ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATURE ASSOCIATION Winter 2011 $2.00 QUARTERLY

BEST KEPT SECRETS and spiders, grizzly bears and glaciers are by C.W. Buchholtz revealed for all to see. “He who knows the most, he who While the fields of both science and knows what sweets and virtues are in communication have grown more the ground, the waters, the plants, the sophisticated, the question remains heavens, and how to come at these whether today’s readers appreciate enchantments, is the rich and royal Emerson’s use of the term man,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson in “enchantments.” Personally, I applaud his his essay, Nature. use of that catchy word. “Enchantment” Still worth pondering, Emerson’s carries with it a connection to the thoughts echo through time. Today, not magical—sometimes difficult to many people would disagree with comprehend, hardly scientific in the efforts to understand the workings of modern sense. Quite the opposite, to be the natural world. Since Emerson’s day enchanted introduces allied concepts like (Nature was published in 1836), several fascination, captivation, bewitchings, or generations worth of research by spells. Such terms suggest that the biologists, ecologists, geologists, and a studious objectivity attributed to science is host of similar scholars have easily paired with subjective concepts like enlightened the world about nature, its charm or pleasure. contents and mysteries. Just bouncing around these ideas What Emerson could hardly have served as a prelude to my meeting last imagined, however, were the expanded summer with some “rich and royal” dimensions of art and communication, people. As readers may recall, in light of specifically in publishing, photography, the national recession, last year we began film, video and computers, all enabling a luncheon series called “Brown Bag ordinary citizens to learn more about Lunch with Curt.” It developed into a nature and natural phenomena. Now, pleasant opportunity to chat with friends. anyone with a television or access to the Unlike conventional rich or royal folk, Internet can explore—albeit vicariously everyone attending brought their own — a world of natural wonders virtually snacks. Each session hosted a surprise unknown just a short time ago. Here, guest speaker. Each session had a slightly the secret lives of bees and birds, snakes (Secrets, continued on page 2 ) 2 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly

(Secrets, continued) J.C. was more specific, identifying hike here almost all year around.” Upper Beaver Meadows as his own Perhaps his comment caused G.F. to say, different theme, with a dozen people favorite place. B.S., with the mind of a “Boulder Creek,” and not much attending on average. scientist and the heart of a philosopher, explanation was needed. Everyone agreed Over the course of two summers, said the Best Kept Secret was the it was lesser-known and assumed it was these luncheons taught me a few lessons combination of climate and scenery found his favorite trail. about what impressed people about the here. That comment triggered a brief, but “Hikes to lakes,” was H.F.’s Best Kept park. The wealth of people’s experiences friendly, debate about wind and wintertime Secret, although he confessed that maybe in Rocky Mountain National Park could in the Rockies. too many people already knew that secret. be measured in decades, if not lifetimes. Sounding much like an artist, E.S. Everyone chuckled. “Wintertime Using Emerson’s terms, I was among “He said simply, “Early morning clouds.” activities,” said R.P. rather quickly, “Like who knows the most, he who knows what Building on his spouse’s theme, G.S. cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.” sweets and virtues are in the ground…” added “Alpine glow.” “Birds,” said V.P., “and especially For the most part, these participants were As the conversation moved around the hummingbirds. I think they’re secretive not scientists. Rather, these were people circle, our group’s Best Kept Secrets grew and not many people look for them.” B.K. who loved the park and were unafraid to larger in scope. “The tundra,” said S.K. added, “Along with the subalpine forests, speak from the heart. Just for fun, at one Nearby sat K.K., pensive at first, but then with all its flowers and wildlife.” luncheon we asked: “What is the Best adding, “The sky.” That comment might Each outpouring of Secrets came with Kept Secret about Rocky Mountain have sparked T.A.’s effusive observation, explanation, not just the phrases I’ve National Park?” “The Park is one big scene that constantly recalled. Those ideals reveal more than Here you must forgive me, dear changes.” S.P. acknowledged her mere imagination. For what this group reader, for I neither took copious notes, affection for the night sky, saying, “The was exploring were the realms of nor obtained permission to quote anyone stars.” enchantment. Here were minds with a publicly. So I must resort to a nineteenth “I know this isn’t really much of a wealth of experience, voicing wit and century literary trick, using initials, upon secret,” smiled S.S., straying from the affection, attachment and emotion. Here which I’ll base the credibility of this rules of the game, “but I think Alberta were people enriched by nature—they report. Here were their Best Kept Secrets: Falls is pretty special. So are all the themselves a Best Kept Secret – a part of A.M.B. believed that “Sunsets on trails.” Everyone agreed. Rocky Mountain National Park that Trail Ridge Road” were little known and M.C. turned the focus to “Wildlife.” scientific research has largely ignored. underappreciated, especially when “This park is just perfect for wildlife “The difference between landscape compared to the way sunset-watching has sightings,” he explained, with others and landscape is small,” said Emerson, become an evening ritual at the Grand chiming in, offering quick comments “but there is great difference in the Canyon. about moose and beaver. beholders.” Another specific place was named by J.K., Curt Buchholtz is the Executive “This is not exactly secret either,” he said, Director of the Rocky Mountain Nature Association.

“but Endovalley Picnic Area is a very beautiful place and not that many people know about it.” Rocky Mountain’s were much “Winter trails!” said J.F., adding, more spectacular, she claimed. K.L. was “People just don’t know that you can less verbose, telling of “Rainbows seen after a shower’s passing.” A.C. said the Best Kept Secret was “the untold number of scenes to paint.”

