plants, archaeological botany, wetland ecology, wetland field guide, electronic identification keys, chapter programs, workshops, outreach, volunteerism, and native plant education.