Idaho  Native  Plant  Society

P.O. Box 9451 Boise, ID 83707

Category Archive - Field Trips

October 16, 2011

FIELD TRIP to BOISE FOOTHILLS

Michael Mancuso, a Boise botanist, will lead a field trip to monitoring and conservation sites in the Boise Foothills on Thursday, October 20th.

Details of the field trip will be announced on Wednesday at the Rare Plant Conference.

September 25, 2011

25th RARE PLANT CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (OCT. 18-20, 2011)

October 18: Kick-off Social. 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
The Reef, 6th & Main, Hemingway Room. No host drinks, appetizers, dinner.

October 19: Rank Calculator Demonstration & Rare Plant Assessments.

---------------7:45 am - 5:00 pm Idaho State BLM Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Sagebrush Room. Statewide session in the morning, regional break-out sessions in the afternoon.

---------------Potluck Dinner. MK Nature Center, 600 S. Walnut.

October 20: Field Trip: Rare Plant Monitoring & Conservation Efforts in Boise Foothills. Details TBA. Led by Boise botanist Michael Mancuso.

Please complete this form and email to INPS.treasurer@gmaildotcom or mail to INPS Rare Plant Conference, P.O. Box 9451, Boise, ID 83707

The Registration Form is also located under the Rare Plant Conference link (on the left).

June 10, 2011

2011 Annual INPS Meeting at the CITY OF ROCKS/CASTLE ROCK STATE PARK

Annual Meeting information:The Loasa Chapter is hosting the 2011 INPS Annual Meeting at the City of Rocks National Reserve and at the adjacent Castle Rocks State Park, both headquartered at Almo, in southcentral Idaho.

Our gathering on June 24–26, 2011, affords great opportunities to observe native
flora in a large variety of habitat types and unusual rock formations popular with climbing enthusiasts.

INPS received a welcome letter from Wallace Keck, Superintendent of City of Rocks
National Reserve and Park Manager for Castle Rocks State Park. In addition, Wallace and his staff have created a facebook profile at https://wwwdotfacebookdotcom/CastleRocksStatePark to which they have been posting daily photos of wildflowers in bloom, all neatly identified. They
now have over 75 different photos posted at their 2011 wildflowers album! There is also much information and many maps posted at their websites
http://parksandrecreationdotidahodotgov/parks/castlerocksdotaspx and http://wwwdotnpsdotgov/ciro, including a 1995 complete annotated checklist of vascular plants.

If you have not already sent in your reservation form please do so immediately, as we need it to arrange for the Saturday dinner and to plan for camping.

DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate 84 take exit 216 (Declo); go south on Idaho 77 south through
the small town of Declo across old US hwy 30, and on south through the town of Albion to the Conner Creek junction, then turn right (southwest) on through Elba and to the south side of Almo. The visitor center in Almo will be on the left (east) side of the road. Maps are available there at any time, but the center closes at 4:30pm.

Our evening programs will be at the Ranch House unit of the Castle Rocks State Park,
northwest of Almo, on the Big Cove Road (2800 S). This road is about 2 miles north of Almo, on the Elba-Almo road. Go west on the Big Cove Road for less than 2 miles to the Ranch House. If we have inclement weather, we will meet in the Park warehouse southeast of the Visitor Center in Almo. This warehouse also includes a large conference room in the upper floor.

FRIDAY
2-5pm – Registration for the INPS annual gathering will be at the Visitor Center in Almo, in order to provide you with a pass to the State Park, to direct you to camping, and to get a tally of those going on the North Fork Circle Creek tour tomorrow (see below) to arrange for shuttles. For those arriving later, registration will continue at the Ranch House. We suggest you arrive early, to take advantage of the Visitor Center before it closes at 4:30pm.

--6pm – Dinner with grilled sausages for the group, at the Ranch House. Sausages, buns, condiments, paper plates, and napkins will be provided. Please bring your own utensils and beverages. Also, please bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert to share.