Photo: Dean Martinson Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 3 New RMNA Publication: Ask Nancy [RMNA Quarterly Editor Nancy Wilson will attempt to Guide to Trail unearth answers to any questions asked by RMNA Ridge Road members and park visitors. If you are curious about something in or about the park, write: Nancy Wilson, Brings Depth to RMNA, PO Box 3100, Estes Park, CO 80517. Or email her at [email protected] ] Park’s Scenic What is the current status of mountain lion in the park and is there any research being conducted? No mountain lion research Highway is being conducted specific to Rocky, but a large-scale project is being conducted along the Front Range by Mat Aldredge of the We are pleased to promote one of the newest Colorado Division of Wildlife (http://wildlife.state.co.us/Research/ publications of the Rocky Mountain Nature Association, Mammal) which should provide valuable information on how the Guide to Trail Ridge Road. mountain lions and humans interact, and how we can ensure those The new $2.00 road guide was developed interactions minimize risks to both Puma concolor and Homo sapiens. It’s likely (Ask Nancy: Mountain Lion continued on p. 5) cooperatively with national park staff to update and expand the .50 cent brochure that has been available in With all the fatalities that occurred on Longs Peak this past RMNA bookstores for more than 20 years. summer, does the park have any plans to address this concern, and if so, what are they? Per National Park Service Policy, Originally written by Chief Park Naturalist Glenn RMNP is required to convene a “Board of Review” after each Kaye, this self-guided tour visits 12 marked stops along visitor fatality. The primary purpose of the Board is to examine Trail Ridge Road, North America’s highest continuous and evaluate all of the available facts relating to the accident to paved road and one of the most popular features of the determine causal factors contributing to the mishap and to park. recommend actions (e.g. policies, procedures) to prevent recurrences. Usually, there is little if anything the NPS can do to This 24-page booklet now features expanded prevent recurrences, as most fatalities are accidents that involve information highlighting the four ecosystems the road circumstances and/or individual decisions over which we have no travels through, in addition to other sites and areas of control. While looking for “correctable opportunities,” however, interest along the way. More than 75 stunning images of we often focus on the safety information that we currently provide wildlife, wildflowers and scenery illustrate the text, many to the public. For example, we offer information on hazards and suggested mitigations on trailhead bulletin boards, in the park of which were donated by RMNA Members and RMNA newspaper, in the RMNA Guide, via our new podcast on climbing supporters. Informative sidebars also provide answers to the Keyhole route, on (Ask Nancy: Longs Peak continued on p. 11) many of the questions travelers frequently ask park I understand that the combination of blister rust and mountain rangers. bark beetle are threats to limber pine in Rocky. Will you please Packed with information and images, this is a great explain how a packet such as the one attached to the “high deal for your dollar - and a quick reference you’ll want value” limber pine at the east end of Dream Lake plays a role in to keep on hand. Available in RMNA bookstores at park defense against these threats? The pouch you see attached to the visitor centers, or online at www.rmna.org, or call limber pine at Dream Lake is called verbenone. As you know, mountain pine beetles are having a great impact on limber pine as 800-816-7662 ext. 17 to order your copy today! well as lodgepole and ponderosa pines at a level never seen before in the history of the park. Limber pine are particularly vulnerable due www.rmna.org to low populations, slow growth (some are over 1,000 years old) and also because of attacks by an exotic rust called white pine blister rust. Because of the possibility of losing this important species, park Cover photo credits staff, (Ask Nancy: Hormone Pouches continued on p. 11) Cover photos (clockwise from lower left to upper right): What is the time frame of recovery of the west side forest “North Longs Peak Trail Vista,” by RMNA Member Betty ecosystem after the beetle kill devastation in the Kawuneeche Neale, Estes Park, CO; “Brilliance in Snow,” by RMNA Member Valley? How long will it take for the dead trees to fall?Although Gene Putney, Longmonr, CO; “ ‘Grace Falls” by RMNA the effects of the recent mountain pine beetle outbreak could be considered devastating to the lodgepole overstory (i.e. mature trees) Member Betty Neale, Estes Park, CO. Please send photos or high in the Kawuneeche Valley, I shy away from calling it ‘devastation’. resolution scans to [email protected] by March 1 for Ultimately, it is probably more useful to focus on the new publication in the 2011 Spring Quarterly. regeneration already occurring in areas affected by the mountain Photos are always appreciated! Scenery, wildlife and pine beetle, rather than the long term recovery to achieve the wildflowers greatly enhance this publication so take a hike previous mature lodgepole community, which would be between 80- and carry your camera with you! Think simple and high 150 years. contrast for best reproduction results. Thank You! Generally, lodgepole pine forests experience cycles of growth, maturity and (Ask Nancy: Forest Recovery continued on p. 15) 4 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly an autumn snow, put the by Nina Dutton and Mike fire out. Lewelling The 2010 Cow Creek Fire in Review While the Cow June 24, 2010 promised Creek fire quieted down to be an exciting day in A Fire Management Perspective during July and August, Rocky Mountain National it still was not out in Park. It was the start of a September. Smoke rose new Junior Ranger again September 1 and Firefighter program, a the fire burned another collaboration between the 137 acres, but with Interpretation Division and tundra to the north and the Fire Branch, years in the west of the smoking making. It was also the day material and a solid that the Cow Creek Fire was burned area to the east, found, a fire larger in size the western line of the than the park has seen in fire was monitored and decades. The excitement managed naturally. Fire was just about to begin! continued to burn with The Cow Creek fire was resulting smoke until started by a lightning storm the the Cow Creek fire that had passed north of the photo: Kris Hazelton was officially declared Lumpy Ridge area about two out on December 8. lack of access played a significant role in weeks prior to the fire being reported. From a fire management perspective, decisions about how to manage the fire. The small fire remained subdued until it the Cow Creek fire is a perfect example of The response to this fire was swift: reached enough burnable material, or fuel, the dilemma we face today. Fire has a firefighters from numerous federal to create smoke. This natural event very important natural role in our agencies, smokejumpers, aircraft retardant happens fairly often in our forests: small ecosystem. Individual plants, entire drops, helicopters, state employees, fires are ignited by lightning, nearby fuel forests, and many species of animals have volunteer firefighters, city fire department is consumed, and the fire goes out entirely evolved alongside fire for thousands of personnel and others came to assist. Many on its own with no one ever knowing a fire years. Many species are dependent on fire stores and restaurants donated food and existed. This particular fire burned quietly to clear understory, restore nutrients and water to the effort. for two weeks, and then it suddenly got create new browse for food. Fires that Initially, the park responded to the fire bigger, quickly. have burned in the past also create areas very aggressively, trying to suppress it, The Cow Creek fire grew rapidly for a that can serve as natural fire breaks to slow with a number of personnel on site at the number of reasons: it started during the a new fire down while creating a distinctly end of the day to evaluate and suggest heat of summer in a remote and different habitat within a larger area. With methods for managing the fire. The area inaccessible area of the park that has not fire being a necessary part of our was studied for potential fire movement seen fire for nearly 370 years. Due to the ecosystem, how do we let it return to its based on terrain, slope, burnable materials, seclusion and terrain of the area, the initial natural role in our forests while incoming weather, and many other factors, discovery of the fire was delayed and keeping our firefighters and surrounding and decisions about how to fight the fire subsequent response was challenging. communities safe? Which risks are Once the fire was located (which was were re-evaluated. Firefighter safety and (Cow Creek Fire continued on page 9) actually in the West Creek drainage) the protecting the community of Glen Haven became the primary goals, which meant creating a barrier to the east of the fire to try to limit the growth of the fire toward the town. The fire spread rapidly. On July 3 it had burned 916 acres but was contained on the northeast, east and southern portions. The immediate threat to the area on the park’s eastern boundary was mitigated; however, there was potential for the fire to spread to the west, deeper into the park. It was expected that the fire would likely burn through the remainder of the fire season with the potential of visible smoke Steep slopes, remote location, densely wooded areas until a significant weather event, such as Wildland firefighting requires many skills: mapping, and downed material made firefighting difficult. weather monitoring, leadership and physical fitness, to name a few. Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 5 Managing the Effects of Mountain Pine Beetle in RMNP by Chris Dahl, RMNP Forester Beginning in about 2002, visitors to the insecticide Carbaryl to potentially protect up to western side of Rocky Mountain National Park 5,000 high-value trees from bark beetle infestation. began seeing evidence of what has become an Management activities involve a variety of unprecedented outbreak of mountain pine personnel in the park, ranging from forestry and beetle. Today on the west side, red and grey fire crews to contractors, revegetation specialists trees now blanket the mountains in huge and the public information office. Safety and swaths. The east side of the park is resource protection are at the forefront of chronologically behind the west side, and still managers’ minds. As a result of the high tree exhibits distinct areas of impact, but each year mortality and subsequent risks of falling trees, the areas grow bigger and begin to merge into large-scale tree removals have been conducted and larger patches. What the final beetle kill layout can be seen in areas such as the Timber Creek and will reveal depends greatly on the level of Glacier Basin campgrounds. For many visitors, species diversity, but it’s likely the this seems drastic, but the safety of east side’s mosaic will segue into park visitors is one of the highest a more uniform distribution of red priorities of park managers. and dead trees, similar to the west Material removed has been side. utilized when possible in park Timber Creek (above) and Glacier Basin While these beetles are native trails and facilities projects, for (below) campgrounds in 2010. to the area and have been active firewood, and taken to local on a low level for many years, the processing sites or mills. scale of the current outbreak is a As effects of the outbreak And there’s no question that in looking major deviation. This variation continue to unfold on the eastern past the shades of red and grey, one can can most likely be attributed to a side of the park, allow us to already find evidence that nature is resetting few specific factors, including present an alternative outlook to the clock in many areas. Fresh aspen growth years of drought, large areas of the prevailing attitude of and lodgepole pine seedlings are already mature lodgepole pine forests, devastation or gloom that is growing in many affected areas of the park warmer winters and a practice of becoming increasingly and new tree seedlings and plants are long-term fire suppression in the widespread. To begin with, the beginning to fill in the gaps. In addition, in park and in other public lands current beetle outbreak has many ways, beetle-killed trees benefit the areas. As a result, native mountain provided many opportunities for ecosystem. Standing dead trees provide pine beetle populations have collaboration with other agencies habitat for woodpeckers and other cavity increased throughout areas of the and researchers. New questions nesting birds. Downed trees make homes for Rocky Mountain U.S. and have arisen and lessons learned many small animals. It’s true – appearances Canada, and by the autumn of may be utilized to identify ways to of forested landscapes throughout the park The park has used 2009, approximately 67% of the protect sensitive species and minimize have changed – yet another reminder of the Carbaryl as one method dynamic environment in which we live, forested areas within the park had of protecting high value the potential for future outbreaks of been affected by the beetles. trees, this magnitude. work and play. Since 2005, the park has implemented an adaptive, proactive bark beetle (Ask Nancy: Mountain Lion, continued) that some of the radio-collared animals from the study will wander into our vicinity, especially on the east side of the park. management program, focusing on mitigating In addition, a non-profit organization, Rocky Mountain Cat Conservancy hazard trees to protect life and property and (www.catconservancy.org) has been active in the Estes Valley for several years, protecting high-value trees and resources. This and works with high school students on mountain lion conservation and education adaptive program has included the addition of projects, including monitoring lions through the use of trail cameras (the website personnel, protocol and equipment for has some of their photos). monitoring and identifying hazard trees at more Although we have no research-based population estimate for the park, it than 400 high visitor-use near park facilities wouldn’t be surprising if 20 to 30 mountain lion use the park as at least part of their 50 to 150 square-mile home ranges. The general consensus among many such as campgrounds, parking lots, housing wildlife professionals is that mountain lion populations are stable to increasing in areas, trailheads and visitor centers. Each site is Colorado and in most occupied areas of the U.S. assessed annually for hazard trees and plans are If you happen to be one of the very few folks who see a mountain lion in the developed and prioritized for appropriate park, or come across a predation site (mountain lions cover their kills with twigs, hazard mitigation. Another management leaves and soil), please let the park Information Office know at 586-1206.—RMNP objective is to carefully and selectively use the Biologist Gary C. Miller 6 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly From Behind the Scenes Efforts to Major High Profile Incidents: ANOTHER BUSY YEAR IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK by Kyle Patterson four years. All aspects of the construction Rocky Mountain National Park have been funded by gas taxes through the celebrated its 95th birthday this year. On Federal Lands Highway Program for a The Next Generation Fund campaign funded January 26, 1915, President Woodrow total of $34.2 million. It is the first major a number of environmental education interns Wilson signed the act establishing Rocky work on the road since it was built in this last year. Mountain National Park. This culminated 1932. Starting next spring, there will be an effort by many in Colorado and many more decades to come without elsewhere to set aside a scenic portion of construction delays on Trail Ridge Road. the southern Rockies for the enjoyment of Rocky Mountain National Park’s present and future generations. Since that Biennial Research Conference was held in time, Rocky Mountain National Park has March. The park hosts one of the largest evolved into one of Colorado’s major research programs in the National Park tourist destinations. People from all over System, with more than 100 research the United States and the world come to permits active each year. This year’s experience this scenic wonderland. conference was the highest attended with In March, Rocky also celebrated the over one hundred scientists, social one year anniversary of the park’s scientists, historians and the public Trail Ridge Road now sports the newly wilderness designation. The 2010 Lyceum discussing a variety of research projects. resurfaced look of a well-tended highway. program, for which the Rocky Mountain Bark beetles continue to be active Construction is complete! Nature Association (RMNA) provided within Rocky Mountain National Park, financial support, focused on how impacting large numbers of conifer trees. wilderness influences what we do as The park’s priorities for mitigation of the stewards of this incredible national park. effects of beetles are focused on removing In May, Rocky Mountain National hazard trees and hazard fuels related to the Park was named the Number 2 Outdoor & protection of life and property. For Adventure Destination in the World on several years, Rocky Mountain National Trip Advisor, a popular travel website. It Park has had a proactive bark beetle was the only location in the United States management program. In 2010, the park in their top ten list. continued its mitigation efforts, including The park’s Elk and Vegetation spraying, removal of hazard trees, Management Plan continued its second prescribed burns, utilizing the air curtain burner, pheromone treatments and A private airplane crashed in Forest Canyon year of implementation. It relies on a this summer. variety of conservation tools including implementing temporary closures in a fencing, elk redistribution, vegetation variety of park locations. (See article on restoration and culling. page 5) A major resurfacing project took place The park received more than $2.5 this summer and early fall on a 19-mile million in American Recovery and section of Trail Ridge Road from the Reinvestment Act funds. Funded projects Colorado River Trailhead to Rainbow included: eliminating hazardous trees Curve. This project also involved killed by mountain pine beetles in high resurfacing all major overlook parking use areas; realigning segments of the areas, pull-offs and the parking lot at the Continental Divide Trail; replacing Alpine Visitor Center. The project was numerous footbridges on trails throughout scheduled to take place during two the park; rehabilitating the Alpine Visitor summers but the project was completed a Center Trail; replacing the deteriorated year ahead of schedule and within budget boardwalk at Many Parks Curve; replacing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ($17.2 million). Major work has occurred failing sewer lines and resurfacing roads funds funded the replacement of the deteriorated boardwalk at Many Parks Curve. on Trail Ridge Road for three of the past in Glacier Basin and Timber Creek Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 7 campgrounds. to youth programs this year. The Numerous high profile incidents in the Junior Ranger program was so park kept park staff extremely busy this popular the park nearly ran out of year. The Cow Creek Fire started in late supplies in August! The June (see article on page 4) and the Environmental and Outreach Onahu Fire occurred on September 18. Education program remains strong, There were many challenging rescues serving approximately 12,000 including a small plane crash with two youth and families annually. survivors in Forest Canyon and an Fourteen students and recent overnight rescue of a technical climber on graduates served as interns Longs Peak. Sadly, there were seven working alongside professional fatalities in the park this year, six of which park interpreters and educators to were falling fatalities. explore career opportunities. Donated RMNA contributions funded Truly, the continued financial Prescribed burning in Beaver Meadows the Haiyaha to Alberta Falls trail work support of park supporters has made segment. This was the second year of the a difference in increasing and improving wildlife viewing. It’s safe to assume that project, with work completed this year by learning opportunities for youth. these experiences are prolific! Make a trip volunteers, park trail crews and RMNA’s These are the highlights of 2010 from to Rocky and create your own highlights American Conservation Corp. an overall park perspective, but there’s no in this amazing park! The Next Generation Fund, a park- way to acknowledge the number of park Kyle Patterson is the RMNP Public approved fund raising effort spear-headed visitors that found their highlights along Information Officer by RMNA, provided tremendous support the trails, or with family gatherings, or

