Pre-Registration is required for all field trips. Space is limited -
register early!
Saturday, August 12
Participants of the 2023 Ornamental Field Trip will visit the Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG), an ornamental plant production nursery, and the Butterfly Pavilion. At the first stop of the trip, the group will tour the DBG York Street and get to know diverse and sustainable programs at the Plains Conservation Center and Center for Global Initiatives of DBG. The second stop will be Echter’s Nursery and Garden Center in Arvada, CO. The attendees will tour the production sites, get to see hundreds of varieties of ornamental plants, and participate in discussions on plant disease challenges at the facility. The last stop of the field trip, Butterfly Pavilion, is an outdoor garden in Westminster, CO. The participants of this relaxing tour will enjoy not only butterflies and other invertebrates, but also indoor and outdoor ornamentals that attract butterflies.
Saturday, August 12 ● 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
We will take an all-day field trip through Rocky Mountain National Park, just outside of Estes Park, to examine forest pathology and other forest health issues. This will include a diversity of rust, foliar and canker pathogens, dwarf mistletoes, bark beetles and wildlife issues the park faces. We will also travel above treeline to the top of Trail Ridge Road at 11,500 ft to examine ecosystems above the treeline.
Friday, August 11 ● 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Plant and microbe collections are the backbone of disease resistance breeding and research into plant pathogen and plant evolution, immunity, epidemiology, taxonomy, and plant health. These collections are critical when evaluating changing pathogen populations and climate. At Plant Health 2022, the APS Collections and Germplasm Committee organized a Special Session titled “There’s a collection for that…” that highlighted how scientists can use collections and how to sustain and support collections for future generations. The field trip during Plant Health 2023 to the USDA ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) in Ft. Collins, CO builds on the 2022 Special Session message on the importance of collections. The NLGRP maintains global genetic security by acquiring, evaluating, preserving, and distributing critical plant and microbial genetic resources. Tour participants will learn about the science and art of preserving and storing seeds, plants, and microbes.
Saturday, August 12 ● 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
A day of urban ag! First, join us for Pueblo Chili Fest at CSU Spur. This new Denver-based campus provides “preK to Grey” lifelong learning. Upon arrival, we enjoy local pastries and beverages while taking in expansive views of the Rocky Mountains. Next, we get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, research green roofs, and agrivoltaic and hydroponic sites. Cooking demos of our local Pueblo Chili are planned. Lunch onsite features Colorado flavors and regional cuisine. Unstructured time means you choose your own adventure: from live animal surgeries to water engineering to VR. Next, we visit Food Box Foods to see controlled environment agriculture systems in a vegetable/mushroom production setting. Return by coach or continue the fun on an optional street art walking tour in the RiNo Arts District and a local brewery visit (beverages available for purchase). A ~1.5 mile guided return walk will be provided; self-arranged transportation available.
Saturday, August 12 ● 7:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
APS has partnered with Denver’s Park & Recreation department to clean up S. Platte River Trail. Volunteers will be bused from the Sheraton to 16th St. and Little Raven St. where they will be met by our on-site contact who will go over the debris removal process. Participants are asked to bring hand sanitizer, work gloves, full water bottle, sunscreen, weather- appropriate clothing, sturdy footwear (no open-toe shoes) and hat. Children over the age of 6 yrs. old are welcome but must be supervised by their parent(s) at all times. Pets are not allowed. Liability waivers must be signed prior.