--7pm -- Wallace Keck, Superintendent of the National Reserve and Manager for the State Park, will give us an orientation of the area. As he is very knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area, he will be able to answer many questions.

SATURDAY: 9am – Meet for the field trips
Almo Creek wetlands and adjacent sagebrush-grass and pinyon-juniper types within the Ranch Unit of Castle Rocks State Park: This unit has a good network of trails and interesting microclimates adjacent to the many granite monoliths used by rock climbers. The wetlands area has uneven footing but the walk is otherwise fairly easy, generally within a mile of the facilities at the ranch house. Meet at the Ranch House and walk from there.

North Fork Circle Creek drainage: This would involve a shuttle to the upper edge of the drainage, within the City of Rocks National Reserve, and walking four miles downhill through several habitat types to the Circle Creek Overlook. This trail would provide the best opportunityto see a variety of habitat types plus superb vistas, but there are no facilities along the way. We are expected to be gone from 9am to 2pm; be prepared for this. Those wishing to catch the shuttle at the Visitor Center should meet there at 8:30am; all others will meet at Bread Loaves
on the west side of the National Reserve. This is the ideal trip, as it will be lead by Wallace Keck, Park Manager, and goes through the greatest variety of habitat types.

Emery Canyon: This field trip involves a minimum amount of walking—a riparian area and a hillside are alongside the road. This option allows the opportunity to drive to other sites within the area, and we will always be close to the cars. We will meet at the Bread Loaves Campground turnoff.
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Be prepared: All field trips will require plenty of water and sun protection. Packing a light lunch is advisable.
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SATURDAY EVENING – 6pm – meet at the Ranch House for the annual meeting, dinner, and a special speaker: Dr. Stephen L. Love, Research Professor and Superintendent of the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center at Aberdeen, will speak to us about the buckwheats of Idaho and their use in landscaping.

SUNDAY- Field trips are optional; let us know if you are interested. Please remember that checkout time at the campgrounds is 1pm.

March 26, 2011

Support Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands Campaign by exploring the W. Little Owyhee River

Join supporters of Oregons Owyhee Canyonlands Campaign, the Native Plant Society of Oregon, and the Idaho Native Plant Society for a four-day adventure into the West Little Owyhee River June 9th-12th!
A group of aspiring, professional and retired botanists are getting together to explore this remote stretch of Wild and Scenic River canyon for rare and sensitive plant species over the course of three days and three nights. We plan to establish a base camp at Anderson Crossing and venture both up and down-canyon and into the neighboring playas in search of species like Owyhee sage (Artemisia papposa), Owyhee River stickseed (Hackelia ophiobi) and Shockley's Ivesia (Ivesia schockleyi )
No prior botany experience required! Self supported camping gear and some experience in the backcountry is needed-- car camping is an option.
Space is limited, so please contact the Oregon Owyhee Canyonlands Coordinator Chris Hansen at 541-709-1576 or chansen at onda dot org to reserve your spot today.

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Hike the canyons of Leslie Gulch to celebrate National Trails Day

On June 4th 2011, the Owyhee Canyonlands Campaign will be sponsoring a family hike into the canyons of Leslie Gulch to celebrate National Trails Day! Both families and individuals are encouraged to join us as we explore the fascinating rock formations of a SE Oregon gem. Bring a sack lunch, water and a spirit of adventure---carpooling available. Space is limited, so please contact Chris Hansen at 541-709-1576 or chansen at onda dot org to reserve your spot today!

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June 27, 2009

INPS State Meeting 2009

When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 26, 27, and 28, 2009
Where: Buffalo Campground, Group Loop E, Island Park, Idaho.
Island Park is approximately 80 miles northeast of Idaho Falls on Hwy. 20.

Complete information:

INPS Meeting 2009

May 16, 2009

SAH-WAH-BE 2009 Schedule

Field Trips and Events thru September

May 18 - Monday 6:30pm- University Pond; I-15 exit 47
Carpool 5:45pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at 6:30pm in large lot north of Flying J.
See early blooming native &water plants on ISU research property.