11. “Giardia” is not a disease, but a genus of parasitic microorganisms ParkPark PuzzlerPuzzler that cause the disease called ___, known to give its sufferers that “get byby RMNARMNA MemberMember JoelJoel KaplowKaplow up and go” feeling for weeks - always treat your stream water! 12. With its numerous field seminars, the RMNA thinks of the Park as a “___ without walls” ACROSS 13. RMNP is home to the world’s fastest bird, the ___ falcon, which 1. The volcano-shaped mountain to the west of Twin Sisters Peaks is ___ Cone can dive at over 200 mph and feeds exclusively on other birds 4. If the current list of RMNA Field Seminars doesn’t float your boat, RMNA 15. Studies in the Park indicate that when elk graze on willows, thus will create ___ seminars tailored to your specifications shortening their stalks, it can cause a decline in the local ___ 6. During peak season, the Park has a seven-night stay limit for campers population if they both inhabit the same area that’s extended to ___ nights between October to May 16. Lightning caused the ___ Creek fire which burned almost 1,000 7. ___ Mountain is found between Mts. Cirrus and Cumulus in the Never acres north of Lumpy Ridge last June Summer Range 17. ___ are allowed to “hoof it” on 260 of the 350 miles of RMNP’s 8. Due to a limited drinking water supply, Park guests are encouraged to fill hiking trails reusable containers at any of the ___ centers 10. The ___ is a stretch of the route up Longs between the Keyhole and the Trough 14. The Grand Ditch collects water draining off the Never Summers and channels it into ___ Reservoir just across Continental Divide on the Atlantic side 16. Appropriately named, Lake of the ___ is found under Mt. Cirrus on the Park’s west side 18. The ___ is a segment of Longs Peak’s Keyhole route that connects the top of the Trough with the bottom of the Homestretch 19. Completed in 1920, ___ Road was the first route in the Park that enabled visitors to drive up to the tundra (2 wds.) 20. Considered to be RMNP’s most troublesome weed, invasive Canadian ___ is being sprayed with herbicide on the east side of the Park

DOWN 2. Name the snowfield near the Keyhole on Longs Peak that resembles a bird in flight (2 wds.) 3. The high point on Trail Ridge Road (12,183’) is located near the summit of ___ Mountain 4. Boulder-Grand Pass is named such not because it is strewn with boulders and looks “grand,” but because it’s where those two ___ meet 5. When viewed from Denver, what most folks call Longs Peak is actually massive Mt. ___, with only Longs Peak’s summit block barely visible behind its apex 9. How many years has Curt Buchholtz been with RMNA? 8 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly

RMNP Volunteer Office: A Hive of Constant Activity Meet Kathleen Kelly, the Queen Bee, Herself!

Kathleen’s first permanent NPS job one-time visit for a specific purpose, was at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal such as school groups, churches, service National Historic Park (C & O Canal.) organizations, Boy Scouts and Girl She worked in interpretation in what she Scouts. calls “a unique way to make a living,” To keep this bee hive humming, by Heidi Buchholtz overseeing a living history program from Kathleen has a full-time seasonal If any office in Rocky Mountain the 1870’s complete with mules pulling a assistant, Flo Bielat. In addition, an National Park could be compared to a replica canal boat. She not only handled intern helps with data entry and two beehive, without a doubt it would be that the mules but also worked the boats, the volunteers perform database work as of RMNP Volunteer Program lift lock and gave history programs on well. During the summers, a total of six Coordinator, Kathleen Kelly. This year the boat. to seven volunteers help run the alone, 1,699 volunteers put in 102,240 One of the more unusual examples of volunteer program. “How wonderful is hours of volunteer labor. We salute you, the “poof factor” in Kathleen’s life was that?” Kathleen asks. Queen Bee, and all of your priceless when she became an historic weapons The park website has approximately volunteer bees! inspector. Though not an obvious fit for 2,300 pages, and managing all the Kathleen had a wonderfully varied her, she is now an authority on something information could be a full-time job in Park Service career before landing here she never would have guessed she’d have itself. Deleting old online brochures, in Rocky, and she attributes much of it to an interest. Another opportunity that papers, reports, etc. and plugging in the what she calls the “poof factor” – in presented itself outside her expected newest versions requires endless other words, being at the right place at realm was the opportunity to become the vigilance – updating is endless. Also the right time. A career with the Park website manager at C & O. posted on the website are the ranger Service wasn’t even on her radar when After six years of working mules, programs, certain press releases, and a she graduated with a BA in political Rocky announced a job opening in the myriad of other news items and reports. science and a BS in news editorial volunteer office with the added duties of For instance, one can find a section on journalism from the University of website management. Kathleen had been forest health, updates on the Hot Shot Illinois. She went right to work at the hoping to get west to the Rockies, and crew, or a weekly report on Longs Peak. Quad City Times. loves the challenge of an office where Every national park uses a website But while in grad school in “the in-box is never empty.” template with standard, recognizable environmental studies at Northwestern Kathleen works directly with park graphics and a similar format so that an University, she was the recipient of an supervisors to match project needs with online visitor can easily peruse the site. Student Conservation Association (SCA) volunteer talents and interests. Keeping Each park’s content is, of course, very internship at Shenandoah National Park, track of people, records and hours is part unique. working as a resource assistant in and parcel of the job, and when the year In keeping with her current vocation, interpretation. After that first summer, comes to a close her office puts on a Kathleen is a volunteer herself. Every she was hired as a seasonal at volunteer appreciation event. week she goes to the bunny rescue in Shenandoah and remained there for three Volunteer opportunities in the park Broomfield. “I can’t volunteer at work more summers. are widely varied, but with three million so I volunteer there.” She keeps a cat Over the course of the next several visitors to the park, much of the work and four rabbits of her own. “The first years, numerous NPS seasonal deals with visitors. In total, volunteers two bunnies were given to me by a friend opportunities included working as a fill more than a hundred roles and do who threatened to eat them otherwise,” volunteers in resource management at everything except fee collection and law she said. In what free time she has, Indiana Dunes, at Isle Royale for two enforcement. They oversee sledding at Kathleen likes to read, watch movies and summers, San Antonio Missions for a Hidden Valley, greet visitors at trailheads, go hiking. Her favorite hike is Mills winter in administration, two winters at the pull invasive plants, and even look for Lake. Arizona Memorial, Acadia for a summer, slime molds. “The breadth of what the So, if you encounter Kathleen on a Everglades for a winter, and Denali for a volunteers do in this park is pretty hike to Mill’s Lake, be sure to stop and summer with visitor protection services. amazing,” Kathleen said. About one-half say hi – and let her fill you in on the All of this during which Kathleen of the volunteers are local, and the rest exciting volunteer opportunities that completed her masters degree. are “episodic volunteers” that come for a might be up your alley!. Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 9

LET’S TAKE A HIKE! As Members of the Rocky Mountain Nature Association, we know the tranquility and excitement that are the rewards of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. How can one forget the rush of cresting a hill to view a crystal clear lake lying like a jewel amidst the rocky terrain. Or the satisfaction of reaching a goal and soaking in the sun at the long-awaited destination. Or the simplicity of a solitary pink wildflower on the banks of a meandering stream. For all of us, Rocky Mountain National Park holds a special place in our hearts. Join Membership Manager Curtis Carman, and special park guests, for monthly hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park throughout the year! This free hiking series was designed to give RMNA Members the opportunity to hike to various sites in Rocky Mountain National Park with a group of like-minded individuals while learning more about RMNA, RMNP, and each other. Limited to 15 people per hike, outings will explore a different area in Rocky Mountain National Park each month. Come with your questions about current RMNA projects, park management issues and natural history. To sign up for a hike, call Curtis Carman at (970) 586-0108 Or, email him at [email protected]. Winter Dates: January 21- Emerald Lake February 18- The Loch March 25- Glacier Creek Trail to Sprague Lake Attention Rocky Mountain Kids’ Club Members!

We are llooking forward to a New! and Improved! Rocky Mountain Kids’ Club newsletter! Beginning in January, 2011, all Kids’ Club Members will receive the newsletter four times a year, instead of New aspen seedlings were already sprouting in the wake of the monthly. BUT – the new format will be expanded to include Cow Creek Fire at the end of the summer. additional features highlighting Rocky Mountain National Park, including: (Cow Creek Fire continued from p.4) Six full pages! acceptable and what inconveniences are we willing to accept More games! to allow fire to return to a more natural role? Is a small New activities! amount of smoke acceptable? And much more! These tough and often controversial questions confront If you have questions or comments please call Membership fire managers in all agencies and concern neighboring Manager Curtis Carman at (970) 586-0108, or email him at communities. With the uncertainty of climate change and the adverse effects of beetle-killed trees, the potential for larger [email protected] fires exists in the future. The fire activity this summer is a good reminder to take the necessary precautions to protect our homes. More information on preparing for a wildfire can be found at www.firewise.org.

