Ecology
 Healthy
native plant communities are the backbone of ecosystems. Wildlife depend
on them for survival. Native plants also provide scenic beauty, from
prairie fields of big bluestem grass swaying in the wind at Rabbit
Mountain to mountain meadows filled with brilliant yellow and purple
wildflowers at Walker Ranch. Boulder is home to over 1,500 species of
plants, many of which are on open space.
Native plant communities are increasingly threatened by invasive weeds
and development throughout Colorado. Parks and Open Space's
top priorities for native plant conservation and management include:
-
Protect significant and unique native plant
communities, including rare plant sites, wetlands, riparian areas, and
other important stands of vegetation, such as willow carrs.
-
Inventory open space for significant and unique
native plant communities.
-
Maintain native plant communities through a variety
of management techniques including ecological restoration, prescribed
burning, and weed control.
-
Restore open space that has been disturbed by human
impacts such as roads, mining, and overgrazing, including the
restoration of weed-infested areas.
-
Restore significant native plant communities such
as wetlands and riparian corridors.
How we can help
-
Leave plants where you find them. Boulder County
Parks and Open Space does not allow collection of plants for any
purpose. Enjoy and study wildflowers and the diverse array of native
plants when visiting open space, and only take pictures and memories
of them home with you.
-
Volunteer
for a native seed collection or restoration event.
-
Learn about weeds and
how you can prevent spreading them.
Publications:
Ecological
Restoration: Lending Nature a Helping Hand
Other Sources of Information
Local
Colorado Native
Plant Society
Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Native Plant Revegetation Guide
for Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
Herbarium
National
Natural
Resources Conservation Service Plants Database
Plant Conservation Alliance
Society for Ecological Restoration
|
