US-RUS Botanical Exchange Trip
Colorado/Utah 2015
Team Members:
David Gunn (Missouri Botanical Garden)
Mariel Tribby (Missouri Botanical Garden)
Mike Bone (Denver Botanic Garden)
Dr. Vladimir Shatko (Moscow Main Botanic Garden)
Sunday, July 19th
Denver, CO
Denver is located in the center of the Front Range Urban Corridor, between the Rocky Mountains to the west and the High Plains to the east. Denver's topography consists of plains in the city center with hilly areas to the north, west and south. According to the United States Census Bureau the city has a total area of 155 square miles (401 km2), of which 153 square miles (396 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (1.1%) is water.
Denver's nickname is the "Mile-High City", because its official elevation is one mile above sea level, defined by the elevation of the spot of a benchmark on the steps of the State Capitol building. The elevation of the entire city ranges from 5,130 to 5,690 feet (1,560 to 1,730 m).
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver, CO
The
mission of Denver Botanic Gardens is to connect people and plants, with an
emphasis on plants native to the Rocky Mountain region and similar climates
around the world. They have seven major plant collections, including the
Alpine, Amenity (plants of the Rocky Mountains and Plains), Aquatic, Cactus and
Succulents, Native (to Colorado), Steppe and Tropical collections. Denver’s
Alpine collection is part of the NAPCC and includes 223 taxa from all over the
world, with the most species in the genera Penstemon, Iris and Dianthus. The
Gardens’ Research and Conservation department also works to document and
preserve numerous rare plant species in the Rocky Mountain region.
Tuesday, July 21st
Pawnee National Grasslands
Weld County, CO
The Pawnee National Grassland lies 35 miles east of Fort Collins and 25 miles northeast of Greeley in Weld County. Contained within the 30-by-60 mile area are 193,060 acres managed by the Pawnee National Grassland.
The vegetation in northeastern Colorado is classified by The Nature Conservancy (1997) as the Central Short grass Prairie Eco region. This Eco region is the southern portion of the Great Plains-Palouse Dry Steppe Province of Bailey (1995). The term short grass steppe is perhaps the most appropriate word for the Pawnee National Grassland. The argument for this is that "steppe" (Russian for "step") has long been used as the name for similar grassland areas in Asia. For this reason Walter (1973) suggested that this name also be used for grasslands in the western hemisphere.
Wednesday, July 22nd
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Vail, CO
At an elevation of 8,250 feet, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is able to grow a wide array of alpine plants. The Gardens have the NAPCC collection of Colorado alpine flora, with 87 taxa. Many of these taxa are displayed in the Rocky Mountain Alpine Garden. Other gardens of interest at Betty Ford include the Saxifrage Garden, the International Alpine Crevice Garden, which includes plants collected from an expedition to the Andes, and the Himalayan Garden. The Gardens’ conservation and research efforts focus on alpine plants and environments, and include climate change monitoring, rare plant protection and seed banking. Peak bloom season is from June through August
Thursday, July 23rd
Gunnison Rare Plant Monitoring Site
Crested Butte, CO
The Research and Conservation department of Denver Botanic Gardens plays a critical role in the conservation, preservation, and documentation of native Colorado flora by serving as an active center of biodiversity research for the Southern Rocky Mountain region. Through our monitoring, survey, seed collection and documentation efforts, we are helping land managers understand the distribution and status of species found on their lands.
Our conservation genetics program is investigating diversity levels and patterns in some of our state’s rarest species. Our ethnobotanical and fungal collections are unique in the region and serve as educational hubs for the public. In collaboration with our partnering groups and agencies, we collect essential data for long-term understanding and management of species at risk of extirpation. Our program is known for consistency of product, and longevity of commitment to the projects on which we work.
Project: Astragalus microcymbus (Skiff Milkvetch) long-term demographic monitoring.
Partner: Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Duration: Ongoing, began in 1995.