Nina Dutton is the RMNP Fire Business & Budget Manager and Mike Lewelling is the Fire Manager for RMNP. 10 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly are 6’4” tall, high enough to keep elk out while allowing smaller animals to enter under AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE: the 16” gap at the bottom, and with gates for human entry. In 2009, the park lethally removed 33 elk ELK MANAGEMENT IN RMNP (13 from culling, 20 in support of research to understand Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)) by Park Ranger Lori Romeand RMNP the ecosystem. With greater numbers and and 48 elk in 2010 (23 from culling, 25 in Information Officer Kyle Patterson concentrations of elk and less migratory support of CWD research). CDOW is using a Rocky Mountain National Park was behavior, vegetation suffers in both winter lottery system for meat disbursement. established by Congress in 1915, in part for and summer ranges – and the effects are Each fall since 2008, exclosure fences the preservation of its diverse wildlife and rippling. With constant elk herbivory, seedling have been installed in areas in the elk winter habitats. Today, preservation is facing survival of montane riparian willow is almost ranges, including Moraine Park, Beaver challenges. The ecological balance of the park non-existent, so new young plants are not Meadows and Horseshoe Park. While has many variables, but one of the primary available to replace older plants as they die. unsightly to many, these fences are important threats to its equilibrium is, paradoxically, one Intense herbivory changes the character of management tools allowing for the restoration of its native species – elk. Though a natural willow communities from one of tall, robust of important riparian willow habitat for a component of the park, elk are increasing in shrubs to one of small, hedged bushes. With variety of plant and animal species. Of the population numbers beyond the environmental fewer tall willows, the park’s winter elk range 3,400 acres of open habitat types in the capacity, unintentionally damaging the has seen a 90% decrease in beaver activity montane elk winter range in the park, 1454 ecosystem that many species depend upon for which contributes to a large decrease in acres of willow habitat and 486 acres of aspen survival. Restoration of a balanced elk surface water, which in turn inhibits the have been protected within fences. This population and ecosystem will take time and a water-loving willow’s survivability. Elk can represents 5% of these habitats and just over significant amount of work. also limit aspen cloning (the replacement of half of the 365 acres that can be protected on The story of elk in Rocky is complicated. older aspen by young sprouts). Research the east side of the park as part of the Before major settlement, native elk shared the consistently shows that continued high elk implementation of the management plan. In environment with numerous species, densities could result in a complete loss of response to research and public input, the including a variety of predators that helped aspen trees on the winter range. Herbaceous decision to construct more exclosure fences maintain ecological balance. By the 1880s, plant communities are also being altered by ultimately reduces the culling numbers of elk. elk were extirpated from the Estes Park the high consumption rates, causing other Fences are temporary and vegetation valley, primarily from overhunting. Bison, plants and animals to be deprived of conditions will be assessed every 5 years to grizzly bear and wolf were extirpated shortly important habitat. evaluate how well management objectives are thereafter. In 1913, elk were reintroduced The 2007 Elk and Vegetation being met, and to determine when fences can from native populations in Yellowstone, Management Plan Final Environmental be removed. hunting was banned and elk flourished, Impact Statement is the result of seven years Elk and vegetation management will increasing in the first two decades from 530 of research and four years of interagency continue to be a challenge for Rocky – long to 350 animals. By 1930, the elk population planning and public input. A preferred into the future. Changing conditions in the had grown to a point that the ecosystem was alternative was selected and a record of environment and climate will require showing signs of deterioration. In 1943 the decision was signed in 2008, followed by the continued research and adaptive management National Park Service (NPS) created the first beginning phase of implementation. Lethal for the park – and continued cooperation of elk and deer management plan in response to reduction, or culling, of elk within the all stakeholders to bring balance back to the growing concerns. To control overpopulation, National Park by NPS lead teams consisting ecosystem for the future. lethal reduction of elk as well as live trapping of qualified volunteers, as well as Colorado http://www.nps.gov/romo/parkmgmt/elkveget followed by relocation to areas outside the Division of Wildlife staff, is being used to ation.htm park, occurred intermittently from 1944 reach and maintain a target population of through 1962, ceasing in 1968. Beginning in 1,600 to 2,100 elk, with 600-800 elk using the winter range inside the National Park. References: 1969 the population was allowed to grow RMNP, Final Elk and Vegetation Management without any management controls, and by Another critical management tool has been the installation of exclosure fences to keep elk Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Dec. 2007 2001 more than 3,000 elk resided in the RMNP Continental Divide Research Learning out of selected areas of protected aspen and winter range of the Estes Valley area. Center, Project Summaries riparian willow in order to promote Without significant natural predators, RMNP, Elk and Vegetation Mgt Plan, Feb 2010 unmanaged elk populations are destructive to restoration in these habitats. Surprising to RMNP, Public Affairs update, Nov 2010 visitors in a national park context, the fences

Photo: Dean Martinson Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 11 Rocky Mountain Field Seminars: New offerings to entice new audiences

Campfire Ghost Stories: Living History owls, enjoying a campfire and relaxing Tales of the West will be offered on June with new friends. Daytime activities will 23, 30 and July 7 and 14. Each evening include excursions into Rocky Mountain will feature a different living history National Park to look for birds like The Rocky Mountain Field Seminars character such as Enos Mills, Iron Thumb warblers, hummingbirds and eagles. This catalog is out and in the mail! Our goal is (fur trapper), Abner Sprague and Isabella course is perfect for the beginning birder, for all of our participants, young and old, Bird. These hour-long presentations about so kids, bring your binoculars and join in to experience Rocky in a new way. Check the history and adventures of these past the fun! out some of the new programs for 2011: residents and visitors to Estes Valley will end with time for questions and roasting Visit our website at www.rmna.org or call Winter Ecology: A Snowshoeing Trek for marshmallows around a campfire, 970-586-3262 for more information. Our Families will be held January 22; compliments of RMNA. Listen in as 2011 Field Seminar brochure will be in February 5, 19; and March 5, 19 in 2011. these characters recount tales of humor, mailboxes soon, offering exciting classes Participants can discover the serene beauty exploration and danger; learn what life for 2011. We look forward to seeing you of RMNP in the winter on this four-hour was like for them during their stay in and on an educational adventure soon!!! snowshoe hike. This fun and educational around Rocky Mountain National Park. program will lead participants through snow-covered pine, spruce and fir trees to A children’s overnight educational learn how plants and animals survive experience, Jr. Naturalist Camp: A winter using their unique adaptations and Birding Adventure will be held from June keen survival skills. Students also will 16-18 at the YMCA of the Rockies. Kids learn more about the properties of snow will enjoy learning about RMNP’s birds and how it can help flora and fauna during this three-day two-night camp survive the long winter months. which will include bird identification and Snowshoes are provided for kids 13 and behavior, habitat exploration, interactive younger, and all children under the age of games, hiking and other fun activities. 5 participate for free. Kids will spend evenings listening for

(Ask Nancy: Longs Peak, continued) (Ask Nancy: Hormone Pouches, continued) backcountry permits, during interpretive programs and in ranger in collaboration with USFS staff, is developing a long stations. We also acknowledge that, increasingly, visitors are term sustainability plan that involves protecting some obtaining information from sources over which the park has no trees from beetle attack to act as a seed source and to control, such as websites and guidebooks. Unfortunately, some find out if some of the park trees have resistance to of this information is not always the best, or even accurate. white pine blister rust. We presently are conducting We have already convened a BOR for our first five genetic analysis from seed collected from the trees with fatalities. Specific to the two fatalities on the Keyhole Route, we the pouches. have put together a working group to examine our safety The pouch contains a pheromone that was information more closely and provide specific recommendations developed from the pheromone emitted by beetles when on changes that might provide more accurate information that they attack a tree. Females first emit a pheromone that better manages user expectations. Part of this exercise has attracts males to a tree so they can mate. Once the included consultation with the DOI Solicitor's Office to obtain females burrow into the tree and start laying eggs they input from a legal "duty to warn" perspective. emit another type of pheronone to keep other beetles Again, our desire is to do the best job we can to provide away. The pheromone verbenone is a type of biological appropriate and accurate information to park users. "Safety is control that does not kill the beetles like an insecticide your responsibility" is among these messages and, ultimately, would, but instead, fools the beetles into avoiding the this is where it matters most. What users do with the tree to which the pouch is attached.—RMNP Resources information that is provided is up to them.—RMNP Chief Management Specialist Jeff Connor Ranger, Mark Magnuson 12 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly The Rocky Mountain National Park Fund expresses special thanks to the following people for their generous donations to Rocky Mountain National Park projects:

