NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

at the National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory, National 

Wind Technology Center

July 2010 – May 2011

Walsh Environmental Scientists and 

Engineers, LLC

Boulder, Colorado

NREL Technical Monitor: Tom Ryon

Subcontract Report

NREL/SR-1900-70462

July 2018
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

at the National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory, National 

Wind Technology Center

July 2010 – May 2011

Walsh Environmental Scientists and 

Engineers, LLC

Boulder, Colorado

NREL Technical Monitor: Tom Ryon

Prepared under Subcontract No. LGF-0-40734-01

Suggested Citation 

Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC. (2018). Vegetation 

and Wildlife Surveys at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 

National Wind Technology Center: July 2010 – May 2011. Golden, CO: 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/SR-1900-70462.

https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy18osti/70462.pdf.

Subcontract Report

NREL/SR-1900-70462

July 2018
This publication was reproduced from the best available copy

submitted by the subcontractor and received no editorial review at NREL.

NOTICE

This work was authored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, operated by Alliance for Sustainable 

Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. Funding 

provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The views 

expressed in the article do not necessarily represent the views of the DOE or the U.S. Government. This report is 

available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports produced after 1991 

and a growing number of pre-1991 documents are available free 

via www.OSTI.gov.

Cover Photos by Dennis Schroeder: (left to right) NREL 26173, NREL 18302, NREL 19758, NREL 29642, NREL 19795.

NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content.
 

 

 

 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys at the 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 

National Wind Technology Center 

Jefferson County, Colorado 

July 11, 2011 

Purchase Order Number 19601000
 

Technical Monitor: Thomas Ryon 

Prepared for
 

Prepared by 
 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 1
 

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 3
 

METHODS ........................................................................................................................ 3
 

Background Research ............................................................................................................... 3
 

Field Work ................................................................................................................................ 3
 

Vegetation Mapping .................................................................................................................5
 

Noxious Weeds ........................................................................................................................5
 

General Wildlife Surveys .........................................................................................................5
 

Targeted Wildlife Species ........................................................................................................5
 

Nocturnal Owl and Amphibian Surveys ...................................................................................6
 

Carnivore Camera Surveys ......................................................................................................6
 

Small Mammal Surveys ............................................................................................................7
 

RESULTS .......................................................................................................................... 7
 

Background Research ............................................................................................................... 7
 

Vegetation Mapping.................................................................................................................. 9
 

Conservation Management Areas ............................................................................................9
 

Plant Communities ...................................................................................................................9
 

Xeric Mixed Grassland.............................................................................................................9
 

Mesic Mixed Grassland..........................................................................................................10
 

Ponderosa Pine Woodland .....................................................................................................10
 

Upland Shrubland ..................................................................................................................10
 

Palustrine Emergent Wetland ................................................................................................10
 

Riparian Fringe Wetland........................................................................................................11
 

Groundwater Seep Wetland....................................................................................................11
 

Seasonal Pond ........................................................................................................................11
 

Disturbed ................................................................................................................................ 12
 

Ornamental Trees/Shrubs.......................................................................................................12
 

Noxious Weeds ....................................................................................................................... 12
 

General Wildlife Surveys........................................................................................................ 14
 

Targeted Wildlife .................................................................................................................... 17
 

Nocturnal Wildlife Surveys ....................................................................................................17
 

Carnivore Camera Surveys.....................................................................................................17
 

Small Mammal Surveys .........................................................................................................17
 

Avian Survey Results from Tetra Tech................................................................................... 19
 

DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................. 19
 

Background Research ............................................................................................................. 19
 

Vegetation Mapping................................................................................................................ 19
 

Conservation Management Areas ..........................................................................................19
 

i 
 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Plant Communities .................................................................................................................19
 

Xeric Mixed Grassland...........................................................................................................20
 

Mesic Mixed Grassland..........................................................................................................20
 

Ponderosa Pine Woodland .....................................................................................................20
 

Upland Shrubland ..................................................................................................................20
 

Palustrine Emergent Wetland ................................................................................................20
 

Riparian Fringe Wetland........................................................................................................21
 

Groundwater Seep Wetland....................................................................................................21
 

Seasonal Pond ........................................................................................................................21
 

Disturbed ................................................................................................................................ 21
 

Noxious Weeds ....................................................................................................................... 21
 

General Wildlife Surveys........................................................................................................ 22
 

Targeted Wildlife Species ....................................................................................................... 22
 

Nocturnal Wildlife Surveys ....................................................................................................22
 

Carnivore Camera Surveys.....................................................................................................23
 

Small Mammal Surveys .........................................................................................................23
 

RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................ 24
 

REFERENCES................................................................................................................ 25
 

TABLES 

Table 1. Summary of CNHP Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural Communities Known 

From or Likely to Occur Within a Two-mile Radius of NREL’s National Wind 

Technology Center........................................................................................................... 7
 

Table 2. Noxious Weed Species Identified at the National Wind Technology Center, Colorado 

August, 2010 .................................................................................................................. 12
 

Table 3. General Wildlife Observations at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory National
 

Wind Technology Center, 2010 – 2011 ......................................................................... 14
 

Table 4. Small Mammal Captures at the National Wind Technology Center, 2010 and 2011. .... 18
 

FIGURES 

Figure 1. Vegetation Mapping at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind 

Technology Center, 2010 and 2011..........................................................................4
 

Figure 2. Weed Mapping at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind 

Technology Center, 2010 and 2011........................................................................13 

Figure 3. Amphibian Call, Owl, Carnivore Camera, and Small Mammal Trapping Points and 

Transects at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, 

2010 and 2011.................................................................................................16 

ii 
 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

APPENDICES
 

Appendix A Colorado Natural Heritage Program Data Query Response 

Appendix B Plant Community Species List Tables 

Appendix C Plant Community and Other Photos 

Appendix D Listing of Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Terrestrial Arthropods Observed 

During All Surveys Combined 

Appendix E	 Bat Acoustical Surveys at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National 

Wind Technology Center, Jefferson County, Colorado, May 6, 2011 

iii 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

LIST OF ACRONYMS 

ABPP Avian and Bat Protection Plan 

CDOW Colorado Division of Wildlife 

CNHP Colorado Natural Heritage Program 

DOE U.S. Department of Energy 

EA Environmental Assessment 

EERE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

EO Executive Order 

GIS Geographic Information Systems 

GPS Global Positioning System 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

NWTC National Wind Technology Center 

RFETS Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site 

RMRS Rocky Mountain Remediation Services 

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Walsh Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC 

iv 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The primary objective of this year-long study was to update the National Wind Technology 

Center (NWTC) vegetation and wildlife baseline conditions, excluding avian species. These 

baseline conditions will be used to support future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

analyses. NWTC is located in northern Jefferson County and is a laboratory center of the National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy 

(DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and operated by the Alliance for 

Sustainable Energy, LLC. 

NREL has been conducting vegetation and wildlife surveys at NWTC since 1996. Prior to the 

current study, Plantae (2000) completed a site characterization of vegetation communities and 

noxious weeds, Monahan (1996) conducted a raptor study, and Schmidt et al. (2003) conducted a 

bird and bat use and fatality study. 

Concurrent with this study, Tetra Tech, Inc. is completing avian and mortality surveys. For this 

reason, the present report contains no avian observations. Walsh Environmental Scientists and 

Engineers, LLC (Walsh) conducted a separate bat study and report (Appendix E). 

Background research methods included a review of prior studies conducted at NWTC and a 

review of species tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP), specific to the 

NWTC area. Field methods included walking transects for mapping of vegetation communities 

and noxious weeds and observations for general wildlife occurrences throughout the site 

(mammals, herpetofauna, and invertebrates) during four seasons. Several targeted surveys for 

wildlife were conducted including: nocturnal playback surveys for owls, amphibian call surveys, 

motion-detection cameras for mammalian carnivores, and small mammal live trapping. 

