Welcome to Todd Gulch Fen Phenology!

Outdoor Field Course

Saturday, August 24th, 8 am – 2 pm

What is a Fen? What is Phenology? Come learn about wetlands, rare species, and citizen science with botanist and ecologist Gwen Kittel. We’ll cover plant identification and learn how to document the phenological stages (bud burst, flowering, fruiting, etc.) of wildflowers, sedges, shrubs and even conifer trees!

This is a unique chance to look closely at the highly biodiverse ecosystem with rare plants, designated as part of Environmental Conservation Area #5 in the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan.

Bring a hat, water-proof shoes, water, lunch, a 10x or greater hand lens if you have one, and a 6 inch ruler. Handouts on species and their phenological stages will be provided.

The Fen is about a ¼ mile hike from a parking lot west of Gold Hill. There is a gentle trail, dropping about 200 feet. We then go off-trail and into the wetland. How wet you get will be up to you!

Gwen Kittel is a Conservation Ecologist specializing in wetland and riparian ecology and restoration. She has taught plant identification for the Colorado Native Plant Society for over 30 years.