May 30 - Saturday 10am - City of Rocks south of Burley
Carpool 8:30am from Bison on ISU campus or meet at visitors center in Almo.
I-86 West to exit 216 (Declo); S on ID 77 to Conner Creek, then SW on Elba-Almo Rd to the visitors center and the park entrance.

June 1 - Monday 6:30pm - Hurricane Hill, home of Linda &Wendell Johnson
Carpool 6:00pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at 6:30pm 2955 So Marsh Creek Rd,
McCammon. See a variety of plants on a sagebrush steppe.

June 8 - Monday 6:30pm - Boundary Trail, near Pebble Creek Ski Area
Carpool 6:00pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at 6:30pm ski area parking lot.
Drive through Inkom on Old Hwy 91, Left on N Inkom Rd, right on E Green Canyon Rd
We will see high elevation plants.

June 13 - Saturday 10am - Craters of the Moon, meet at Visitors Center
Carpool 8:30pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at 10am at Visitors Center
SW of Arco from Pocatello, I-15 N to exit 83, 26/20 to Arco.
From Idaho Falls, I-15 S to Hwy 20 to Arco.
See plants survive and thrive in this challenging habitat.

June 15 - Monday 6:30pm Scout Mountain (Justice Park Campground)
Carpool 6:00pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at 6:30pm Justice Park
Approx. 11 miles SW of Pocatello; Mink Creek Road, ~5 mi to Scout Mtn road
First of 2 trips this summer to check out seasonal flowers/ plants.

June 20 - Saturday 10am Cress Creek Nature Trail, about 20 miles NE of Idaho Falls
From Idaho Falls, Hwy 26 NE to 160 East (about 3 miles past Ririe exits);
Immediately across the Snake River turn L, travel 1 ¼ miles.

June 26-28 - Fri-Sun Idaho Native Plant Society State Annual Meeting
Island Park area, Buffalo campground group area
Camp, or motel, learn from knowledgeable speakers, enjoy field trips to Harriman State Park, Sawtelle Peak, Henry’s Lake, Mesa Falls

July 11 - Saturday 10am - Maple Grove Hot Springs, Bear River, Oneida Narrows
Carpool 8:30am from Bison on ISU campus or meet before the Hot Springs.
I-15 South to exit 36, Hwy 91 to Preston. Hwy 34 N from Preston 4 mi, R on 36~13mi
L on Maple Grove Rd, 2mi to river, L at the Y to Oneida Narrows.
From Grace go South turn left before crossing the Bear River

July 20 - Monday 6:30pm - Inman Creek to the East of Inkom
Carpool 6:00pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at 6:30pm Inman Creek
From Inkom, take N Rapid Creek Rd to E Inman Rd.
Walk up in the cool mountains above Inkom to see high mountain flora.

July 25 - Saturday 10am - Jill Smith’s property/Buckskin Rd. area
Carpool 9:30am from Bison on ISU campus.
See habitats from dry sage to riparian stream sides with a large variety of plants.

Aug 3 - Monday 6:30pm - Scout Mountain, Justice Park Campground
Carpool 6:00pm from Bison on ISU campus or meet at Justice Park parking
2nd trip this year to compare June to August flower/plant changes.

Aug 7-9 Fri-Sun - Steens Mountain ~ 70 miles south of Burns, Oregon
Dr. Karl Holte will again lead this trip.
Trips here in past years have been in early summer, the late summer plants have their own beauty and merit viewing.

Sep 12 - Saturday 10am - Goodenough Canyon Campground Fall colors
Carpool 9:00am from Bison on ISU campus or meet 10am at campground.
May be rescheduled due to fall color conditions.
End of the field trip season Celebration.
See Fall colors &plants, followed by a chili potluck picnic.