The CNHP query revealed a number of imperiled species; however, none of these were observed 

during the yearlong surveys. The majority of vegetation at NWTC belongs to the mixed-grass 

prairie association of the grassland formation. Within that association, the largest and most 

widespread community type is the xeric mixed grassland, with a small area of mesic mixed 

grassland. Other mapped vegetation communities at NWTC include ponderosa pine woodland, 

upland shrubland, palustrine emergent wetland, riparian fringe wetland, groundwater seep 

wetland, seasonal pond, disturbed, and ornamental trees/shrubs. Noxious weeds were identified 

and mapped. 

General wildlife surveys found species characteristic of the habitats onsite. Mammal observations 

included mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), American elk (Cervus elaphus), and desert cottontail 

(Sylvilagus audubonii). Coyote sign (scat) was observed. Herpetofauna observations included two 

amphibian species: boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) and Woodhouse’s toad (Bufo 

woodhousii). Invertebrates observed were commonly occurring species of several genera. 

Playback surveys for owl species detected only great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). During 

amphibian call surveys, a boreal chorus frog was detected; additional individuals were detected 

beyond the boundaries of NWTC. No carnivores were recorded using the motion-detecting 

monitors. Small mammal trapping resulted in a high species richness with six species captured 

onsite over two survey periods. The capture rate was also high, at 15 percent. 

Significant findings of this study include: 

•	 Since the site was last mapped (DOE 1998, Plantae 2000), some observed trends in 

vegetation patterns include a general increase in invasive and noxious weed species 

1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

diversity and coverage throughout the various plant communities as well as a shift in 

native species composition to include more upland species and fewer species with a 

wetland indicator status of facultative or wetter. Some possible factors that may be 

contributing to these apparent trends could include general drying of soils as well as 

changes in land use since 2000. 

•	 The NWTC site contains 12 plant species found on the State of Colorado Noxious Weed 

List. 

•	 No detections of regionally important Special Status Species (mammals or invertebrates) 

as defined by Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) and CNHP. 

•	 Wildlife surveys detected common genera and species expected for the habitats and 

region of NWTC. In addition, four species were added to the list of species previously 

documented onsite: boreal chorus frog, Woodhouse’s toad, masked shrew, western 

harvest mouse, meadow vole, and American elk. 

•	 High species richness for small mammals indicates that the site has high biodiversity 

value, especially for small mammals and their predators. 

2 
 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

INTRODUCTION 

This year-long wildlife and vegetation study was conducted to update the National Wind 

Technology Center (NWTC) vegetation and wildlife baseline conditions. These updated baseline 

conditions will be used to support future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses. 

NWTC is a laboratory center of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a national 

laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 

Energy, and operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. 

NWTC is located on approximately 305 acres in Jefferson County, Colorado, south of State 

Highway 128 and east of State Highway 93, between the cities of Boulder and Golden. The legal 

description of the property area is: T2S, R70W, portions of Sections 3 and 4 (Figure 1). 

NREL has been conducting vegetation and wildlife surveys at NWTC since 1996. Prior to the 

current study, Plantae (2000) completed a site characterization of vegetation communities and 

noxious weeds, Monahan (1996) conducted a raptor study, and Schmidt et al. (2003) conducted a 

bird and bat use and fatality study. More recently, Walsh conducted a bat study in 2010 (see 

Appendices). 

The current effort involved conducting four seasons of vegetation and wildlife surveys beginning 

in July 2010 and ending in May 2011. This report presents the results of these surveys. 

Concurrent avian monitoring studies by Tetra Tech, Inc. were conducted beginning January 2010 

to September 2011. The results of these surveys are presented in a separate report. 

METHODS 

Background Research 

Walsh compiled past wildlife and vegetation surveys conducted on the NWTC site (Plantae 

Consulting Services, 2000; Schmidt et al., 2003; Rocky Mountain Remediation Services, 1998; 

and Monahan, 1996). In order to support the most efficient comparison of current data with the 

previous studies, methods from these previous surveys were integrated into the current effort. 

The Site-Wide Environmental Assessment (EA) of National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s 

National Wind Technology Center (DOE 2002) was reviewed as part of the background research 

of wildlife occurrences on NWTC. 

A query was submitted to the CNHP of Colorado State University for known locations of rare 

and/or imperiled plant and animal species and terrestrial arthropods specific to genera of concern 

within and up to a two-mile radius of the NWTC. For this project, Special Status Species are 

defined as those species listed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW 2010) and the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS 2010) as Threatened, Endangered, Candidate, Proposed, or 

Species of Special Concern. 

Field Work 

For this project the seasons are as follows: summer (May, June and July), fall (August, 

September, and November), winter (December, January, and February), and spring (March, April 

and May). This was to provide continuity with other NREL studies and other similar surveys 

conducted at NREL’s South Table Mountain site in Golden, Colorado. 

3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

2 22

2 2

2

2

U:\Projects\900758.0001.020_nrel_nwtc\gis\map_mxd\Figure 1 Vegetation Mapping at NREL_NWT_2010 and 2011.mxd 

ROW 4 

ROW 3 

ROW 1 

ROW 2 

South Road 

North Road 

3 

COALTON DR CR 67 66TH ST

COAL CREEK DR 

17J 

PRADO DR 

UV93 

UV128 

Eldorado Springs 

$ 1:5,400
 

500 250 0
 

Feet 

1 in = 450 feet 

Figure 1. Vegetation Mapping at the National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, 

2010 and 2011 

NWTC Boundary 

Ephemeral Drainage 

Prairie Dog Relocation Area 

Building/Road/Structure 

Conservation Management Areas 

Plant Communities 

Palustrine Emergent Wetland 

Disturbed 

Groundwater Seep Wetland 

Mesic Mixed Grassland 

Ornamental Trees and Shrubs 

2 222222

2 2

2

22 Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

Riparian Fringe Wetland 

Seasonal Pond 

Upland Shrubland 

Xeric Mixed Grassland 

500 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Vegetation Mapping 

Vegetation mapping and characterization were performed following methods described in Plantae 

(2000). Major plant communities were the basis for both efforts. For the current effort, the 

previously characterized location and area of all major plant communities on the site were 

checked against current rectified aerial photography and ground-truthed in the field on August 4 

and 5, October 13, 19, and 21, 2010; and May 6 and 9, 2011. 

During the ground-truthing effort, transects were walked at variable intervals through each 

previously-mapped community. In smaller communities with general linear configurations, 

including the upland shrubland, the ponderosa pine woodland, and the riparian fringe wetland 

communities, transects were walked from one end of the community to the other. Short parallel 

transects were then walked back and forth across the community, perpendicular to the long 

transect. General conditions such as the location each community and visual estimates of 

dominant and flowering species for each community type were recorded. Comprehensive plant 

species lists for each community were updated, as necessary. Observations of on-the-ground 

discrepancies found between the previous mapping effort and current conditions were noted using 

visual estimation. Representative photographs of all plant communities were collected. Plant 

taxonomic authority follows Weber and Wittmann (2001). 

In the more extensive plant communities, including the xeric mixed grassland and developed 

areas, parallel transects were walked through different portions of each community. In the xeric 

mixed grassland, parallel transects were walked through a portion of the site west of Row 1, 

between Rows 1 and 2, between Rows 2 and 3, between Rows 3 and 4, east of Rows 4, in the 

northern portion of the project area both west and east of the buildings, and in the south portion of 

the project area, on either side of the south road (Figure 1). 

Noxious Weeds 

The location of weed populations defined by the Colorado Noxious Weed List (CDOA 2010) was 

assessed by walking transects across the site in August 2010. Populations of weeds that occurred 

in a diffuse pattern with individual or small numbers of plants scattered throughout the landscape 

were noted but not mapped as distinct polygons. Weed populations with a high density of plants 

per square meter were mapped as such. Digital location data were collected using Global 

Positioning System (GPS) receiver units and downloaded into a Geographic Information System 

(GIS) database. These data were used to estimate weed population size. 

