Flora of the Mountains

Summer 2026, July 6th - July 18th

Closeup of a small alpine plant with yellow flowers

Ranunculus adoneus marked for observation

This field course will serve as taxonomic survey of the vascular plants of Colorado, with emphasis on the angiosperms distributed from the plains to the high alpine. The primary components of this course include lectures, discussions, and field excursions. Field excursions will serve to provide students with the opportunity practice plant identification in the field and vegetation monitoring techniques. 

This class is recommended for students interested in plants, the outdoors, place-based knowledge, taxonomy. Additionally, this class will give you highly desired skills for seasonal field technician positions. Knowing plants is critical for natural scientists!

Instructor: Sam Ahler, PhD Candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder, EBIO and INSTAAR
Location:  Mountain Research Station and surrounding areas
Dates & Times:  July 6th - July 18th, Monday - Saturday
Credit:  3 credit hours in biology (EBIO 4100)
Tuition: $2500 USD (Includes room in a 2-person rustic cabin and all meals at the Mountain Research Station on days when class is in session)
Prerequisite: One year course work in general biology or environmental science

For more information:

Questions about staying at the Mountain Research Station during your course?

Registration begins March 10th.

How to register for this course
 

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A group of students gather around an alpine tundra wetland, with mountains and blue skies behind them
A red-breasted nuthatch sits on a branch with an insect in its beak.
Closeup of a small alpine plant with yellow flowers
An American pika forages avens on Niwot Ridge. Photo by Craig Stevenson.
A scientist sits at the edge of a high alpine lake while collecting water samples
Windy winter weather scene in the subalpine of Colorado. Drifting snowbanks lie at the foot of krumholtz crippled trees with snowy mountains in the background (Photo: Bill Bowman)