UNRESTRICTED GIFTS Roger Chilson, Windsor, CO Coral and Bruce Harper, San Jose, CA In Honor of Rob and Jan Ludlum Barb Chingren, Fort Dodge, IA Dianne and James Harper, Fort Collins, CO: for Christmas DESIGNATED HIGHEST PRIORITY Rob and Lin Chirico, Longmont, CO In Honor of Art and Bettie Wilcox Fred F. Lyle, Jr., San Antonio, TX Jean Christian, Camby, IN Paul Harrington, Granby, CO F. James and B. Jane Lynch, Tucson, AZ Mike and Gloria Clement, Manchester, MO Jennifer Harris, Kansas City, MO Tom and Barb Macgillivray, Windsor, CO Delia and Phil Acosta, San Antonio, TX Rita Cody, Fort Worth, TX Benjamin Harrison, Boulder, CO Howard C. MacMillan, Lafayette, CO Dianna and Joe Adorjan, Saint Louis, MO Beatrice Coleman, Estes Park, CO Rudi Hartmann and Kathleen Newman, Robert J. Mann and Judith Christy, Daniel Ahlers, Southlake, TX Jane Vesy Colrud, Sun City West, AZ Denver, CO Fort Collins, CO Kenneth and Donna Allen, Estes Park, CO W. Perry Conway, Louisville, CO Eric Haugdahl, Tallahassee, FL Fred Mares and Paulette Robles, Robert and Mary Amann, Lake Mills, WI Judith and David Coogan, Lincoln, IL Robert and Colleen Haven, Louisville, CO Estes Park, CO David & Lynne Anderson, Saint Louis, MO Robert Copple, Elkhorn, NE Mary Jo Havlicek, Omaha, NE Pat and David Maslowski, Drake, CO Anonymous Barbara Corwin, Colorado Springs, CO James and Carol Hecker, Cheyenne, WY Frances and Albert Matteucci, Stockton, CA Paul and Elaine Arguien, Grand Lake, CO Bert Corwin, Missoula, MT Ann P. Hector, Dumont, CO Oliver and Opal Mayfield, Tucson, AZ James and Nancy Arndt, Loveland, CO Lisa Covert, Denver, CO Barbara and Michael Helm, Hot Springs Ross and Greta McCarty, Johnston, IA M. E. and Helen Arnold, Tulsa, OK John and Suzanne Cruse, Evergreen, CO Nat’l Park, AR Bonnie McLaren, Denver, CO Jim and Cathy AuBuchon, Leawood, KS Martin & Debbie Cunningham, Lea Hemphill, Estes Park, CO Jerry and Linda Mead, Ft. Collins, CO Elmer and Marvel Aurand, Ames, IA: Brenham, TX Marilyn & Edward Herrmann, Paula and Frank Megorden, In Honor of C. W. Buchholtz Susan S. Davis, Kingfield, ME Estes Park, CO Colorado Springs, CO Jane Axtell, Morrison, CO Catie Deines, Aurora, CO Nancy Higbee, Perris, CA Marilyn and Donald Mestnik, Robert and Yadja Bacher, Fort Collins, CO Robert Dekker, Estes Park, CO Frank and Alma Hix, Estes Park, CO Centennial, CO Karla Bachman, Lincoln, NE Linda Delano, Boulder, CO Robert and Barbara Hoel, Windsor, CO Rose Marie Miller, Loveland, CO Constance & Peter Badger, Springfield, VA Margaret Dellinger, Indianapolis, IN Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO Dann Milne, Denver, CO David Baker, Salt Lake Cty, UT J. B. and Nancy deRosset, Miami, FL Richard W. Holmes, Boulder, CO Gretchen Mitterer and Daniel Myers, Martha and Don Baker, Castle Rock, CO Kathleen Drever, Belton, MO Robert Horbelt, Littleton, CO Littleton, CO Brian and Mary Bakke, Naperville, IL Charles and Pam Droste, Shell Rock, IA Jesse and Martha Hord, Windsor, CO Sharon and John H. Mize, San Antonio, TX Jim and Sue Baldwin, Loveland, CO Len and Barb Dryer, Parker, CO Lynne Horning, Washington, DC Carleton and Diane Moore, Mesa, AZ Keith Barbagelott, Puyallup, WA James Durand, Fort Collins, CO Martha and Gregory Hughes, Princeton, NJ Jerry Moore, Estes Park, CO Robert Barber, Arvada, CO Charlotte and Tom Dyer, Chelsea, AL: Ned Husman, Centennial, CO Stephen and Molly Moore, A Marlene and John Barnes, Fort Madison, IA On behalf of Don and Lyda Kratz Sara Huth, Estes Park, CO lbuquerque, NM Vincent & Sandra Basanavage, Yardley, PA Renate Edmundson, Estes Park, CO Jane and Michael Imber, Lawrence, KS Pat Mulligan, Boulder, CO Diane and Robert Bassett, Greeley, CO Luke and Teresa Ellis, Fort Worth, TX Laird & Carol Ingham, Richard and Louise Naftz, Denver, CO John N. and Nina S. Bates, Rudd, IA Marilyn Sue Ellison, Ventura, CA Hollywood Park, TX John M. and Marsha Neel, Wichita, KS George and Ida Bathey, Houston, TX Terry and Janet Estes, Estes Park, CO Joan and Anthony Japha, New York, NY David and Ann Nelson, Kansas City, MO Donald Bauman, Wilmington, DE, Dr. Jean E. Fair Trust, Grosse Pointe, MI Linda and James Jeffress, Fort Worth, TX Enos Nelson, Indianapolis, IN Jonathan & Jennifer Beener, Brookfield, IL Maurice and Beatrice Farnan, Denver, CO John Johnson and Cynthia White Johnson, Jennings, Cherry, Derek Newcom, Laurel and Donald Benson, Loveland, CO Stephen and Eileen Field, Divide, CO Cedar Rapids, IA Westminster, CO Judy and David Berg, Eugene, OR Isabella Finkelstein, Atlanta, GA Vicki Johnson, Denver, CO Jess and Harriet Nielsen, North Platte, NE John and Connie Berry, Castle Rock, CO Guido & Annemarie Finocchiaro, Thomas and Joy Johnston, Greeley, CO David and Denise Noe, Boulder, CO Harriett Bible, Rochester, MN Estes Park, CO Harriet & David Jones, Timothy Oates, Loveland, CO Jon and Carolyn Bible, Austin, TX Steven M. Fishburn, Austin, TX Arlington Heights, IL John and Christine O’Brien, Osprey, FL James & Betty Jean Bingham, Richard J. Flynn, Boulder, CO J.R. and Nancy Jones, Neosho, WI Orange Tree Productions, Overland Park, KS Lowell and Jane Fortune, Littleton, CO Robert M. Jordan, Midwest City, OK Newbury Park, CA John and Anita Bloor, Centennial, CO Bill and Kim Francis, Flower Mound, TX Denise Juif-Pomerleau, Aurora, CO Dr. Edmund Orsini & Dr. Christine David and Carol Bogenschutz, Grafton, WI Kay Franklin, Estes Park, CO Gary and Pamela Jurgemeyer, Plano, TX Robinson, Littleton, CO Mr. & Mrs. Philip Bogetto, William and Clare Freas, Dillon, CO John and Pamela Keffer, Carlsbad, CA Mary and Tom O’Toole, Gaithersburg, MD Fort Collins, CO Lyman and Fran Freemon, Lincoln, NE Lydia Kelley, Tucson, AZ Lewis and Ann Palmer, Parker, CO Mary Borg, Greeley, CO Betty Freudenburg, Colorado Springs, CO Richard and Linda Kelley, Englewood, CO Connie and Claude Parrott, Austin, TX Arnold Braasch, Rensselaer, IN Robert Fullerton, Highlands Ranch, CO David Kinser, Champaign, IL Judith Pearson, Ft. Collins, CO Richard and Dorothy Bradley, Veronica Galeski, Gold Canyon, AZ Bonnie Kissling, Denver, CO James and Karmen Penfold, Greeley, CO Colorado Springs, CO James & Margery Giguere, Estes Park, CO Rich Klein, Mount Carroll, IL Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Perry, Georgetown, TX Susan Brainerd, Edwards, CO Richard & Phyllis Gilliland, Estes Park, CO Kurt and Lisa Knutson, Vernon Hills, IL John Rush Pierce, Jr. and Diane Goodwin Denise and Mark Bretting, Loveland, CO Duane and Janet Gingrich, Atlanta, GA Donna Kortemeyer, Colorado Springs, CO Pierce, Albuquerque, NM Horace and Sue Brown, Boerne, TX Autumn and John Githara, Monument, CO Andrew and Judy Kramer, Broomfield, CO Steve and Ann Pisarik, Windsor Heights, IA H. Bruggink, Wauwatosa, WI Marcella Godinez, Leawood, KS George and Ludene Krem, Berthoud, CO Richard and Phyllis Preston, Barry Bryan, Glenside, PA Jacob and Beth Goering, North Newton, KS Alice and Warren Kruse, Lakewood, CO Windsor Heights, IA Ann and Russ Buckley, Erie, CO Thomas Gootz, Deep River, CT Christopher J. Kyle, Galloway, NJ Elizabeth Pruessner, Fort Collins, CO Judith and Mark Burke, Omaha, NE Pat Grady, Longmont, CO Ernie and Jackie Leach, Bellville, TX Fred Rainguet, Ph.D., Allenspark, CO Joe and Martha Burt, Houston, TX Gertrude Grant, Denver, CO Jack F. Leary, Falls Church, VA James and Kathy Raybin, Boulder, CO Marie Bush, Lafayette, CO Thomas and Jean Griesan, Joseph M. Lee, Saint Louis, MO Frank and Nancy Reilly, Phillipsburg, NJ David and Marcie Calandra, Hinsdale, IL Colorado Springs, CO Anne Lehndorf, Loveland, CO Bob Renwick, Albuquerque, NM Minerva Canavan, Boulder, CO Julie and Steve Griffin, Fraser, CO Linda and Jason Lillegraven, Laramie, WY Beverly Rich, Chicago, IL R. Laurent & Betsy Cannon, Chuck and Nancy Grob, Houston, TX Maisie Livengood, Aurora, CO Mary Lou Riedy, Wauwatosa, WI Centennial, CO Richard & Kathy Groshong, Tuscaloosa, AL Kate Loberg-Sonderup, Plymouth, MN James and Linda Riles, Saint Louis, MO Peggy Carr, Denton, TX Margaret & George Guthrie, Estes Park, CO John and Georgia Locker, Fort Collins, CO Mary Roberts-Bailey, Athens, GA Tom Caudill, Lexington, KY Reginald and Judy Guy, Estes Park, CO Roger and Ann Lott, Lincoln, NE David and Janet Robertson, Boulder, CO Margaret M. Chamberlain, Northbrook, IL Dr. Denise E. Hall, Greeley, CO Thomas S. and Dorothy C. Ludlum, Bruce and Jacquyln Rolstad, Estes Park, CO Robert J. Checkley and Susan Kummer, Lois Hansen, Golden, CO Columbus, OH: Scott Royer, Greeley, CO High Ridge, MO Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 13 Jane Ruesch, Arlington Heights, IL Cheshire, CT: Marvin and Lela Criswell, Fort Collins, CO Gerald and Hazel Maharry, Lenox, IA Joseph and Barbara Rumburg, Rio Rico, AZ In Memory of Bruce Figgatt Richard and Donna Curtis, Brewster, MA Mary Masilak, Joliet, IL Darrell and Judith Schaper, Britt, IA Walter Richards, Estes Park, CO: Christopher & Patricia Daly, Margaret & Larry Mason, Fort Collins, CO Stephen and Susan Schell, Fort Collins, CO In Memory of Dick Lang Rosemount, PA Judy Matthews, Ft. Collins, CO Sandra Schmoker, Ann Arbor, MI: Leonard Siekmeier, Colorado Springs, CO: John & Terry Dammann, Chevy Chase, MD Martha L. Maxwell, Boulder, CO A Christmas Gift In Honor of Steven & In Memory of Elizabeth Siekmeier Darryl and Carolyn De Mara, Lafayette, CO Anne McLellan, Greeley, CO Marla Hendry, Suzanne Sutherland, Doris and Jack Berryhill, Estes Park, CO: Eugene and Sue Delves, Chicago, IL Dan Michener, Austin, TX Robert Schmoker In Memory of Eugene Gene Helmberger Brian and Louise Desmond, Estes Park, CO Guy Miller, High Rolls Mtn Park, NM Leslie Seiders, Phelan, CA Glonda Hix, Estes Park, CO: Louise Desmond, Estes Park, CO Jacquelin Mintal, Chicago, IL Joseph Shields, Silver Spring, MD In Memory of George J. Hix Robert H. and Marta DiCarlo, Denver, CO Ruth Ann and Gene Mitchell, Carlsbad, CA Janice Shirey, Louisville, CO Centura Health, Denver, CO: Craig Dierksen, Kiowa, CO Merle and Patricia Moore, Estes Park, CO John and Karen Sinclair, Loveland, CO In Memory of Marge McLellan Bill Dreas, Wildwood, MO William & Rosemary Morris, Thornton, CO Peter & Stephanie Sinnott, Glen Haven, CO Susan N. Moore, Estes Park, CO: Susan Egan & Eric Elsinghorst, Terri Morrow, Estes Park, CO Gene and Virginia Slack, Aurora, CO In Memory of Mary Ann Belshan Lawrence, KS Pam Mottet, Alliance, NE Dixon and Ole Smith, Golden, CO Reginald Fogg, Fallbrook, CA: Barbara Ellis, Thornton, CO Vince Muehe, Prior Lake, MN Don Smith, Denver, CO In Memory of Mary L. Fogg Richard Ernst, Manchester, MO Marilyn Murphy and Robert Medlock, Bertha Spear, Denver, CO Polly A. Dammann and Timothy Shaheen, Estes Park Running Club, Inc., Fort Collins, CO June and Peter Sprenkle, Boulder, CO Falls Church, VA: Estes Park, CO Betty Neale, Estes Park, CO Deborah Stephens, Kiowa, CO In Memory of Mrs. Fitton Rosemary Evans, Caliente, CA Joan Nesselroad, Estes Park, CO Mary and Tom Stevens, Paige, TX Larae and Roger Essman, Estes Park, CO: Gary and Kathleen Falk, Estes Park, CO David and Ruth Ann Newby, Lubbock, TX Mark and Joan Strobel, Saint Paul, MN In Memory of Ray Kelberer Bob and Joan Fenster, Denver, CO The Orris Family, Lone Tree, CO Wilbur & Geraldine Stutheit, Pam & Douglas Schnetzler, Joyce and Mark Fleming, Cedar Rapids, IA Lynn Patterson, Sanibel, FL Fort Collins, CO Vero Beach, FL: Mary & Maurice Foresman, Centennial, CO Raymond & Emmy Peck, Dearborn Hts, MI David and Heidi Sutton, St Petersburg, FL In Memory of Ruth Rood O. Lehn and Johannah Franke, Boulder, CO Robert Peterson, Denver, CO Barbara and Ralph Swanson, Phillips, WI Foster and Margaret Freeman, Aurora, CO Joseph A. and Susan E. Pichler Fund of the Suzanne Swanson, Denver, CO Robert and Charline Freitag, Lawrence, KS Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Ned and Nancy Sworts, Arvada, CO MILLION MILE CHALLENGE: W. David & Jane Gemmill, Perrysburg, OH Cincinnati, OH Mary Ann Tavery, Denver, CO NEXT GENERATION FUND John and Carolann Gerhard, Loveland, CO Andrea Pitman, Denver, CO Pat and John Taylor, Silverthorne, CO Janice and Wayne Gibb, Berthoud, CO Lyle and Marlys Polson, Estes Park, CO Marjorie Temple, Denver, CO Gary and Donna Gisle, Boulder, CO Joel and Linda Prehn, Lakewood, CO Eleanor Tjossem, Marshalltown, IA Nancy and Connor Morris, Leawood, KS Elizabeth Grant, Denver, CO Ronald and Rebecca Reeve, Palatine, IL Mr. and Mrs. John Todd, Greeley, CO (For the American Conservation Corps) Rob Gray, Estes Park, CO Bob and Donna Ricklefs, Olathe, KS Dale and Doris Tracy, Scottsbluff, NE Larry and Jeri Frederick, Estes Park, CO Ed & Joanadene Griffin, Overland Park, KS Anne Powell Riley, Columbus, OH Ted and Joyce Treffinger, Denver, CO (For Environmental Education) Helen V. Griffith, Wilmington, DE Larry and Nancy Robinson, Plano, TX Ann H. Turney, Arlington, TX Gary and Marianne Abbott, Marana, AZ Julie Guzzetta, Arvada, CO Gene and Olivia Rose, Centennial, CO Arthur Turpin and Shirley Neely-Turpin, Richard & Suzanne Ahlstrand, Wichita, KS H Bar G Ranch, Estes Park, CO Josef Ruhl, Arvada, CO Glen Haven, CO Sarah and Richard Amos, St. Anthony, MN Jim and Atsuko Hagihara, Fort Collins, CO William and Mary Russell, Tulsa, OK Carole K. Tuttle, Fort Collins, CO Swami Anantananda, Hurleyville, NY Steve and Nancy Haile, St. Peters, MO Virginia Ryan, Pinckney, MI Doug Van Auken, Prairie Village, KS Sally and Lynn Anduss, Fort Collins, CO Becky Haldane, Leadville, CO Allen & Mary Anne Sanborn, Santa Fe, NM Barbara Van Doren, Estes Park, CO Lawrence & Marla Appenfeller, Susan K. Harris, Estes Park, CO: Richard and Karen Sandberg, Omaha, NE Marilyn and John Vergoth, Estes Park, CO Rose Hill, KS In Honor of the Trail Trekker leaders Donna Scheeter, Monument, CO Jane and Ray Verm, Houston, TX David Armstrong, Loveland, CO Jo Ann Hasselmann, Monroe, IA Charles and Gwendolyn Schone, Jan and Siv Verschuur, Estes Park, CO James and Nancy Arndt, Loveland, CO Martha J. Herrick, Topeka, KS Brunswick, ME Robert Voiland, Westminster, CO Virginia Arter, Longmont, CO Lee & Elizabeth Hickerson, Plymouth, MN John & Helen Schreiber, Stephen Vursell, Champaign, IL Carola A. and