General Wildlife Surveys 

General wildlife surveys were conducted in each season, concurrent with other surveys, as 

appropriate. These surveys included site-wide observations for large mammals, mammalian 

predators, reptiles and amphibians, and terrestrial arthropods specific to genera of concern as 

found in the CHNP query response (Appendix A) in appropriate habitats. In addition, any Special 

Status wildlife species observed were recorded. All wildlife observations were identified to 

species and locations were documented as GPS points. Habitat associations for wildlife are 

matched to the vegetation mapping. 

Targeted Wildlife Species 

Targeted wildlife species surveys were conducted in addition to the general surveys described 

above. Targeted wildlife surveys included nocturnal surveys for owls and amphibians, carnivore 

camera surveys, and small mammal trapping surveys. In addition, any Special Status species 

observed were recorded. 

5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Nocturnal Owl and Amphibian Surveys 

Nocturnal playback surveys were conducted for owl species with a possibility to occur at NWTC: 

northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) and northern pygmy-owl (Glaucidium gnoma). 

Surveys were conducted using a protocol adapted from the U.S. Forest Service (Francis & 

Bradstreet 1997). The timing of these surveys corresponds to the regional peak period of calling 

activity for breeding nocturnal owls. Surveys were conducted at a series of three points along a 

predetermined route. Points were selected to maximize the potential for detection of owls and 

efficiently survey NWTC. Two playback stations were located in the western portion of the site in 

the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodland located in the western portion of the site. A third 

point was added at the recommendation of NREL staff in an area where a third owl species, great 

horned owl (Bubo virginianus), had been observed. This was located just east of the intersection 

of Row 4 and the road along the southern boundary of the site. Great horned owls were noted 

whenever they were observed. One species, eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio), was not 

included in surveys as its preferred breeding habitat plains cottonwood (Populus tremuloides) 

riparian woodland does not occur on NWTC. 

Playback/response surveys were conducted on February 7 and 18. Playback/response involved 

playing 30 seconds of a recorded call of a single species followed by 30 second intervals of 

listening for a response. This pattern was repeated for five minutes for northern saw-whet owl, 

followed by five minutes of the same pattern for the northern pygmy-owl, for an overall total of 

10 minutes of playback/response at each sample point. 

Walsh conducted acoustical surveys for bats. Details of the methods and results of this work are 

presented in a separate report titled Bat Acoustical Surveys at the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, Jefferson County, Colorado, May 6, 2011 

(Appendix E). 

Amphibian call surveys occurred on May 3, 4, and June 2, 2011. Seven predetermined survey 

points were visited near wetland areas, 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. Points were selected to 

maximize the potential for detection of amphibians (wetlands and seasonal ponds) and efficiently 

survey NWTC. After arrival at a survey point, surveyors waited quietly for one minute, then 

began a five-minute listening period. The observers documented each species heard vocalizing 

and recorded a calling index value adapted for use across North America following a U.S. 

Geological Survey protocol (Droege 2010): 0 = no frogs, of a given species, can be heard calling; 

1 = individual calls, not overlapping; 2 = calls are overlapping; but individuals are still 

distinguishable; 3 = numerous frogs can be heard; chorus is constant and overlapping. 

Carnivore Camera Surveys 

Walsh used five motion-detecting camera setups for the carnivore camera surveys (TrailmasterTM 

monitors with connected film cameras). The monitors are passive sensing units that detect 

infrared waves and motion. Monitors recorded all interruption incidents of a cone-shaped beam to 

trigger the cameras. Surveys occurred for a total of five days (four consecutive nights) during 

each of the four seasons: July (summer), August (fall), November (winter), and February (spring). 

One roll of 24 exposure film was used per camera for each season of deployment. Five survey 

locations were selected based on potential carnivore use areas as evaluated by topography, tracks 

observed, vegetation, and staff knowledge as well as minimal disruption to/from NTWC research 

activities. The equipment was attached to existing metal T-posts and trees using straps and 

clamps and each camera was baited with a Scented Predator Survey Disk (USDA Pocatello 

Supply Depot 2010). Camera film was developed to assess what animals, including carnivores, 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

were photographed on the site. The camera sites were checked for tracks once each season when 

the cameras were taken down. 

Small Mammal Surveys 

Walsh conducted small mammal trapping along six transects in three vegetation communities: 

one in xeric mixed grassland/Ponderosa pine woodland, three in xeric mixed grassland, and two 

in riparian fringe wetland. Two small mammal live-trapping surveys occurred, one August 24 to 

26, 2010, and another May 2 to 5, 2011. Each survey took place over three consecutive nights. 

Two-hundred and fifty Sherman live traps were placed five meters apart along the transects, 

resulting in a total of 750 trap nights for each survey. 

The protocol employed standard field procedures for small mammal trapping and followed the 

guidelines approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the American Society of 

Mammalogists (Sikes et al. 2011). Traps were baited with sweet horse feed, and a ball of 

polyester batting was placed inside each trap for insulation and bedding to prevent hypothermia. 

The species, sex, and age of each trapped animal was determined and recorded each morning. The 

animals were released at the trap station, and the traps were closed and then reopened late in the 

day. Traps were washed at the end of the trapping session in a 10 percent bleach solution to 

prevent transmission of hantavirus. 

Data from the small mammal trapping were entered into an Excel spreadsheet. Quality 

assurance/quality control was conducted by cross-referencing the Excel spreadsheet with the 

original data sheets. 

RESULTS 

Background Research 

The results of the CNHP database query for the NWTC site indicate that it is located within the 

Rocky Flats Grassland Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) and the southeast portion of the 

site is located within the Rocky Flats Potential Conservation Area (PCA). Table 1 summarizes the 

results of the CNHP species and natural community query for NWTC (Appendix A). 

Table 1. Summary of CNHP Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural 

Communities Known From or Likely to Occur Within a Two-mile Radius of NREL’s 

National Wind Technology Center 

Common Name Scientific Name 

Mammals 

Black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus 

Meadow jumping mouse subsp. Zapus hudsonius preblei 

Birds 

Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis 

Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus 

Lewis’s woodpecker Melanerpes lewis 

Insects 

Arogos skipper Atrytone arogos 

7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Table 1. Summary of CNHP Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural 

Communities Known From or Likely to Occur Within a Two-mile Radius of NREL’s 

National Wind Technology Center 

Common Name Scientific Name 

Moss's elfin Callophrys mossii schryveri 

Hops feeding azure Celastrina humulus 

Mottled dusky wing Erynnis martialis 

Ottoe skipper Hesperia ottoe 

Cross-line skipper Polites origenes 

Regal fritillary Speyeria idalia 

Natural Communities 

Xeric tallgrass prairie Andropogon gerardii – Schizachyrium scoparium 

Western Great Plains herbaceous vegetation 

Xeric tallgrass prairie Andropogon gerardii – Sporobolus heterolepis 

Western foothills herbaceous vegetation 

Xeric tallgrass prairie Andropogon gerardii – Sporobolus heterolepis 

Western foothills herbaceous vegetation 

Great Plains mixed grass prairie Hesperostipa comate Colorado Front Range 

herbaceous vegetation 

Great Plains mixed grass prairie Hesperostipa neomexicana Herbaceous vegetation 

Foothills ponderosa pine scrub woodlands 

Pinus ponderosa / Cercocarpus montanus / 

Andropogon gerardii Wooded herbaceous 

vegetation 

Foothills riparian woodland Populus angustifolia / Salix irrorata Woodland 

Vascular Plants 

Dwarf wild indigo Amorpha nana 

Forktip three-awn Aristida basiramea 

Sedge sp. Carex oreocharis 

Rocky Mountain sedge Carex saximontana 

Yellow hawthorn Crataegus chrysocarpa 

Frostweed Crocanthemum bicknellii 

Gay feather Liatris ligulistylis 

Wavy-leaf stickleaf Nuttallia sinuata 

Walsh reviewed and field verified Special Status Species listed within the CNHP report that were 

likely to occur onsite. No Special Status Species were observed during all field work conducted 

during year long surveys conducted at NWTC. 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Vegetation Mapping 

Conservation Management Areas 

As discussed in the 2002 NWTC Sitewide EA (DOE 2002) approximately 60 acres of land within 

NWTC site boundaries have been designated as Conservation Management Areas not only to 

prevent development within critical wind corridors but also to protect the site’s natural resources. 

