Education
PERMACULTURE CLASS OFFERED IN TELLURIDE AND NATURITA
This summer, continue your education in sustainability and take the Introduction to Permaculture class in Telluride or Naturita. The class meets between July 21 and 26, Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:00-8:30 pm), with Saturday and Sunday hands-on projects and tours at permaculture farms in Hesperus and Hastings Mesa (a carpool will be set up). In Telluride, the evening classes will meet in the Wintercrown Building Conference Room, and will be taught by Kris Holstrom, MS. In Naturita, the evening classes will be held in the new Naturita Public Library, taught by Robyn Wilson, ME, MA. Both groups will meet for the weekend farm tours. It is available for one credit of Environmental Science through Mesa State College or for non-credit.
During this class, students will learn the history of agriculture, current food system analysis, and permaculture principles and design, and combine this knowledge with their own land and interests. Permaculture is a philosophy for ecological agriculture and living, which includes working with nature, utilizing local resources and energy, maximizing yields, and minimizing waste. By combining the local culture and climate with permaculture, students will learn how to integrate systems that are sustainable for long-term food production and living.
The University Centers of the San Miguel (UCSM) is a higher education non-profit organization that works throughout the communities of the San Miguel Watershed. UCSM is grateful to their supporters who include members of the community, TMVOA, San Miguel County, the towns of Mountain Village and Telluride, Telluride Foundation, and Just for Kids Foundation. For more information or suggestions for future classes, contact UCSM at 970-369-5255 and consult the website.
CONTACT:
Robyn Thiel Wilson
Executive Director
University Centers of the San Miguel
(ph) 970-369-5255
(fax) 970-369-5540
rwilson@ucsanmiguel.org
www.ucsanmiguel.org
Native Plant Master Q&A
Why should I become a Native Plant Master?
What is a Native Plant Master?
2009 Course Schedule
What does each Native Plant Master course cover?
Can anyone take Native Plant Master courses?
Who is eligible to apply for Native Plant Master Courses?
How do you become a Native Plant Master?
How do you apply for the Native Planst Master Program?
Why native plants?
Program for Sustainable Studies
The University Centers of San Miguel (UCSM) and TNCC have partnered to create a new completion program in sustainable studies. This program has two required classes (Introduction to Sustainability and the Capstone class) combined with at least four electives that the student chooses to develop their own interests and expertise in combination with sustainability. These topics could include, but are not limited to: business, construction, development, education, conservation, art, public policy, the ski area, agriculture, energy, politics, etc. For completion, the student will prepare a written proposal and present their work to the community.
Please contact UCSM for more information.
Spring 2009:
ENVS 196 Introduction to Sustainable Living: Concepts in sustainable living. Required class for Program Completion of Sustainable Studies.
Instructor: Kris Holstrom, MS.
Location: Wintercrown Building, 2nd floor, Telluride
Thursdays 6:00 – 8:30 pm; Jan. 22 – Feb. 19 (1 credit Mesa State College*; Non-credit UCSM tuition: $155)
ENVS 196 Sustainable Development Public Policy: Concepts in the global approach to sustainable development. Elective for Program Completion of Sustainable Studies.
Instructor: John Cramer, PhD.
Location: UCSM office, New San Juan Building, 2nd floor, Telluride
Mondays 6:00 – 8:30 pm; Feb. 23 – March 30 (1 credit Mesa State College*; Non-credit through UCSM tuition: $125)
Summer 2009:
Permaculture Design Certificate
Study Abroad in Costa Rica: Spanish, Sustainable Living, and Service Learning (July 19 - August 1)
Fall 2009: (projected)
Environmental Law
Environmental Science
Should I become a Native Plant Master?
Have you always wanted to learn more about the beautiful plants that grow in nature? Would you like to learn how to use them in your landscape? Consider becoming a Native Plant Master! This is a fun way to spend three or more mornings in the field this summer, getting to know the plants of Colorado.
Anyone can take one or more courses in this program, but to become a Native Plant Master (and the envy of all your co-workers, family and friends), you will need to take three courses and give back some time educating others.
What is a Native Plant Master?
A Native Plant Master is a volunteer who receives special training about Colorado plants and certification from Colorado State University Extension who then uses that training to educate the public. Anyone can take Native Plant Master courses even if they do not wish to make educational contacts with the public. The mission of the Native Plant Master Program is to educate the public about native plants in order to foster stewardship, sustainable landscaping and management of weeds that threaten native ecosystems.
What Native Plant Master training is provided?
Award-winning Native Plant Master courses are offered at various open space parks and public lands. Participants may apply to take one or more courses. No course is a required prerequisite for another course. Class size is limited and course fees are $90 per course. Courses are offered at a reduced price of $60 per course for participants who agree to educate at least 20 people per year per course about Colorado plants.
Each 4 hour course is taught on three consecutive Friday or Saturday mornings.
2009 Native Plant Master Course Schedule
May 1 Pre-class Basic Botany
Wilkinson Library 10-5
$30 for this class
May 16, 23, 30 Hawkins Preserve- south of Cortez
June 6, 13, 20 Beaver Pines- near Norwood
June 6, 13, 20 Lone Mesa State Park-one hour north of Dolores
July 24, 31, Priest Lake- August 7 near Telluride
What does each Native Plant Master course cover? Courses are taught in the field using living examples of Colorado flora. All courses will include the use of a botanical key, Colorado Flora, Western Slope, 3rd Edition, by Weber and Wittman. For each course, students learn:
Session 1: identification, including scientific names, key botanical characteristics and family features;
Session 2: ecological relationships, including non-native plants;
Session 3: landscape, food and other human uses.
Instructors for the courses have extensive field experience, are Native Plant Masters and/or have advanced degrees. The course manual is based on data from the Colorado Plant Database at http://coloradoplants.jeffco.us.
Can anyone take Native Plant Master courses?
You can take courses even if you don’t plan on becoming a Native Plant Master. This option is for those do not wish to make public educational contacts or report contacts made. In order to successfully complete a course, participants must pass an exam.
Who is eligible to apply for Native Plant Master Courses?
Applicants who wish to become Native Plant Masters must be at least 21 years old and must:
Successfully complete three courses in three different months and/or locations, including passing field exams. (Courses do not have to be completed in the same year.)
Teach at least 20 people per year about Colorado plants for each course taken;
By Dec. 31, report on the number of educational contacts made.
How do you become a Native Plant Master?
After successfully completing three courses and the public contact requirement, participants will be awarded Native Plant Master certification and a special patch. Certification may be maintained by teaching at least 60 people per year about Colorado plants and reporting quarterly on those contacts.
How do you apply for the Native Planst Master Program?
For questions or to request an application, see
www.conativeplantmaster.org or
www.coopext.colostate.edu/sanmiguel/ or contact
San Miguel and West Montrose Counties CSU Extension Office at 970-327-4393
maryw@sanmiguelcounty.org or Yvette.Henson@colostate.edu
Application process required; registration is limited.
Applications are due May 15, 2009.
Colorado has a wealth of native plants, colorful wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees, which are well adapted to our variable climate, soils, temperatures and elevations.
The Colorado Native Plant Society recommends the use of native plants in landscaping, both because of their adaptability and because Colorado has a unique regional horticulture worth promoting and protecting.
