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Boulder County
Parks & Open Space

5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO  80503
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tel (303) 678-6200
fax (303) 678-6180

Boulder County Fairgrounds
9595 Nelson Rd.
Affolter House
Longmont, CO  80501
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tel (303) 678-6235
fax (303) 678-6322

 


Ecology

Wild geranium.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

 

Black-tailed prairie dog.

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