Future building and development are not allowed in ephemeral drainages, hillside seeps, a 

seasonal pond, mesic mixed grassland (includes tall-grass prairie species), or a prairie dog relocation area (Figure 1). 

Plant Communities 

The majority of the vegetation on the NWTC site belongs to the mixed-grass prairie association 

of the grassland formation (Weaver and Clements 1938). Mixed-grass prairie is defined by the 

presence of grass species typical of the tall-grass or true prairie such as big bluestem 

(Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and prairie dropseed 

(Sporobolus heterolepis), with species more typical of the short-grass prairie such as blue grama 

(Chondrosum gracile) and buffalo grass (Buchlöe dactyloides). Intermediate grasses (midgrasses) such as the needle grasses (Hesperostipa and Nassella spp.), wheatgrasses (Pascopyrum, 

Agropyron, Elytrigia, Elymus, and Thinopyrum spp.), and bluegrasses (Poa spp.) are also 

important constituents of mixed-grass prairie. 

The grasslands on the NWTC site comprise a mosaic of smaller vegetation units that could be 

delineated and defined based on the presence of two to five key plant species. However, for the 

purposes of this survey, the grasslands in the NWTC project area fall into the xeric mixed 

grassland community type identified and classified primarily on available soils and soil moisture, 

reflected in xeric mixed grassland plant species assemblages. 

A number of changes in vegetation patterns were noted since the NWTC site was previously 

mapped (DOE 1998, Plantae 2000). These observed changes will be discussed by specific plant 

community, below. The vegetation map is shown in Figure 1. Lists of plant species associated 

with each plant community are located in Appendix B. Representative photographs of each plant 

community are found in Appendix C. 

Xeric Mixed Grassland 

Xeric mixed grassland is by far the largest and most widespread community type on the NWTC 

site (Photo 1). These areas do not have access to regular soil moisture (xeric conditions) and are 

dominated by typical short- and mixed-grass prairie species. This plant community includes a 

large variety of native grass species as well as a diverse forb component, typical of mixed 

grasslands. Dominant species noted include yucca (Yucca glauca), crested wheatgrass 

(Agropyron cristatum), cheatgrass (Anisantha techtorum), smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis), 

and little bluestem. Species flowering in late spring 2011 include little bluestem, cheatgrass, sand 

lily (Leucocrinum montanum), wild iris (Iris missouriensis), Lambert locoweed (Oxytropis 

lambertii), mouse-ear (Cerastium strictum), western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), and 

prairie golden pea (Thermopsis rhombifolia). Plant species found in this grassland are listed in 

Table 1 of Appendix B. 

9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Mesic Mixed Grassland 

A distinctive single area dominated by big bluestem was mapped as mesic mixed grassland in the 

southwestern portion of the NWTC site by Plantae (2000). The relative size of the area, as well as 

the complete dominance of big bluestem, were distinctive enough to designate this community in 

the current survey (Photo 2). Dominant species noted include big bluestem, smooth brome, 

Canada thistle (Breea arvensis), and Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa). Species flowering in late 

spring 2011 include Lambert locoweed. Plant species found in this grassland are listed in Table 2 

of Appendix B. 

Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

One woodland habitat, defined by a single community, the ponderosa pine woodland, occurs in 

the northwestern corner of the site along a granite outcrop (Photo 3). This small area supports a 

very diverse native plant community including common grassland and foothills species, as well as 

a number of introduced and noxious weeds. Dominant species noted include ponderosa pine, 

smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, and green needlegrass (Nassella viridula). Species flowering 

in late spring 2011 include sand lily, western snowberry (Symphoricarpus occidentalis), 

groundsel (Senecio sp.), and wax current (Ribes cereum). Plant species found in this woodland 

are listed in Table 3 of Appendix B. 

At the beginning of the 2000 growing season, the most dense and widespread diffuse knapweed 

(Acosta diffusa) population on the NWTC site occurred among the trees in this habitat (Plantae 

2000). In the intervening ten years, diffuse knapweed has become ubiquitous across all of the 

upland plant communities. 

Upland Shrubland 

A small upland shrub community is located to the southeast of the ponderosa pine woodland, 

where the same ridge arises to a lesser degree from the surrounding grassland community (Photo 

4). This rocky ridge supports shrub species interspersed with grasses and forbs representative of 

the surrounding grasslands. Dominant species noted include western snowberry, wax current 

(Ribes cereum), Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis), Canada bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass 

(Poa pratense), and little bluestem. Species flowering in late spring 2011 include prairie 

goldenpea. Plant species found in this shrubland are listed in Table 4 of Appendix B. 

An isolated group of approximately eight hawthorn (Crataegus erthyropoda) shrubs occurs along 

the western site boundary, within the NWTC site boundary. These trees are at the top of the slope 

and occur directly east of an active area of construction disturbance, which is outside the NWTC 

site boundary and southeast of Coal Creek (Photo 10). 

Palustrine Emergent Wetland 

Two wetlands on the site fall into the palustrine emergent category. The first, south of Row 2, is a 

linear depression on the southern side of the south road. This area appears to have developed as 

the result of soil excavation intercepting sufficient surface water run-off from the adjacent road to 

support sedge species (Carex spp.). A second wetland is located on the southern boundary in an 

area previously disturbed from the neighboring industrial activities. This wetland comprises a 

center of cattails (Typha angustifolia) surrounded by a stand of coyote willow (Salix exigua). 

Two palustrine emergent wetlands were mapped in the mesic mixed grassland in the 2000 

growing season. These areas appear to have dried considerably in the intervening ten years. The 

small wetland pockets of cattails (Typha spp.) that occurred in the southern portions of this area 

10 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

are no longer present, apparently replaced, by large stands of Canada thistle. Dead remnants of 

Baltic rush (Juncus balticus) can be found in the area litter (prior years’ herbaceous vegetation). 

Dominant species noted include smooth brome. Plant species found in this wetland are listed in 

Table 5 of Appendix B. 

Riparian Fringe Wetland 

Areas of riparian fringe wetland occur along the two ephemeral drainages on the NWTC site 

(Figure 1). Both drainages occur in the northeastern portion of the site, one flowing east and one 

flowing north. Both show evidence of intermittent surface flow. The northern-most drainage is a 

tributary of Coal Creek and the second drainage is a tributary to Rock Creek. 

Surface flow in the drainage to the northeast appears to be augmented by outflow from the 

groundwater seep wetland on the western bank (see below). The second and larger drainage (RF1) conducts surface flows through the center of the site off to the eastern fence line. The upper 

reaches of this drainage are a shallow grassland swale that begins between Rows 3 and 4. This 

channel deepens as it flows east across the site. At its eastern reaches, this drainage clearly 

intercepts subsurface water, although not in sufficient quantities to produce consistent surface 

flow. Dominant species noted include Canada thistle, Baltic rush, common evening-primrose 

(Oenothera villosa), smooth brome, and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii). Plant species 

found in these riparian fringe communities are listed in Table 6 of Appendix B. 

Groundwater Seep Wetland 

Two areas of groundwater seep wetland were located on the NWTC site. The first occurs west of 

the ponderosa pine woodland, in the northwestern portion of the site along the northern fenceline 

(Photo 7). The species in and surrounding this draw comprise more upland species than noted in 

2000. 