Sep 14 - Monday 6:30pm - Tour of Home Gardens in Pocatello Area
Carpool 6:15pm from Bison on ISU campus
First Monday night meeting for Sah-Wah-Be for the fall.
Visit gardens that have used native plants in their landscape.

Events may be cancelled due to inclement weather or other circumstances.
Call Linda Johnson 716-0218, Chris McCoy 234-8517, or Pauline Havens for questions.
The Bison metal sculpture is located on the ISU campus South 5th &Dillon.

March 25, 2008

Boise Foothills Wildflower Walks

We have some dates for the Boise Foothills Wildflower Walks-

starting at 6:30 pm at the Foothills Learning Center --

May 1 and May 15.

April 26, 2007

Foothills Wildflower Walks in May

Boise, Idaho - As part of national Celebrating Wildflowers month, three wildflower walks will be held in May at the Foothills Learning Center. On Thursday, May 3, 10, and 17, walks will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Foothills Learning Center by the Lower Hulls Gulch trailhead. To reach the meeting place, take 8th Street 0.3 miles past the end of the pavement to the parking area on the right. Parking is limited, so please carpool, walk, or ride your bike if possible. For more information, call the Boise National Forest Supervisor s Office at 373-4100.

An additional wildflower walk will be held on Tuesday, May 1, at Lucky Peak Nursery. The walk will begin at 6:30 p.m. Visitors should meet by the main office building at the nursery. Take Idaho 21 from Boise; at two miles past the Hilltop Cafe, turn right at the nursery sign between milepost markers 16 and 17. For more information on the Lucky Peak Nursery walk, call Kay Beall at 208-392-6681.

The walks are open to the public, admission is free, and pre-registration is not required. The walks will be about one to two hours long on moderately steep but well-maintained trails.

Comfortable walking shoes are adequate. Bring drinking water, sunscreen, hat, etc. A light jacket is recommended. Please leave pets at home.

June 17, 2006

Trip To STEENS MOUNTAIN in SE OREGON

Third Annual Idaho Native Plant Society Trip To

STEENS MOUNTAIN in SE OREGON

July 15-16, 2006

Saturday 7:00 am - 7:00 pm; Sunday 7:00 a.m. - noon, afternoon optional

Trip leader Dr. Karl E. Holte, Emeritus Professor of Botany, Idaho State University

Sponsored by SE Idaho's Sah-Wah-Be chapter of INPS

Anyone interested is welcome to participate, but ALL participants must mail a copy of the reservation form as soon as possible.

Steens Mountain is located approximately 70 miles SE of Burns, OR. This singular fault block mountain rises above the plain approximately one mile. A gravel loop road begins at Frenchglen, elevation 4500 feet, and winds eastward approximately 25 miles up to the East Rim, where the mountain drops off almost a vertical mile to the Alvord Desert Plain below. The road parallels the rim southward to the highest point on the Steens at 9733 feet, then winds westward, dropping down approximately 5000 feet again to Hwy. 205, which connects the towns of Burns, Frenchglen, and Fields and continues on south to Denio Junction, NV. Steens Mountain Field Trip Details...

May 03, 2006

Boise Foothills Wildflower Walks 2006

Boise Foothills
May 4, 11, & 18 at 6:30 p.m. • Hulls Gulch

• Explore Boise Foothills native plants & wildflowers!
• Support "National Celebrating Wildflowers Week" - the whole month of May!
• Open to the public — free! No pre-registration.

How to participate
• Meet at the Foothills Learning Center near Lower Hulls Gulch Trailhead
• Directions: take 8th Street (Sunset Peak Rd.) 0.3 miles past the end of the pavement
• Parking is limited, so please carpool, walk, or ride your bike
• Walks will take 1.5 to 2 hours, on moderately steep but well-maintained trails
• Comfortable walking shoes are adequate
• Wear a light jacket. No dogs, please
• For more information: Alexis Collins, 514-3757; Gina Glenne, 685-6958; Edna Rey-Vizgirdas, 373-4100

Lucky Peak Nursery Walk • At the Nursery Shrub Garden
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.