James Aubuchon, Holt, MI Thomas & Lani Hickman, Fort Collins, CO Colorado Springs, CO Colleen L. Wade, Greeley, CO Sally and David Austin, Akron, PA Beth Higuera, Greenwood Village, CO Dave and Cheryl Schutz, Estes Park, CO Joyce Waibel, Centerville, MN Vaughn Baker, Estes Park, CO Carol L. Horner, Des Moines, IA Marcus and Joan Sessel, Clayton, MO Karen M. Waller, Saint Joseph, MO: Richard Barr, Campbell, OH Charles and Joan Hoyt, Clare, IL James and Teresa Shaner, Lakewood, CO In Honor of Rocky Mountain National Jan and Porter Barrows, Castle Rock, CO Stanley & Kristi Humphries, Timothy Shank, Roanoke, VA Park’s Search and Rescue Team Emily L. Barry, Tulsa, OK Albuquerque, NM Sherwin and Marjory Small, Robert and Lynn Waltman, Greeley, CO William and Esther Bastian, Stan & Margaret Huntting, Allenspark, CO Westlake Village, CA Roger Walton and Helen Anderson, Mount Prospect, IL Dr. James and Gerry Irvine, Estes Park, CO James W. and Carolyn Smith, Edmond, OK Lakewood, CO J.D. & RoseMarie Benisek, San Angelo, TX Donald Irwin, Estes Park, CO John C. Snider, Tuscaloosa, AL Weldon and Eva Wamble, Houston, TX Dawn Bergacker, Colorado Springs, CO Stephanie Jackson, Cogan Station, PA Margaret Spitzer, Greeley, CO Pam Weathers & Stephen Dungan, Jane & Bernard Bergling, Willard & Patricia K. Johnson, Kenneth and Barbara Stallings, Leland, IL Stow, MA Mount Rainier, MD Peoria Heights, IL Lox and Dorothy Stayton, McKinney, TX Jerry and Sally Webster, Elgin, IL Walter & Marlene Borneman, Harry and Victoria Jones, Fort Collins, CO Susan Steele and Michael Conley, Waldo Wedel, Boulder, CO Estes Park, CO Robert & Gail Keesecker, Willoughby, OH Leucadia, CA Patricia & Edward Weirick, Steven and Cindy Brant, Manistee, MI Cathy and Bill Kemper, Magnolia, TX Richard and Helen Stenmark, Parsonsburg, MD Marcia Brenden, Dixon, NM: Virginia and Raymon Kent, Apex, NC Grand Junction, CO Steven and Frances White, Centennial, CO In Honor of Ruth Ann Newby’s Lois Kern, Loveland, CO William and Shirley Sterling, Jr., Bob and Carol Wiebe, McAlester, OK 90th Birthday Linda Kopman-Gravelle and Bob Gravelle, Georgetown, TX Laura J. Williams, Charlotte, NC Carol and Glenn Brickley, Greeley, CO Colorado Springs, CO Sally and John Stevenson, Estes Park, CO Mary Alice and Larry Woody, Kailua, HI Brenda Brink and Curtis Burger, Huxley, IA Gary Kubik, Omaha, NE Roger and Carol Struve, Estes Park, CO Jane and Charles Wright, Estes Park, CO Jana Lynn Britton, Fayetteville, AR D. Dean Kumpuris, M.D., Little Rock, AR Mark and Sandra Stuaan, Fishers, IN The Young Family, Prairie Grove, AR Heidi Buchholtz, Estes Park, CO Raymond Leidig, Boulder, CO Maurita Stueck, Kirkwood, MO Jeanette Zajac, Fort Collins, CO Marda Buchholz, Boulder, CO Nancy & Edward Leonard, Fullerton, CA Vanessa Tatsch, Broomfield, CO Merryl Zegar, New York, NY Douglas & Patricia Campbell, Greeley, CO Willard & Nancy Lewis, James and Janice Thompson, Richard Nichols, Redwood City, CA: Ryan Campbell, Carbondale, IL Trabuco Canyon, CA Estes Park, CO In Memory of Ranger Rick Nichols Sue Campbell and John Calderazzo, Raymond and Dorothy Libner, Geneva, IL Marsena Thompson, Bernalillo, NM John and Marianne Caporale, Bellvue, CO David and Barbara Lindsey, Arvada, CO Gregory & Stefanie Thurman, West Chester, PA: Art Campfield, Fort Collins, CO Louise and Ray Lindsey, Boulder, CO Columbus, OH In Memory of Bruce Figgatt Marjorie A. Carr, Gladstone, MO James D. and Margaret G. Little, Phoebe and Jack Timberlake, Flat Rock, NC Michael and Karen Everhart, Susan Carrick, Niwot, CO Los Alamos, NM William and Jan Tindall, Carmel, IN West Chester, PA: Dr. A.R. & Melanie Chamberlain, Anne P. Livingston, Longmont, CO Leroy and Patricia Trame, Highland, IL In Memory of Bruce Figgatt Fort Collins, CO Katherine and John Long, Houston, TX Linda Van Dyke, Oak Park, IL Tommy and Janice Hehmeyer, West Kenneth and Jo Anne Cocking, Marilynn and Mike Loustalet, Greeley, CO Peter & Lavona Vanderveen, Chester, PA: Prophetstown, IL Janet and Robert Ludlum, Estes Park, CO: Estes Park, CO In Memory of Bruce Figgatt John and Grace Cogan, Edina, MN In Honor of Thomas & Dorothy Ludlum Debra and Stephen Varga, Jacqueline, Steven and David Parker, Joseph and Janelle Coop, Estes Park, CO Kaz Machowski, Chicopee, MA, Cranberry Township, PA 14 Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly Jean Vevers, Palos Park, IL Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO Julie Minbiole Kathy L. Marlow, West Des Moines, IA G. Hulse and Carol Wagner, Sandra Kaptain, Elgini, IL Myra and Archie Leynes Jane and John Marty, Overland Park, KS Wichita Falls, TX Michael Kedda, Derwood, MD Ariel Biscan Fred and Carol Matthies, Fort Collins, CO Dianne Wainwright, Pittsburgh, PA Gary Keith, Helena, AL, Allison Smith Gary & Mary Lee Mayfield, Martha Bendel Waite, Canon City, CO Gary and Doris Kling, Tucson, AZ Christine and Jerry Lai Kailua Kona, HI Alaka Wali, Evanston, IL J.W. and Barbara Knox, Estes Park, CO Denise Deluca Robert and Louise McGill, Tulsa, OK Ellen Stein Wallace, Castle Rock, CO Mary and Mike Kottke, Fountain Hill, AZ Erica and Douglas Rivera Mary Ann McHale and Jeffrey Corson, David and Bonnie Warburton, Newhall, CA James Kubichek, Jewell, IA Heather and Dave Wagenknecht Loganton, PA Charles and Judith Warren, Culver City, CA Ron and Sylvia Kuhns, Estes Park, CO Jane and Dave Williamson Charla and Ronnie McManus, Hurst, TX: Gary and Dawn Wexell, Sycamore, IL WIlliam & Pat Langsdorf, Janelle Stevenson and David Schroll In Honor of Margaret White, Englewood, CO Lake Waukomis, MO Madeline Framson’s Birthday Carol S. Willard, Centennial, CO Shirley & Donald Legler, Louisville, KY: ALBERTA FALLS-LAKE Mary McNutt, Colby, KS Dale and Kathleen Winder, Fort Collins, CO On Behalf of Susan Legler James and Tricia Medlock, Fort Collins, CO Linda Wisler, Boulder, CO: Wayne and Shirley Linton, Fort Collins, CO HAIYAHA TRAIL PROJECT Douglas & Rosemary Moore, Loveland, CO In Honor of the Phillip Harwood Family, Bill and Marian Lively, Dallas, TX: William & Janice Newman, Estes Park, CO from Linda, Diana, Rosalinda, Judy, In Honor of Debbie Lively Terri Adrian-Hardy and Rob Hardy, Ford and Merry Nielsen, Estes Park, CO Jeanne, Stephanie, and Martha on Her Birthday Carefree, AZ Robert and Earlene O’Keefe, Loveland, CO Richard and Sue Worley, Park City, UT Lee C. Magnuson, Lawson, MO Robert and Virginia Akins, Fort Collins, CO Debra Ore, Fairway, KS Katherine and Mark Young, Boulder, CO Doug & Lynette Mannering, Loveland, CO Joseph and Jane Arnold, Estes Park, CO Jack and Mary Overly, Estes Park, CO Ray and Carolyn Zeisset, Lincoln, NE Annette & Harold Marksberry, Laurie Augspurger, Broomfield, CO Rick and Vicki Papineau, Grand Island, NE C.W. Buchholtz, Estes Park, CO: Cincinnati, OH Jeffrey and Sheryle Baker, Lutz, FL Susan Pensinger, Champaign, IL In Memory of Charles A. (Chuck) Lind Harold and Nancy McCollum, Spring, TX Michael and Beverly Ballard, Glassboro, NJ Ethel Pope, Boulder, CO Ted and Kathy Massey, Sioux City, IA: Mary McKeever, Lyons, CO Julianne Biehl, Dallas, TX Morgan Pride, Austin, TX In Memory of Donald and Brenda Miner, Princeton, IL David and Mary Ann Bliley, Erie, PA Scottie Priesmeyer, Saint Charles, MO Curly and Jeanete Hoeschen Dr. & Mrs. Robert Moore, Little Rock, AR Richard and Judith Bliley, Erie, PA Ken and Jeri Ragan, Lenexa, KS Robert & Mishelle Baun, Fort Collins, CO: James and Jeanne Mytton, Lakewood, CO Ann Nord Blumrich, Round Rock, TX Armeto Reynolds and Sam and Nadine In Memory of Glenn and Gen Channer James & Judith A. Nelson, Bethesda, MD Gerald and Darcy Boock, River Falls, WI Marley, Dothen, AL: Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Ruth and William Nelson, Simsbury, CT Cynthia and Vincent Brady, In Honor of John and Jeri Ramsey In Memory of Lew Holland Kristi Nielson, Estes Park, CO Oklahoma City, OK Joan & Terry Roberson, W. Des Moines, IA Patricia May, Houston, TX: Duayne Nyckel, Glendale Heights, IL Kathleen Cannataro, Castle Rock, CO Beth and David Robinson, Loveland, CO In Memory of Her Husband Jimmy D. May Mike and Marilyn Oxby, River Grove, IL Barbara and Kenneth Card, Englewood, CO Bob Roelofsz, Loveland, CO Susan and William Gentle, Cheyenne, WY: Rosemary Peterson, Lakewood, CO Everett and Millie Carlson, Loveland, CO Paul and Mary Roloff, Lake Zurich, IL In Memory of Ruth Nelson Diane Phillips, Wildwood, IL Verl D. and Carolyn L. Carlson, John Rossie, Ottumwa, IA Kathryn and Jerry Pope, Littleton, CO Johnstown, CO Lisa Rucker, Wheat Ridge, CO Glenn and Cora Randall, Boulder, CO Shannon Carter, Spokane, WA Dorothy Sallee, Forest Park, IL OLSON FAMILY FELLOWSHIP Elizabeth Rex, Loveland, CO David Chambers, Estes Park, CO Mary, Reilly & Ken Sample, Helen & Clayton Ringgenberg, Pamela and Michael Cola, Greeley, CO San Antonio, TX Alan and Carol Ann Olson, Boulder, CO Iowa City, IA Jeannie Demarinis, Jamestown, CO Troy S. Schade, Pardeeville, WI Everett & Sandra Robbins, South Bend, IN John and Dolores Dolan, Mahwah, NJ George and Alice ScheIL Raytown, MO Brian and Ann Root, Manhattan, KS Larry and Linda Emsing, Estes Park, CO Gordon and Mary Shaw, Williamsport, PA NEXT GENERATION FUND Larry and Twila Rosenow, Grinnell, IA Catherine and Pedro Engel, Nancy & Richard Sheppard, Marilyn & Marvin Rutkowski, Tucson, AZ Fort Collins, CO Fort Collins, CO Kind Coffee, Estes Park, CO (Endowment) Carlen Schenk and Barry Brezan, Sandra Ensman, Colorado Springs, CO Elena Slusser, Longmont, CO James A. Nissen, Estes Park, CO New Berlin, WI Larry and Karen Eriksson, Madison, WI Christine and Donald Steger, Placitas, NM (Endowment) JoAnn Schoengold, Madison, WI Robert and Mary Farmer, Athens, TX Philip Straffin, Jr., Longmont, CO Bruce & Margaret Allen, Albuquerque, NM Dana Shonbeck and James Orshaw, Lloyd and Phyllis Fosdick, Estes Park, CO David and Carla Stutts, Houston, TX Gretchen Anderson, San Rafael, CA Somerville, MA: Helga Gaffron, Longmont, CO Jeff Terrill, Lakewood, CO Thomas & LaVerne Anderson, Boulder, CO On Behalf of Scott and Michelle Veronika GaIA Lyons, CO Leonard R. and Betty Todd, Lenexa, KS Christine and Thomas Arnone, Hilton, NY Shonbeck Gordon and Linda Goff, Estes Park, CO Ron and Marilyn Tuttle, Loveland, CO Laura Bailey, Medina, OH Wayne A. Slocum, Tupelo, MS C. William and June Gray, Powell, OH Jan and David Waddington, Golden, CO Sandy and William Baird, Greeley, CO John C. Snider, Tuscaloosa, AL Judith Graziano, Poland, OH Barbara L. Walker, Mobile, AL Eleanor Baker, Indianapolis, IN Elizabeth & Gerald Stonecipher, Carl and Nancy Hane, Fort Collins, CO Joseph and Barb Wasung, Greeley, CO J.D. & RoseMarie Benisek, San Angelo, TX Estes Park, CO Janene and Steven Hawkins, Joan Winstein, Oak Park, IL: John and Anne Blair, Fort Collins, CO Robert and Maryann Strain, Evanston, IL Burnsville, MN In Honor of Bruce Winstein Deanna Boihem, Metairie, LA Christi and Mark Swain, Denver, CO: Joseph and Judith Heck, Racine, WI Lydia Taxis Buckwalter, Creamery, PA: Brad Buckner & Maureen Flanigan, As a gift to wedding guests David and Marjean Heidt, Englewood, CO In Memory of Anabel Ganser Heyen Littleton, CO William and Nancy Sweet, Denver, CO Josephine Hereford, Saint Louis, MO and Roy Harry Heyen Laird and Nancy Campbell, Denver, CO Joann Thomas, Fort Collins, CO Dale Hilyard, Louisburg, KS Douglas Griffith, Kalispell, MT: Chevron Corporation, Princton, NJ Mitchell Uyeno, Littleton, CO Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO In Memory of Donald & Phyllis Griffith Richard and Janet Coe, Estes Park, CO Jack and Hildreth Wold, Denver, CO Sue Horvath, Lansing, MI Diane Glenn, Lakewood, CO: Madelynn Coldiron, Frankfort, KY Julie and Martin Harrington, Denver, CO: Robert and Ellen Hostetler, Monument, CO In Memory of Dorothy Anderson Donald and Janet Cope, Loveland, CO In Memory of Chris O’Brien Kay I. Johnson, Evergreen, CO Mary E. Rosenthal, MexiCO MO: Marjorie Dunmire, Estes Park, CO Sue Bain, San Antonio, TX: Louise H. Johnson, Bloomington, IN: In Memory of Gerry Rosenthal Phyllis A. Easley, Loveland, CO In Memory of Dr. William H. Snyder In Honor of Robert and Janet Ludlum Sondra Perry, Grand Prairie, TX: Lois and Bruce Ellingwood, Atlanta, GA Shirley Bastilla, Highland, IL: Daniel and Susan Kagan, Westfield, NJ In Memory of her husband Jim Perry Estes Park Community Thrift Shop, In Memory of her father Wally Hug Michael Kedda, Derwood, MD Carol Holden, Miami, FL: Estes Park, CO Della Hug, Highland, IL: Betsy Kerner, Fair Lawn, NJ In Memory of Lorraine Gray Sue & Lloyd Fahrenbruch, Fort Collins, CO In Memory of her husband Wally Hug Peter S. and Janet M. Kim, Olympia, WA Carol Coffey, Longmont, CO: Marianne Gaynor, St. Clair Shores, MI: Sondra Perry, Grand Prairie, TX: John and Diane Klarich, White Lake, MI In Memory of Her Grandson, In Honor of Gene Stehman’s birthday In Memory of her husband Jim Perry Linda Knutsen, Falls Church, VA Christopher Chandler Phil and Mary Griffin, Overland Park, KS Kimberly Greene & John Gray, M.L. and Christine Korphage, Wichita, KS Donelda Wheatley, Yukon, OK: Donald & Patricia Groves, Glen Haven, CO Boulder, CO: J.W. and Helen Kral, Holiday Island, AR In Memory of Newt Wheatley Anne Elizabeth Hale, Westminster, CO In Memory of Marge McLellan Frederick Krampetz, Lakewood, CO Karen and Scott Winfield, Maddie & James Henderson, Karen Szews, Greenfield, WI: Dr. Robert Krear, Estes Park, CO Colorado Springs, CO: Royersford, PA In Memory of Her Parents, Kathleen Lange, Saint Louis, MO In Memory of Norma Silber Martha J. Herrick, Topeka, KS Ed & Jean Szews Dave and Annie Larsen, Moab, UT The Strother Family, Lafayette, IN: Dr. and Mrs. Maurice Herring, Dallas, TX Edward Bronfin, Denver, CO: Larry and Teresa Lay, Austin, TX In Memory of Steve Dougan Catherine Hewins, Boulder, CO In Memory of Walt Emery Trudi and Art Leissa, Ft Collins, CO Anonymous Heidi Hoffman, Omaha, NE William H. Lively, Jr., Tyler, TX In Honor of Margaret Clark Steve & Susan Hollinger, All in Memory of Asa Mills Holt: Gene Mammenga and Char Brooker, Prairie Village, KS Elysia and Nathan Root, Chicago, IL Maplewood, MN Rocky Mountain Nature Association Quarterly 15

