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Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Visit
Sunday, September 26, 2010
7:30 am – 3:00 pm
Field Trip
 Visit
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area where cultural and natural history meet
in one of the state’s largest land conservation projects. This
remarkable natural area encompasses 28 square miles conserving one of
the last nearly pristine shortgrass prairies in the country and was just
opened to the public in June of 2009. It is home to many rare and
threatened plant and animal species. People have also occupied this land
continuously for over 10,000 years and the Soapstone Prairie contains
the Lindenmeier Archeological site, a National Historic Landmark,
recognized worldwide as one of the most extensive occupations of the
prehistoric Folsom culture.
This trip will include the following 4 separate morning events and a
combined afternoon event:
Morning Programs:
9:00 am – noon: THE BOTANY OF SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE
Join the City of Fort Collins Botanist and
restoration specialist, Crystal Strouse, and take a tour focusing on
the botany of Soapstone Prairie. This area is one of the last
remaining large expanses of short grass prairie and is home to some
of the rarest plants in Colorado. Walking distance: 1- 2 miles.
(Limit 10 people)
9:00 am – noon: HIKE SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE
Want some fresh air and exercise while learning
about Soapstone Prairie? Spend the morning exploring the trails with
a trained Fort Collins Master Naturalist guide. Walking distance:
3-5 miles. (Limit 10 people)
9:00 am – noon: WILDLIFE OF SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE
Join Aran Meyer, the City of Fort Collins Wildlife
Specialist, as you explore the habitats at Soapstone Prairie that
support over 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds.
Bring your binoculars. Walking distance: 2-3 miles. (Limit 15
people)
9:00 am – noon: THE PRAIRIE: IT’S NOT JUST GRASS
Explore the trails at Soapstone Prairie while
learning about one of the few Colorado prairie ecosystems that is
still relatively intact. Walking distance: 1-3 miles. (Limit 15
people)
Afternoon Program:
1pm - 2 pm: ARCHAEOLOGY OF SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE
Explore the Archaeology of Soapstone
Prairie, home to a the Lindenmeier Site, which is considered to be
one of the most significant early-man sites in North America and one
of only 3 pre-historic sites in Colorado listed as a National
Historic Landmark. (Limit: 50 people)
For more information visit:
http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone
The trip will include lunch and transportation to and
from Fort Collins. There is no water source. You must bring your own
drinking water. It can be very windy and is often at least 10 degrees
cooler than Fort Collins. Bring a jacket, even if the forecast is for
warm weather. Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots as rattlesnakes and
cacti are very common.
Cost: $30.
Trip Limited to 50 People
Trip will depart from the Marriott at 7:30 am and have everyone back by
early afternoon.
Contact:
Pam Smith
Soapstone Prairie Educator
City of Fort Collins
Cell: (970) 219-1106 |