• Nursery staff will lead you through this diverse garden, which should be primed for spring!
• Drive out Highway 21 • Go 2 miles past Hilltop Cafe
• Turn right at Lucky Peak Nursery sign (located halfway between Mile Post Markers 16 and 17)
• Meet by main office building
• For more information on the Lucky Peak Walk, contact Kay Beall at 392-3738

August 04, 2005

Forest Management and Lichens

Come meet the mysterious world of forest lichens! Tree-growing lichens are in many ways the first indicators of environmental change in forests: they decline or disappear with air pollution, their species change with increased ventilation or desiccation, and many are intimately linked with the presence of dead wood, a commodity that is at a fraction of its former abundance in managed woodlands.

Workshop -- Friday August 19, 2005, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Panhandle Health District Meeting Room, 322 Marion Street, Sandpoint, Idaho

Field Trip -- Saturday August 20, 2005, 9:00am to 2:00pm
Meet at the county courthouse parking lot, Sandpoint, Idaho at 9am.

Toby Spribille, lichenologist, will present an evening workshop on lichens and forest ecology. Learn how to tell lichens apart and learn about their relevance to forest management. During the evening workshop Toby will present:

• What are lichens,­ basic biology, physiology, main groups
  
• Lichens in forests,­ interactions with plants, animals and the trees they call home
  
• Rare species and biodiversity
  
• Ongoing research projects involving lichens in the Inland Northwest: round-up of what's being done
  
• Clear cuts, selective harvest or old growth: what the lichens have to say
  

On Saturday Toby will lead us on a Field Excursion to see different lichen species in managed and unmanaged forest stands, emphasizing biodiversity patterns on dead wood (rotten logs, snags, etc.) in forest ecosystems. Different harvest types will be compared within a small area. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different cutting strategies, and what planning measures may be important for preserving lichen diversity.

This program has been underwritten with a generous grant from the Idaho Native Plant Society. It is open to the public. There is no charge to participate, but space is limited so please RSVP to:

Phil Hough
208-255-2780
email: nowhere_man97 at hotmail dot com

June 13, 2005

Sah-Wah-Be Chapter (Southeast Idaho) Events

Sah-Wah-Be Chapter has four more group opportunities in June to enjoy our great outdoors and its flora. The first two (*) are sponsored by groups other than INPS, but we're invited to participate with them. July features a very special opportunity for a longer trip to Steens Mountain in SE-Central Oregon. All INPS chapter members and other interested folks are invited to participate. See below.

*June 16 - Thursday - Audubon meeting featuring slide show about native plants in our area and how they affect the wildlife, especially the birds. Presenter, Dr. Karl Holte. 7:30 pm in the lecture room of the Idaho Museum of Natural History at ISU. (Use the door in the SW corner of the building.) All INPS members and the public are invited.

*June 18 - Saturday, 6-10 pm - Idaho Music & Wildflower Festival at Pebble Creek. See the press release in the Idaho State Journal (www.journalnet.com) from Pebble Creek. Enjoy the music, flowers, and the view for a nominal fee.

June 20 - Monday - The changing flowers of the Scout Mountain area. Dick Anderson will be our guide to see the changing flowers of the West Fork of Mink Creek and Scout Mountain campground. Karl Holte led our group through this area a month ago. Let's go see what has replaced the Spring Beauties and Glacier Lilies. This will be an easy, slow walking trip. To carpool and caravan, meet at 6:00 pm by the Bison in the ISU Student Union parking lot.

June 25 - Saturday - Flower walk including Cress Creek Nature Trail, Heise Hot Springs, and the Kelly Canyon Area. This will be a full day outing led by Wendy Velman, BLM botanist and former president of our chapter. The highlight of this trip will be seeing one of the most interesting orchids in the West, the Giant Helleborine (Epipactis gigantea). Call or e-mail Wendy for more detailed information: 208-237-7549, pooh at 07 dot myrf dot net.