Peggy and Leo Matti, Estes Park, CO All in Memory of Vanessa Carroll: Lacy, Westminster, CO LAND PROTECTION FUND Riley & Patricia McClelland, Danielle Acierno, Thornton, CO TALX Corporation, Broomfield, CO West Glacier, MT Robert Austin, Fenton, MO Concord Team (Laura Olson, Danila Alan & Bonnie Armentrout, Charles and Shirley Morgan, Platteville, CO Valerie Bennett, Ridgecrest, CA Loquiao, Irene Wang, Sandra Sinift, Alice Albuquerque, NM Lisa Morzel, Boulder, CO Linda Berry, Westminster, CO Phillips, Nancy Moore, Cheryl Garrett, Karen Atkinson, Dallas, TX: Jennifer Mummart, Washington, DC S. P. Dainard, Carmichael, CA Tammy Burgard, Toni Kerr) In Honor of Peggy and Scott Neslund, Lakeland, FL Vickie and William Davis, Gallowy, OH Kenneth Rodini, West Chester, PA Doug Dustin and Deb Puckett James and Mary O’Hara, Denver, CO Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fountain, Everett, WA Greg Barnes, Atlanta, GA Rick and Vicki Papineau, Grand Island, NE Elizabeth Heywood, Westminster, CO All in Memory of Walter Emery: Debra Bidwell, Fort Collins, CO Paula and Timothy Peele, Arvada, CO Susan Hohemann, Denver, CO Ireland, Stapleton, Pryor, & Pascoe, PC, James and Paula Breese, Denver, CO Jason and Jennifer Renk, North Liberty, IA Sandra and Bob Husvar, Plain City, OH Denver, CO Jean and Ed Carlson, Estes Park, CO John Rossie, Ottumwa, IA Mary Lloyd-Marucco and Anthony William and Martha Lamm, Denver, CO Gary Casalo, Ozark, MO Betty Sanderson, Largo, FL Marucco, Powell, OH James and Loretta Smith, Golden, CO Janet Chu, Boulder, CO Carlen Schenk and Barry Brezan, James and Yvonne Merati, Henderson, NV Judith Wagner, Centennial, CO Margaret M. Clark, Estes Park, CO New Berlin, WI Trisha Brown Milton, Las Vegas, NV Roger Leslie Wolman, Littleton, CO Walt and Sandra Cox, Blue Grass, IA Liz Schoeberlein, Boulder, CO Steven Mintz, Camarillo, CA Debra Jean Deverell, Vail, CO James Davis, Somers Point, NJ Garland and Marlys Seibert, Ankeny, IA Rose M. Mizak, Valencia, CA Victoria Emery, Houston, TX Larry Enkoji, Saint Louis, MO Robert and Mary Seifert, Estes Park, CO Jennifer Pacheco, Westminster, CO Frank and Monty Kugeler, Denver, CO Randolph & Kathryn Fischer, Tim Shropshire and Sherry McClochlin, Delon Radebaugh, Thornton, CO Dr. Jerome Sutherland, Denver, CO Fort Collins, CO Boulder, CO M Robertson & Monte Dunbar, Ruth Gibson, Osterville, MA Robert and Maureen Fox, Elroy, WI Peter and Mary Shultz, Westminster, CO Arvada, CO Allen J. and Mary Lou Hinkle, Samuel and Kathleen Franco, Nutley, NJ Kenneth Smith, Estes Park, CO Cynthia and George Wilson, Portland, OR Lebanon, NH Kenneth Gamauf, Boulder, CO Lynn and Michael Stover, Wichita, KS Joan Blackwell, Katie Tate and Donna C.W. Buchholtz, Estes Park, CO Bud and Erin Garrison, Clarksville, MO Catherine and Billy Thomas, Austin, TX Fred & Catherine Gaupp, James and Nancy Thomas, Mound City, MO Diamondhead, MS Anne Turner, Boulder, CO Adam Goldsmith, Lakewood, CO Betty Wheeler, Sarasota, FL Tim and Dena Wojtach, Arvada, CO (Ask Nancy: Forest Recovery, continued) Nancy Gray, Lyons, CO disturbance. Normally, an event such as a large fire would be Amy Haagen and James Stout, Gary and Elizabeth Bernhard, Austin, TX: Pinckney, MI In Memory of Marcia M. Persons the factor that restarts this process. The current mountain George and Dorothy Heyliger, Golden, CO Susan and Ronald Harris, Estes Park, CO: pine beetle outbreak is likely a result of a combination of Barry and Patricia Hiatt, Littleton, CO In Memory of Phyllis and Bob Perney events including: fire suppression, several years of drought, Dr. Donald Hillger, Windsor, CO and large contiguous areas of even-aged, mature lodgepole Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO LEGACY ENDOWMENT FUND Althea and Jim Jackson, Fern Park, FL forests. While we naturally tend to view things through the Sylvia and Derek Jaggers, Estes Park, CO time frame of human years, this occurrence has changed David Jobusch, Windsor, CO Lewis E. Boyle, Fredericksburg, VA many areas of the region such that they will not recover to Ann C. Johnson, Lakewood, CO Stasia and Robert Davison, Englewood, CO Paul and Rosemary Eide, Ft Collins, CO their most recent state during any of our lifetimes. However, Maxine E. Johnson, Denver, CO as we are already observing, many areas are experiencing Linda Kabat, Firestone, CO Kenneth Gamauf, Boulder, CO Frances Keating, Kansas City, MO Dr. Anne Hallcom, Miami, FL new seedling regeneration and the cycle begins again. Michael Kedda, Derwood, MD Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO Additionally, it has been documented that tree fall rates Arthur and Carol KeIL Littleton, CO Robert Hursch, Littleton, CO begin to increase approximately 3 years after death and Michael Kedda, Derwood, MD Thomas & Gretchen Kirk, Germantown, TN continue until the majority have fallen by around 10-11 years Clement & Elizabeth Klaphake, Wayne and Jane Larsen, Loveland, CO Bellevue, NE Robert Lundy, Louisville, CO after death.—Chris Dahl, Forester Gilbert and Mary Knapp, Spencer, NY Jeff and Nancy Manuel, Windsor, CO Louise and John Koss, Fort Collins, CO McDonald Transit Associates, Fort Worth, TX Mary and Mike Kottke, Fountain Hill, AZ Shelby Lee Smith, Shreveport, LA Robert & Marilyn Krisinger, Laura Wanda, Dyer, IN Pleasant Hill, IA James Kubichek, Jewell, IA SPECIAL PROJECTS & Mary Lou & Gothard Lane, SUPPORT Grand Lake, CO Carol and Lester Lehman, Lakewood, CO Carol T. Linnig, Estes Park, CO William Carle, Colorado Springs, CO Charles and Arelyn Mahan, Baltimore, MD Jennifer Mummart, Washington, DC Mike and Jan Markham, Aurora, IL Renate Edmundson, Estes Park, CO Friends of Longmont Sr Center, Longmont, CO Robert and Katherine Gould, PARK PUZZLE ANSWERS Cambridge, WI Jennifer Sacco, Brookline, MA Tom and Susan Nadeau, Bothell, WA: In Memory of Carol Nicolaidis John and Margaret Christiano, Jupiter, FL: In Honor of Marilyn Hubbard Rhonda and Richard Miklic, Conifer, CO: In Memory of Douglas Duffy and Andrew Miklic Carol Kraft, Longmont, CO: In Memory of Robert Draper Kraft

