Introduction to Butterflies of Rocky Mountain National Park

Did you know that butterflies fly in every life zone of Rocky Mountain National Park?

This introductory-level interactive field class will begin with a brief introduction to basic butterfly biology, including patterns of butterfly behavior, diversity, and important habitats in the park. We will learn to observe and identify butterflies, while discussing conservation concerns, the rich history of decades of research on Lepidoptera, and the many other valuable pollinators that occur in the park. This program will include a brief classroom session, but we will spend most of our time outdoors.

Who: Participants ages 16 and up.

Program level: Easy – Appropriate for most participants. Expect frequent short walks with ample breaks. Participants will be walking on hardened surfaces or open grassy meadows, with some off trail travel. Participants may travel in vehicles to elevations above 12,000 feet.

When: Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 9:30am to 1:30pm

Where: Meet at the Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517, and travel together to various locations within RMNP in Conservancy vehicles. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in your registration.

What to Bring:

• 10 Essentials for Field Institute Courses.

About Your Instructor: Sara Simonson studied the butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) of Rocky Mountain National Park in her graduate research in Entomology at Colorado State University, working with the late Dr. Paul Opler. Sara worked as a Research Associate at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at CSU for 20 years, and continues to pursue graduate research with the Watershed Science program at CSU. Sara has a special interest in extending timelines to improve our understanding of natural history, through the measurement and monitoring of biological indicators. Sara leads butterfly courses and nature programs across Colorado, while based in the Central Colorado Mountains.

Refund Policy:

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund.

Our programs proceed rain or shine, and participants should be prepared for inclement weather. However, should we decide to cancel a program due to unsafe weather or emergency conditions, we will notify participants by email and automatically issue full refunds.

Conservancy members get 10% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email! Limit 2 per membership.

Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here: Conservancy Membership

If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at education@RMConservancy.org or by phone at 970-586-3262.