A very small area of this wetland community occurs on the banks of the northern drainage (Photo 

8). This community is a clearly demarcated area of primarily wetland plants amidst the 

surrounding grassland. Fifty plant species were identified in this community in 2000, many of 

which also occur in the riparian fringe wetland to the south. Dominant species noted include 

smooth brome, mullein species (Verbascum spp.), and common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). 

Species flowering in late spring 2011 include common teasel, common dandelion (Taraxicum 

officinale), and hawthorn. Plant species found in these groundwater seep wetlands are listed in 

Table 7 of Appendix B. 

Seasonal Pond 

A seasonal pond occurs at the northwestern corner of the site, west of the southern terminus of the 

ponderosa pine woodland (Photo 9). This area appears to depend on an elevated spring and early 

summer water table for the hydric soil moisture conditions that support this community. 

Observers have noted that the pond depression often contains standing water in the spring and 

early summer in some years (Plantae 2000). However, no standing water was observed in this 

area during the late summer 2010 survey or during the late spring 2011 survey. These drier soil 

conditions are reflected in a shift of dominant plant species in this community between the 2000 

and 2010-2011 survey periods. Dominant species noted include moth mullein (Verbascum 

blattaria), Canada bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and Canada thistle. Plant 

species found in this area are listed in Table 8 of Appendix B. 

11 
 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Disturbed 

These plant associations reflect surface disturbance due to human activities on the site. These 

areas include roadsides, pad sites, parking lot perimeters, construction sites, and storage areas. 

Some of these areas have been revegetated and now include a combination of species from 

surrounding natural plant communities, reclamation species, and adventive (non-native) or 

ruderal (native or adventive, disturbance colonizer) species. Dominant species noted include 

smooth brome. Plant species found in this grassland are listed in Table 9 of Appendix B. 

Ornamental Trees/Shrubs 

Disturbed areas around the buildings have been landscaped and planted with a combination of 

native and ornamental trees and shrubs. The trees include multiple species of junipers (Sabina 

spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.) interspersed with ornamental deciduous trees. Shrubs in these areas 

are mainly chokecherry (Padus virginiana) and rose (Rosa spp.) bushes. 

Noxious Weeds 

A list of noxious weeds found at NWTC is shown in Table 2. Noxious weed populations are 

illustrated in Figure 2. 

Table 2. Noxious Weed Species Identified at the National Wind Technology 

Center, Colorado August, 2010 

Common Name Scientific Binomial Estimated Area 

(acres) 

Canada thistle Breea arvensis 6.0 

Cheatgrass Anisantha tectorum * 

Common mullein Verbascum thapsus 0.8 

Common teasel Dipsacus fullonum 1.8 

Chicory Cichorium intybus 0.05 

Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica 3.5 

Diffuse knapweed Acosta diffusa 10.5** 

Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula 0.1 

Musk thistle Carduus nutans 3.2 

Sulfur cinquefoil Potentilla recta 0.3 

Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium 0.3 

Whitetop Cardaria draba 0.03 

Species in bold font are on the list of top ten priority weeds for Colorado.
 

*Cheatgrass was pervasive throughout the site and was therefore not mapped.
 

**Diffuse knapweed is found throughout the site and the estimated area is for higher densities of plants
 

per square meter.
 

12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada Thistle, 

Diffuse Knapweed 

U:\Projects\900758.0001.020_nrel_nwtc\gis\map_mxd\Figure 2 Weed Mapping at NREL_nwt_2010 and 2011.mxd 

! ! 

! 

! 

! ! 

! ! ! 

! 

! 

! 

! 

!! 

!! 

! 

! 

!!! 

! 

! ! 

ROW 4 

ROW 3 

ROW 1 

ROW 2 

South Road 

North Road 

Canada Thistle, 

Common Mullein, 

Bull Thistle 

Canada Thistle, 

Common Mullein 

Common Teasel, 

Canada Thistle, 

Diffuse Knapweed 

Musk Thistle, 

Canada Thistle, 

Sulfur Cinquefoil, 

Diffuse Knapweed 

Scotch Thistle, 

Musk Thistle 

Musk Thistle, 

Dalmatian Toadflax 

Sulfur Cinquefoil, 

Common Mullein, 

Diffuse Knapweed 

Canada Thistle, 

Common Mullein, 

Musk Thistle 

3 

COALTON DR CR 67 66TH ST

COAL CREEK DR 

17J 

PRADO DR 

UV93 

UV128 

Eldorado Springs 

$ 1:5,400
 

500 250 0
 

Feet 

1 in = 450 feet 

NWTC Boundary Dalmatian Toadflax Musk Thistle Various Species 

Canada Thistle Diffuse Knapweed Sulfur Cinquefoil (See Label) 

Chicory Leafy Spurge White Top 

Figure 2. Weed Mapping at the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, 

2010 and 2011 

500 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

General Wildlife Surveys 

The results of the general wildlife surveys found species typical of the region observed at NWTC. 

No Special Status wildlife or terrestrial arthropod species were detected during the four seasons 

of surveys. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) were 

the most commonly observed mammals, seen in a variety of vegetation communities. 

Woodhouse’s toad (Bufo woodhousii) and boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) were the 

only detected herpetofauna. Terrestrial arthropods included commonly observed butterfly species 

such as western white (Pontia occidentalis) and orange sulphur (Colias eurytheme), occurring 

mostly in xeric mixed grasslands during the summer season. All observations and the associated 

vegetation community are documented in Table 3. Observation points are documented in Figure 

3. 

During the fall surveys, three wildlife species were detected. Only signs (scat) of coyote (Canis 

latrans) and mule deer (tracks, scat, and beds) were found. Woodhouse’s toad was detected four 

times, but only as road-killed individuals. In these cases, the nearest vegetation community is 

noted for these individuals. In the winter, only mule deer were detected: a group of three in the 

solar array, and three individuals (detected by a monitor camera) in the northwestern 

Conservation Management Area. In the spring, a group of 16 mule deer were detected in the 

conservation easement along the southern boundary of the project area. Desert cottontail rabbit 

were detected in four locations: three around buildings and one within abandoned black-tailed 

prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) burrows. In the summer, signs for mule deer and American 

elk (Cervus canadensis) were observed. NWTC staff have frequently observed elk on the site 

over the last five to seven years (Tim Johansson via Thomas Ryon, NREL, personal 

communication), and a boreal chorus frog was observed where the Row Four Road intersects an 

upper drainage for Rock Creek. A cottontail rabbit was observed on the northern side of the 

Industrial User Facility. Note: the identification of the cottontails as the desert cottontail was 

based on habitat, as the three species of cottontails common to the Front Range are very difficult 

to distinguish in the field (Armstrong et al. 2011). 

Table 3. General Wildlife Observations at the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory National Wind Technology Center, 2010 – 2011 

Common Name Scientific Name Vegetation Community 

Code* 

Mammals 

Desert cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii BRS 

American elk (tracks only) Cervus canadensis XMG 

Coyote (scat only) Canis latrans XMG 

Mule deer (tracks, scats and 

beds) Odocoileus hemionus RFW 

Amphibians 

Woodhouse’s toad (deceased) Bufo woodhousii XMG 

Boreal chorus frog Pseudacris maculata RFW, SP 

Terrestrial Arthropods 

Checkered white Pontia protodice RFW 

14 
National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Common Name Scientific Name Vegetation Community 

Code* 

Western white Pontia occidentalis XMG 

Cabbage white Pieris rapae RFW 

Orange sulphur Colias eurytheme XMG 

Dainty sulphur Nathalis iole XMG 

Gray hairstreak Strymon melinus RFW 

Aphrodite fritillary Speyeria aphrodite RFW 

Common wood nymph Cercyonis pegala RFW 

*Vegetation community code: XMG= Xeric mixed grassland, RFW=Riparian fringe wetland, PEW=Palustrine 

emergent wetland, BRS=Building/road/structure, SP=Seasonal pond. 