Friday, July 24th
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Gothic, CO
Located on the site of a ghost town, Gothic, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory specializes in high-altitude research. During the summer, scientists come to the field station to perform long-term ecological experiments on topics such as climate change and pollination. The nearby town of Crested Butte is considered the wildflower capital of the state, with peak bloom around mid-July. Visiting RMBL will allow us to experience the beauty of alpine meadows in bloom, as well as learn about current botanical research.
Saturday, July 25th
Mexican Cut Preserve, CO
Set atop 12,080-foot high Galena Mountain, Mexican Cut is the highest Nature Conservancy-protected land in the world. Mexican Cut contains a "glacial cirque" - an area once carved flat by ancient glaciers that now houses a series of high alpine ponds.
Unusual aquatic creatures inhabit the glacial ponds and wetlands dotting the preserve. Many of these ponds contain salamanders that don't fully develop, ending up as odd-looking, fish-like creatures - with two front legs and a tail - that never leave the water.
Mexican Cut has been protected since 1966. Its remote location and excellent condition make for a fantastic natural laboratory. Recent topics studied here include:
- Alpine flowers and their pollinators
- Population dynamics of butterflies
- Acid rain in alpine lakes.
Sunday, July 26th
Durango Botanic Garden
Durango, CO
“The Durango Botanical Society is committed to the design and development of public gardens throughout SW Colorado for the purposes of education and demonstration."
The gardens at the Durango Public Library act as a central point for the community to learn about gardening in this unique environment. The Durango Botanical Society is involved in many projects around the region. The Library acts as their showpiece.
Monday, July 27th
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde, CO
Mesa Verde is well-known for its cliff dwellings, but the Park also protects unique ecosystems as well. The Park is at the boundary of arid scrublands to the south and forested mountains to the north. Four major plant communities exist, from shrub-steppe at the lower elevations to Pine/Fir woodlands at the highest elevations. Several rare plants inhabit these communities, including Astragalus deterior, which is endemic to the Park. Other plants we may see blooming include Lupinus spp and Eriogonum umbellatum.
Tuesday, July 28th
Arches National Park
Near Moab, UT
First reserved as a National Monument in 1929, and later designated as a National Park in 1971. Arches NP encompasses 76,679 acres of high desert, with elevations ranging from 4,085’ to 5,653’ and is composed of riparian, ephemeral pools, arroyos, mixed grasslands and vast expanses of bare rock. It is most famously known for having the highest concentration of naturally formed, sandstone arches in the world.
Wednesday, July 29th
Moab, UT
Moab is a city in Grand County, in eastern Utah, in the western United States. The population was 5,046 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat and largest city in Grand County. Moab attracts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors to the nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
The day will be spent exploring surrounding areas of interest and allow extra time for stops along the way while driving north to Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge.
Thursday, July 30th
Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge
Maybell, CO
Established in 1963 to provide habitat for migratory birds, the refuge covers 13,455 acres and includes wetland, riparian, grassland and upland plant communities. Habitat management includes seven wetland units, invasive plant species control, vegetation monitoring, Cottonwood restoration, and prescribed burning. Due to construction of the Flaming Gorge Dam, water levels have dropped in the riparian zones, inhibiting the replacement of the cottonwood and willow forests. Instead, numerous invasive species such as perennial pepper weed (Lepidium latifolium) and tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) have begun to establish heavily in the area.
Friday, July 31st
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
Walden, CO
Established in 1967 to provide nesting and rearing habitat for migratory birds; Arapaho NWR covers 23,464 acres and is situated at elevations of 8,100 to 8,700 feet, making it the highest NWR in the lower 48. The valley in Arapaho opens to the north into Wyoming, but is otherwise rimmed by mountain ranges on all remaining sides. Numerous meandering streams eventually form the headwaters of North Platte River. Most of the flood plain is irrigated meadow with higher rises being characterized by sagebrush grasslands. Management practices include grazing, burning, noxious weed control, mowing, seeding, water management and controlled elk hunts.
Saturday, August 1st
Denver, CO
· Return to Denver
· Tourist day: museums, shopping, etc.
· Farewell Dinner
Sunday, August 2nd
Denver, CO
Departure Day
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