Valeriana arizonica
Photo courtesy of the Dale A. Zimmerman Herbarium, WNMUOn Sunday, May 21, 2017, the Gila Native Plant Society continues its summer program of field exploration with a field trip led by Kevin Keith to Skates Canyon in the Pinos Altos Range. The hike follows Forest Service Road 88 through the canyon at elevation 6300 feet. A perennial flow supports willows, alders and large-diameter Rocky Mountain junipers. Cliffs on the south side provide conditions for shade-tolerant species such as Draba, Corydalis, Valeriana and ferns.

All those interested in participating should meet a little before 8 a.m. in the south parking lot of the Fine Arts Center Theatre on the WNMU campus for carpooling. One-way travel time is about one hour. For further information contact Kevin Keith at 575-535-4064.

The Gila Native Plant Society conducts field trips on the third Sunday of each month from April through September. Each field trip will be to a different location, in order to explore the diversity of our native plants. All field trips are free and open to the public.

Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promoting education, research and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest, encouraging the preservation of rare and endangered plant species and supporting the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. For information on programs, publications and membership, please visit www.gilanps.org.