Photo: Dean Martinson For comments or questions contact: Curt Buchholtz, Executive Director Non-Profit Nancy Wilson, Quarterly Editor Organization Rocky Mountain Nature Association US Postage PO Box 3100 PAID Estes Park, Colorado 80517 Permit #184 (970) 586-0108 Estes Park, CO www.rmna.org

This gives new meaning to being “all ears,” doesn’t it? Photo: RMNA Member Jack Glover

Nature Association Notes...

A welcome snow storm graced the park in time for the holidays, the clouds observed some very socking in the whole park and obscuring the surrounding peaks. There’s a large round paw prints healthy 42 inches of snow at Bear Lake at this moment, with some pretty along Fish Creek, respectable sledding happening at Hidden Valley.....In mid-September, while which might very well hiking up to Pagoda Mountain from Glacier Gorge, park visitor Robert have been Amy’s Stephenson encountered a bull elk at about 7 AM off the trail between Mills resident mountain and Black lakes. The elk eyed Bob as they passed about 20 feet from each lion.....Heidi also other, but the elk didn’t seem too concerned with Bob’s presence. Later in the reported a command day while passing back through the same general area, Bob saw what he performance of a 7- assumed to be the same elk. As he continued down the trail the elk charged point bull elk that was him. Bob ducked behind a small tree (~10” diameter), but felt fairly safe frolicking in the snow knowing that the elk wouldn’t be able to negotiate around the tree with his near the park’s sizable rack of antlers. After a moment, the elk retreated and crossed the trail entrance. He almost Wildlife of the humanoid variety enjoying wintertime fun towards a cow that was hanging on the sidelines. Believing himself to be safe seemed to be dancing at Sprague Lake. Photo by Norma Andersen once he was no longer between the two, he continued down the trail only to be for her as he jumped charged again. This time Bob took shelter behind a much larger tree where the around in front of her car - rather like he was enjoying being out playing in the elk had him pinned for several minutes. Bob tried peeking around the tree a snow.....On her way home from work one evening in December, RMNP Facility couple of times, but each time he did, the elk charged him – from just a couple Managment Systems Specialist Debbie Mason spotted a young bull moose going up a of feet away. When the elk eventually turned away, Bob dropped down the hill road on the west side of the park. When he realized that she was approaching, the about 50 feet and followed the stream until he was safely past the two elk. moose hopped the large buck-n-rail fence along the snowmobile access trail, crossed Bob noticed that the elk watched him closely, but the elk definitely seemed the trail, then hopped the rope strung along the other side of the trail and continued on. more comfortable with the greater distance (as was Bob!).....RMNA Member The fence and rope he hopped over was easily 5 or 6 feet high.....RMNA Board Amy Miller was walking along Fish Creek near the golf course in Estes Park Member Dick Coe was at his kitchen window when he noticed that there was a curious early one morning this fall when she happened to see a mountain lion absence of birds at his bird feeder. Always alert to animal bounding down the green, probably not chasing a golf ball! It let out quite a signs, he looked around and spotted a large bird perched on ferocious scream as it was running down the hill, stopping at the creek and not a nearby ponderosa branch. It was a juvenile Sharp-shinned crossing over.....Earlier this summer Amy also saw a black bear with two cubs hawk, a raptor which is known to feed on small birds. No along Fish Creek as well....RMNA Administrative Assistant Heidi Buchholtz wonder the bird activity was stifled!.....RMNP Volunteer Forrest McVicar notes the infrequent sightings of what Corrections: previously had been thought to be some strange albino The unusual lizard sighting Nature Note in the turkey along Bear Lake Road. For the record, let it be Autumn issue of the RMNA newsletter had more known that this is actually a Merriam’s turkey, though an than one error: Erin Muths, (not Muth), is actually atypical color, or color phase, with orange and white from the USGS, not CSU. But, most importantly, she wanted to correct that she feathers. Park Biologist Gary C. Miller notes that most of did not identify the lizard as a possible earless lizard. Tina Jackson, from the the Merriam’s have the normal bronze/black/purple color, Colorado Division of Wildlife, actually identified it as an eastern fence lizard so this variation is either a genetic abnormality, or there (according to Hammerson, 1999, a Prairie and Plateau Lizard). Mea culpa - NLW could, in fact, be some domestic white turkey mixed into The saprotrophic fungus image in the Autumn issue the gene pool. It is believed that there are two of these of the newsletter actually showed Clavaria purpurea variant colored turkeys in the park...... It’s a brand New Year, (Purple Fairy Club Mushroom). It was incorrectly full of big plans and resolutions, no doubt. Remember to Juvenile Sharp-shinned identified as Xylaria polymorpha (Dead Man’s plan a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, to refresh your hawk Photo by RMNA Fingers.(Our thanks to Linnea Gillman of the spirit and become a part of something big and beautiful – Member Dick Coe Colorado Mycological Society for her correction.) Mea maxima culpa - NLW even if only for a brief moment in time.....