The list of all wildlife species observed from all surveys combined is shown in Appendix D. 

15 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U:\Pr ojects\900758.0001.020_nr el_nwtc\gis\map_m xd\Figure 3 Amphibian Call_etc_trapping stations _transects at NWT C 2010 and 2011.mxd 

Figure 3. Amphibian Call, Small Owl, Carnivore Camera, and Small Mammal 

Trapping Points and Transects at the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, 2010 and 2011 

!( 

!( 

!( 

!( 

!( 

!( 

!( 

[b 

[b 

[b 

!. 

!. 

!. 

!. 

!. 

ROW 4 

ROW 3 

ROW 1 

ROW 2 

South Road 

North Road 

S3 

S2 

S1 

C5 

C4 

C3 

C1 

C2 

A7 

A6 

A5 

A2 

A1 

A4 

A3 

[b Small Owl Stations (S1-3) 

!( Amphibian Call Stations (A1-7) 

!. Carnivore Camera Stations (C1-5) 

Mammal Trapping Transect (with number of traps) 

Conservation Management Areas 

NWTC Boundary 

500 250 0 500 

Feet 

1:5,4 00 

1 in = 450 feet $ 

3 

COALTON DR CR 67 66TH ST 

COAL CREEK DR 

17J 

PRADO DR 

UV93 

UV128 

Eldorado Springs 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Targeted Wildlife 

Nocturnal Wildlife Surveys 

Nocturnal playback surveys for northern saw-whet owl and northern pygmy-owl failed to detect 

or elicit any responses from those species. A duetting pair of great horned owls were detected at 

S2 on February 7. 

During the amphibian call surveys boreal chorus frogs were detected on May 3 and 4 at two 

points: A5 and A7 (Figure 3), however the frogs were outside the boundaries of NWTC. The 

index value assigned to each observation was 3, meaning that numerous frogs were heard and the 

chorus was constant and overlapping. On June 2, boreal chorus frogs were detected at points A3 

and A5 outside the boundaries of NWTC with an index value of 2; calls were overlapping but 

individuals were still distinguishable. A single boreal chorus frog (index value 1) was detected at 

A2 near a dry ephemeral pond within the boundaries of NWTC. 

Carnivore Camera Surveys 

No carnivores were recorded using the motion-detecting monitors. Two photographs were 

captured of mule deer. 

Small Mammal Surveys 

Small mammal trapping results are summarized in Table 4. In August 2010, a total of 99 

individual small mammals were captured, represented by five species (Table 4). There were 31 

recaptures over the four survey nights. Species captured were masked shrew (Sorex cinereus), 

deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), prairie vole (M. 

ochrogaster), and Mexican woodrat (Neotoma mexicana). The masked shrew was captured in the 

northeast drainage on Transect C, and represents a new occurrence record for the site. Deer mice 

were captured throughout, meadow and prairie voles were captured in the eastern most drainages 

(Transects B and C), and Mexican woodrats were captured in the western draw on Transect A 

(Figure 3). 

In May 2011, a total of 63 individual small mammals were captured, representing four species 

(Table 4). There were 26 recaptures. Species captured were deer mouse, western harvest mouse 

(Reithrodontomys megalotis), meadow vole, and Mexican woodrat. In this trapping event, the 

deer mice were captured throughout, the western harvest mice were captured in Transects D and 

E, the lone meadow vole was captured in Transect B, and the lone Mexican woodrat was captured 

in Transect A (Figure 3). 

In August 2010, with 750 trap nights and a total of 130 captures (99 individuals and 31 

recaptures), there was a 17 percent capture rate. In May 2011, with 89 captures (63 individual 

captures and 26 recaptures), there was a 12 percent capture rate. 

For the two years combined, the overall capture rate was 15 percent (219 captures out of 1500 

trap nights) and there was a species richness of 6: masked shrew, deer mouse, western harvest 

mouse, meadow vole, prairie vole, and Mexican woodrat. 

17 
 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Table 4. Small Mammal Captures at the National Wind Technology Center, 2010 

and 2011. 

Species 

Xeric 

Mixed 

Grassland 

Xeric Mixed 

Grassland/Ponderosa 

Pine Woodland 

Riparian 

Fringe 

Wetland 

Total 

Fall 2010 

Masked Shrew 

(Sorex cinereus) 

0 0 2 2 

Deer Mouse 

(Peromyscus maniculatus) 38(13) 13(5) 6(1) 57(19) 

Mexican Woodrat 

(Neotoma mexicana) 

0 3 0 3 

Prairie Vole 

(Microtus ochrogaster) 

2 1 16(5) 19(5) 

Meadow Vole 

(Microtus pennsylvanicus) 0 0 11(7) 11(7) 

Vole (Microtus sp.) 0 0 7 7 

Total 99(31) 

Summer 2011 

Western Harvest Mouse 

(Reithrodontomys megalotis) 2 0 0 2 

Deer Mouse 

(Peromyscus maniculatus) 37(21) 13(4) 6(1) 56(26) 

Mexican Woodrat 

(Neotoma mexicana) 

0 1 0 1 

Prairie Vole 

(Microtus ochrogaster) 

0 2 0 2 

Meadow Vole 

(Microtus pennsylvanicus) 0 0 2 2 

Total 63(26) 

2010 and 2011 Combined 

Total 162(57) 

All values based on 750 trap-nights. There were 2 closed traps in 2010 and 21 closed traps in 2011. Values 

in parentheses ( ) indicate recaptures. 

The list of all wildlife species observed from all surveys combined is shown in Appendix D. 

18 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Avian Survey Results from Tetra Tech 

Avian surveys conducted by Tetra Tech, Inc. include the following: 

 Fixed point 

 Breeding bird 

 Raptor migration 

 Bird and Bat mortality 

These surveys were conducted beginning January 2010 to September 2011. The results of these 

surveys are presented in a separate report. 

DISCUSSION 

Background Research 

A number of species were listed in the CNHP query. Other than for arthropods, Special Status 

Species surveys were not conducted as part of the current study. If one such species was 

encountered, Walsh would have made a noted, but none of these were found in 2010-2011. This 

is likely due to a number of reasons, including: 

 Some records date as far back as 1984, and anthropogenic activities since then may have 

extirpated these populations from NWTC 

 Some records are from habitats that occur within two miles but thus habitat is lacking or 

marginal on NWTC for some species, such as Ute Ladies’-tresses, certain arthropods and 

Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. 

 In some cases, the occurrence of favorable moisture or climatic conditions at a future 

time may cause species to germinate or return to the site. 

Vegetation Mapping 

Conservation Management Areas 

Improvements in geospatial analysis and mapping precision since 2000 are likely the reason why 

the location of the mesic mixed grassland area, as it was mapped in 2010, and the original 

Conservation Management Area, as it was mapped in 2000, do not overlap with greater precision 

(Figure 1). In 2010, Walsh ground-truthed the mesic mixed grassland area with sub-foot precision 

using a Trimble GPS unit. In addition, the appearance of a general drying trend in the area could 

explain why the mesic mixed grassland has apparently contracted in size since 2000. 

Plant Communities 

A number of changes in the vegetation patterns were noted since these areas were previously 

mapped (DOE 1998, Plantae 2000). Overall observed trends in vegetation patterns include a 

general increase in invasive and noxious weed species diversity and extent across the site and a 

broad shift in native species composition toward more upland species and fewer species with a 

wetland indicator status of facultative or wetter. Some possible factors that may be contributing to 

these apparent trends could include general drying of soils as well as changes in land use, 

including surface disturbing activities, since 2000. Vegetation mapping is shown in Figure 1. 

19 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

The wetlands noted on the site have not been jurisdictionally delineated. Due to a dry winter in 

2010, followed by a dry spring in 2011, borders of wetland communities were not able to be 

confirmed with assurance for this report. 

