COLORADO NATIVE PLANT MASTER PROGRAM ® © Colorado State University Extension 2010.

Program Mission Educate public Foster –stewardship –sustainable landscapes –weed management

Sustainable Landscaping up to 60% reduction in water use less maintenance, pesticide use food and shelter for native wildlife

Noxious Weeds Inedible/poisonous to livestock & native wildlife $10 million+ in lost CO land productivity Infested 1 million+ CO acres

NPM Courses curriculum- based outdoors Flora of CO by Weber and Wittmann three 4-hour sessions

NPM Course Sessions 1: plant identification, families, scientific names, key characteristics 2: invasive weeds, ecological relationships 3: sustainable landscaping, human uses

NPM Special Classes classroom or outdoors year-round specialty topics – basic botany, landscaping, weed management etc.

NPM Instructors Native Plant Masters Local experts, including CONPS members Extension agents

Who can take courses: Anyone can take NPM courses or special classes Reduced fees for volunteers who: educate others, report contacts

NPM Volunteers Competitive application process agency staff and volunteers train-the-trainer multiplier effect

NPM Certification pass final exam for 3 courses teach 60 people

Public Educated Per Year 1 1,296 course participants 458 volunteers 28,489 educated by NPM volunteers

What did participants learn? 99% increased skill in plant i.d. 92% more aware of importance of weed control 95% more aware of sustainable l landscaping

Impacts 78% began or increased planting of natives in a sustainable landscape 103,932 acres impacted

Impacts 73% began or increased weed control efforts 472,490 acres impacted

NPM Financials $151,306 saved from improved grazing, crop output, tourism, etc. $49,201 saved from reduced watering, pest control etc. $30,809 Statewide User Fees

NPM Awards 2006 Communication Award – NACAA 2004 Excellence in Higher Education Award – CAEE 2002 National Program Leadership Award – ANREP

NPM is growing… Courses 3 courses courses – 2009 CO NPM County Programs 1 program programs – 2011

2011 NPM Programs Counties/Areas: Boulder Custer Douglas Eagle Jefferson Larimer Logan Montezuma Pueblo San Miguel Tri-River

Future Plans –Course offerings –Online registration –Teacher re-licensure –Partnerships –Sponsorships –Grants Expand nationwide Strong CO NPM

For Further Information Website – Colorado Plant Database – Bookmarks Joel Reich, Boulder County Horticulture Agent