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. Transportation will be in a 15-passenger van with bench seats and a narrow aisle that requires stepping up to enter. Participants may travel in vehicles to elevations above 12,000 feet.

When: Friday, June 26th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Where: Meet at the Grand Lake Center 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 leads butterfly courses and nature programs across Colorado, while based in the Central Colorado Mountains. Sara has a special interest in extending timelines to improve our understanding of natural history through the measurement and monitoring of biological indicators.