Xeric Mixed Grassland 

The DOE’s vegetation mapping effort characterized the majority of the NWTC site as xeric tallgrass prairie in 1998, defined by the dominance of characteristic tall-grass prairie species, most 

especially big bluestem and little bluestem (DOE 1998). However, this was not found to be the 

typical condition when the site was mapped in 2000 by Plantae. Instead, at that time, as now, the 

site supports a diverse matrix of grass species typical of mixed grassland, including distinctive, 

but very small patches of big bluestem, with the one exception discussed below. It would not be 

accurate to describe the site as dominated by tall-grass prairie species. Neither does the site 

experience the climatic conditions or soils that further define tall-grass prairie. 

Mesic Mixed Grassland 

A single area of big bluestem was mapped as mesic mixed grassland in the southwest portion of 

the site by Plantae in 2000. The relative size of this area, as well as the complete dominance of 

big bluestem, were distinctive enough to designate this community separately. The current 

mapping effort found this area much reduced in size and of an entirely different character. While 

big bluestem is still a dominant grass species here, it no longer occurs in a monoculture stand, as 

described in Plantae (2000). Dominant graminoids observed in 2010-2011 include big bluestem, 

Canada bluegrass, and cheatgrass. Canada thistle is the dominant forb. 

Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

It has been speculated that this forested habitat may represent remnants of a widespread pine 

forest that once occupied this entire area prior to human timbering and burning (Clark et al. 

1980). This now isolated woodland patch serves as bat foraging habitat and as vegetation cover 

for various mammal and bird species that may not otherwise visit the open grassland mesa top. 

The understory of this community is composed of a mixture of shrubs, grassland and foothills 

plant species (Plantae, 2000). 

Upland Shrubland 

The isolated group of hawthorns along the western site boundary do not comprise a plant 

community. The soils and characteristics of the herbaceous layer associated with the hawthorns 

are contiguous with those of the surrounding xeric mixed grassland. Because this group of trees is 

upslope and southeast of stretches of Coal Creek, it is possible that groups of hawthorns within 

the creek’s riparian fringe provided a seed source for the hawthorns within the project boundary. 

Palustrine Emergent Wetland 

Current field observations found these areas, referred to as cattail seeps in Plantae 2000, are no 

longer dominated by cattails. In addition, Baltic rush appears to have thrived in these areas at one 

time, as evidenced by its litter remnants. Although Baltic rush is an obligate wetland species in 

Region 5 (Reed 1988), it is able to persist in an area for several years after its water source is no 

longer present. 

20 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Riparian Fringe Wetland 

The two areas of riparian fringe wetland occur along two ephemeral drainages and support 

wetland plant species not found anywhere else on the NWTC site. This community is a mixture 

of typical grassland species with those most often found in wetland or riparian areas, as well as 

introduced species and some noxious weeds. 

Groundwater Seep Wetland 

The full sun conditions of this area have allowed common teasel to thrive. It is now the dominant 

species surrounding the seep and is beginning to spread to the south toward the riparian fringe 

and ephemeral drainage. Native species diversity has decreased since 2000, likely are a result of 

the competitive pressure exerted by the expansion of the common teasel. 

Seasonal Pond 

The seasonal pond represents an unusual habitat feature in the surrounding xeric mixed 

grasslands. As observed by Plantae in 2000, the area apparently only holds water as a result of 

seasonal surface run-off. Saturated soils were not observed in the seasonal pond during site visits 

due to the general lack of precipitation at those specific times. The general drying trend observed 

in other vegetation communities throughout NWTC appears to have caused a shift in dominant 

vegetation in the seasonal pond area as well. This site is no longer dominated by mesic species, 

such as sedges (Carex spp.), spike-rush (Eleocharis sp.), and rushes (Juncus spp.), observed by 

Plantae in 2000 and instead supports upland grasses and several ruderal forb species. 

Disturbed 

Figure 1 shows a Building/Road/Structure category for anthropogenic features. As is often the 

case, disturbed areas at the NWTC site appear to show a high correlation with weed populations. 

Although noxious weed populations occur throughout the NWTC site, larger populations appear 

to occur near locations where human activities have disturbed the soil surface. Surface 

disturbance such as building footprints and road construction often leave areas of bare ground 

where colonizing weeds tend to establish more quickly than amidst established native vegetation. 

Examples of noxious weed populations establishing and spreading as an apparent result of surface 

disturbance include populations of Dalmatian toadflax (Lineria dalmatica) associated with access 

roads between Rows 3 and 4 and south of this area; diffuse knapweed populations associated with 

the testing and research buildings north of the North Road; and populations of Canada and musk 

thistle (Carduus nutans) on all sides of the new seven-acre solar array west of Row 2 (Figure 2). 

Noxious Weeds 

The NWTC site contains 12 plant species (Table 2) found on the State of Colorado Noxious 

Weed List. Of these, five are included in the top ten priority weeds for Colorado, as listed in the 

Colorado Weed Management Act. These species are the most widespread and cause the greatest 

economic impact to the state and should be considered a priority for the weed management plan 

developed for the NWTC site. 

Many of the noxious weeds found on the site occur in small populations such as leafy spurge 

(Euphorbia esula), whitetop (Cardaria draba), common teasel, chicory (Cichorium intybus), and 

scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium). However, due to the large areas of disturbance on the 

NWTC site, they are likely to spread if these populations are not actively controlled. 

21 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Diffuse knapweed is scattered throughout the entire site and represents a large threat to native 

plant diversity. In addition, musk thistle (Carduus nutans), dalmation toadflax, and Canada thistle 

are found in large populations and appear to be spreading. 

Many of the same species of noxious weeds detected in 2010 were also noted when the site was 

surveyed in 2000 by Plantae, with diffuse knapweed once more covering a large portion of the 

site. However, it appears many weed populations have increased since 2000, likely in response to 

surface disturbance associated with three multi-megawatt wind turbines, the former and current 

prairie dog colony locations, the recent installation of multi-megawatt wind turbines, a new seven 

acre solar array, and other new facilities. 

Because weed populations are now mapped and in a GIS database, baseline cover estimates for 

the 12 noxious weed species have been established and can be used for comparisons with future 

weed monitoring efforts. 

General Wildlife Surveys 

Species detected during the four seasons of general wildlife surveys were typical of wildlife to be 

expected in the area. Most were previously documented in the EA (DOE 2002). No Special Status 

Species of wildlife or terrestrial arthropods were observed. The EA relied on an inventory of 

wildlife conducted by the DOE of the nearby Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site 

(RFETS) which included the NWTC in 1992. Thus a larger area was covered for the EA (DOE 

2002) than in the present study, and more wildlife species were included in the EA than in the 

current study. Thus the differences in species are likely a result of spatial differences between the 

two studies. The level of effort for surveys in DOE (2002) is not stated and thus comparisons with 

the present study cannot be made in that regard. 

NWTC is documented as resident, summer, and winter range for mule deer and overall, summer, 

winter, and production range for American elk (NDIS 2011). The EA (DOE 2002) did not 

document American elk which are increasing on nearby City of Boulder Open Space in the Coal 

Creek drainage immediately northwest of the site (Steve Jones, personal communication; Scott 

Severs, Walsh, personal observation). Also NWTC staff has frequently observed elk on-site over 

the last five to seven years (Tim Johansson via Thomas Ryon, NREL, personal communication). 

Two additional species not accounted for in the EA but observed during the current surveys 

included boreal chorus frog and Woodhouse’s toad. 