July 16, 17 - Saturday, Sunday a.m. - See the wonders of STEENS MOUNTAIN in SE Oregon with leader and botanist Dr. Karl Holte. Karl taught Field Botany on Steens Mountain for over 30 summers and still enjoys revisiting the area as often as possible. This year's trip will be similar to the 2004 trip, except that it is three weeks earlier in the season and thus should afford a better display of flowers. Read the details about this trip in the Sah-Wah-Be chapter section listed at the top of the home page. For more details e-mail Karl at ardysholte at cableone dot net or phone 232-6563 or 241-8358. Please advise Karl asap if you intend to participate in this trip! See the chapter page for more details.

July 25 - Monday - Summer Flowers on Scout Mountain, starting at Crestline Trail. This evening walk will be our third visit to the Scount Mountain area to see the seasonal progression of flowers. To carpool and caravan, meet at 6:00 pm by the Bison in the ISU Student Union parking lot.

May 12, 2005

Pahove Chapter Field Trips for May and June 2005

May 12 & 19, Boise foothills: Catch the season's two remaining "Celebrate Wildflowers" walks at 6:30 p.m. Meet at the Foothills Learning Center, 0.3 miles past the end of the 8th Street pavement in Boise (turn right into the parking area). After 1.5 to 2 hours (on moderately steep, well-maintained trails), you'll "walk away" more impressed than ever with the sheer pluck of Idaho's splendid native plants.

June 4-5, Cambridge area: Indian Valley sedge (Carex aboriginum) is one of Idaho's rarest species. Of high conservation concern, it's known to occur in only eight sites in the world-and its range is centered smack-dab in the colorful, diverse foothills of west central Idaho. We need your help in collecting long-term monitoring data that will guide future conservation actions, so plan to join botanists Chris Murphy and Gillian Crymes for a weekend campout full of rare-plant stewardship, monitoring and hunting and just plain fun wildflower botanizing.

Meet at the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, 600 S. Walnut St., Boise, at 8:30 a.m. June 4. Bring your family, food, camping/cooking gear, sturdy hiking boots, raingear, water bottle, sunscreen, your favorite botanizing materials and your smiling face. Plan to hike 2 miles roundtrip on a dirt road and to drive on gravel roads. Expected return time: 5 p.m. June 5. Contact Gillian Crymes at 345-0283 or gillmatt at earthlink dot net for more information and to let her know to expect you.

July 26, 2004

Steens Mountain Field Trip - August 7-8, 2004

Our tour of Steens Mountain, Oregon has been preempted by a "Rim Run" on Saturday, August 7, which will close the roads to vehicular traffic and likely create a shortage of accommodations in Frenchglen. Join DR. KARL HOLTE for a fun alternate tour – a visit to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge ON SATURDAY and Steens Mountain ON SUNDAY, with a family-style DINNER AT Hotel Diamond SATURDAY EVENING. See the maps on the reverse side of this flyer for location proximities.

April 19, 2004

IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY STATEWIDE ANNUAL MEETING JULY 16-18, 2004, Priest Lake, Idaho

This summer the three northern INPS chapters (White Pine, Calypso, and Kinnikinnick) will host the statewide INPS Annual Meeting July 16-18. In addition to the meeting there will be camping at Priest Lake and field trips to visit Idaho old growth forest near the Canadian border. See this link for complete details.

April 16, 2004

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Field Trip

The Pahove Chapter is sponsoring a field trip to explore the flora of Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. There is an optional trip to Box Canyon State Park. See the flier for complete details (pdf format).

DEPARTURE: 9:00 a.m., Saturday May 15, from MK Nature Center Parking Lot, 600 S. Walnut (on the south side of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game parking lot). Carpooling options will be available. To pre-register for this field trip, contact Chris Murphy at 208-761-5022.