Targeted Wildlife Species 

Nocturnal Wildlife Surveys 

The remnant and small nature of the ponderosa pine forest, and the presence of great horned owls 

which are a known predator of small owls, likely precluded the presence of northern saw-whet 

and northern pygmy-owls on the site. Saw-whet owls generally prefer mature and old growth 

stands of coniferous forests (Rasmussen et. al. 2008) and pygmy-owls generally prefer mixed 

conifer and deciduous habitats (Holt and Petersen 2000). Both rely on snags for nesting and the 

NWTC site is mostly devoid of this habitat feature. Preferable hunting and nesting habitats can be 

found on nearby City of Boulder Open Space properties. Eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio) 

has been found on adjoining properties in upland shrub habitat (Brenda Beatty – NREL, personal 

communication). However, this species was not included in surveys as its preferred breeding 

habitat, plains cottonwood (Populus tremuloides) riparian woodland, does not occur on NWTC. 

22 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Amphibian call surveys only detected the vocalizations of one species, boreal chorus frog at 

NWTC. General wildlife surveys also and Woodhouse’s toad within the property. Dryer than 

average conditions on NWTC from August 2010 to March 2010 may have influenced detections 

of calling amphibians. 

Carnivore Camera Surveys 

Although no carnivores were photographed by the motion detection monitors, general wildlife 

surveys did note coyote scat once at NWTC. The carnivore cameras were operating within 

normal parameters during the survey as evidenced by the two exposures taken of mule deer. This 

technology is influenced by the motion of vegetation however, which led to nearly all rolls of 

film being fully exposed. An additional examination of the area around the scent disks did not 

yield any observations of tracks. The surrounding land uses, habitats, and topography of NWTC 

does not lend itself to any concentrated areas of carnivore activity or focused movements. 

NWTC staff has often observed coyotes onsite and on surrounding lands (David Sprowls, NREL, 

personal communication). Coyotes are known to breed and rear young on the Rocky Flats 

Wildlife Refuge (previously known as RFETS; Thomas Ryon, NREL, personal communication). 

Small Mammal Surveys 

The overall capture rate was 15 percent, indicative of a reasonably high general abundance of 

small mammals. Capture rates of small mammals vary due to a number of factors including 

location, season, year, precipitation, and in relation to land use and habitat type. 

There was a higher number of captures in 2010 than in 2011, due to the higher number of voles in 

2010. There were 37 individuals captured in 2010 and only 4 individuals captured in 2011 of both 

meadow and prairie voles combined. This was likely due to a very dry 2011 winter and spring 

east of the mountains, as both species are associated with riparian areas or general drainage basins 

(Armstrong et al. 1994). Furthermore, small mammal densities are known to fluctuate widely 

over time (Smith et al. 2009). During both trapping events, five species were captured. The 

masked shrew was captured in 2010 but not in 2011, whereas the western harvest mouse was 

captured in 2011 but not in 2010. Otherwise, species representation was the same. Although not 

captured, burrow holes and runways of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus 

tridecemlineatus) were observed in the xeric mixed grassland. This species was reported present 

in 2002 (DOE 2002) and likely is still present. 

The species richness of six captured species of small mammals in 2010-2011 at NWTC is high 

relative to Walsh’s extensive trapping experience all along the Front Range. This is likely due, in 

part, to the combination of different habitat types found on the site. It also indicates that the site 

does have biodiversity value, especially for small mammals. Small mammals, in turn, support 

biodiversity by serving as prey to many species of predators including snakes, raptors, and 

coyotes. 

The previous work (DOE 2002) found four species, deer mouse, prairie vole, thirteen-lined 

ground squirrel, and Mexican woodrat. Other than the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, all those 

species were captured during the present surveys as well as the masked shrew and western 

harvest mouse. It is not known if the species richness has increased, or more likely, the trapping 

effort was greater and/or that conditions favoring the moisture-dependent masked shrew and 

meadow vole were present in 2010. 

Of the three habitats sampled, xeric mixed grassland and xeric mixed grassland/Ponderosa pine 

woodland had three small mammal species each, whereas the riparian fringe wetland had four 

23 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

species. Riparian corridors are known to be favored habitats for many faunal species, small 

mammals included. 

The possibility of the occasional occurrence of a Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus 

hudsonius preblei) on one of the two riparian fringe wetlands, tributaries of Coal Creek (Transect 

C) and Rock Creek (Transect B), or the draw in the Conservation Management Area on the west 

side of the site (Transect A) should not be ruled out, especially during wet years (Figure 3). Both 

Coal Creek and Rock Creek are known to be occupied by this mouse, listed as threatened under 

the Endangered Species Act. Preble’s mice occur on the adjacent Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge 

(previously known as RFETS), where their dispersal and daily movements have been studied 

(Ryon 1999). There also was an unexpected 1997 off-site capture of a Preble’s mouse in close 

vicinity to the site. That occurrence was in a roadside gully on the western side of SH93 (ETS 

1997, as cited in DOE 2002) and tributary to Coal Creek. Preble’s mice have the ability to move 

into the headwater tributaries on the NWTC, however the habitat is marginal and the value of 

such movements would be difficult to determine. This headwater tributary may be accessed by 

transient individuals seeking suitable habitat or could be used as hibernation sites, perhaps in 

years when other more suitable habitat is occupied. Transient individuals could move through the 

site to access other suitable habitat areas in Coal Creek or Rock Creek on the Rocky Flats 

Wildlife Refuge. However, such movements are likely very rare. It is important to note that the 

vegetation types that a Preble’s mouse would possibly use on the NWTC are already 

Conservation Management Areas and these areas will be protected from impacts for a variety of 

environmentally related reasons, including preservation of wetlands, water quality and site 

diversity. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Based on the observations discussed above, there are several measures and recommendations that 

could minimize impacts to native vegetation communities and wildlife in relation to the presence 

of the wind testing development activities on site. These include: 

 Develop the smallest possible footprint for turbines, access roads, and other 

infrastructure. For example, if a new road is needed, determine what can be the narrowest 

width and shortest extent, or use a two-track rather than a proper road. 

 Minimize disturbance to native plant communities to benefit native grassland species of 

amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. 

 To protect native plant community biodiversity, eradicate small weed populations, 

monitor for new weed infestations, and actively manage weeds on-site through NREL’s 

aggressive weed control program (DOE 2002, Jefferson County Nature Association 

2009). 

 As suggested by Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC 2006), fit new power 

and communication towers with perch guards; design powerline conductor spacing to 

minimize the potential for raptor electrocutions (52 inches apart for raptors); design 

transmission lines to have the top two wires (lightning/ground wires) made visible. 

 Equip permanent meteorological towers with Bird Flight Diverters to minimize the 

potential for avian collisions with guy wires, or utilize meteorological towers that are 

constructed without the use of guy wires. 

 Adhere to Executive Order (EO) 13186 - Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect 

Migratory Birds (January 17, 2001); the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between 

24 
 

 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

DOE and USFWS regarding EO 13186 (November 13, 2006); and the MOU between the 

Trustee Council for Natural Resources at Rocky Flats, and DOE’s Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) (June 30, 2009). 

 Consider preparation of an Avian and Bat Protection Plan (ABPP) as part of the ongoing 

site activities. 

REFERENCES 

Armstrong , D.M., J.P. Fitzgerald, and C.A. Meaney. 2011. Mammals of Colorado. University 

Press of Colorado, Niwot. 467 pp. 

Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC). 2006. Suggested practices for avian 

protection on power lines: State of the art 2006. Edison Electric Institute, APLIC, and the 

California Energy Commission. Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California. 

Clark, S.V., P.J. Webber, V. Komarkova, and W.A. Weber. 1980. Map of Mixed Prairie 

Grassland and Vegetation Rocky Flats, Colorado. Institute of Arctic an Alpine Research. 

Occasional Paper No. 35. University of Colorado. 

Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDOA). 2010. Colorado Noxious Weed List. 

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1174084048733. 

Accessed online 6/2010. 

Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). 2010. Species of Concern. 

http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/ThreatenedEndangeredList/ 

ListOfThreatenedAndEndangeredSpecies.htm 

Droege, S. Amphibian Calling Surveys. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. 

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/monmanual/techniques/amphibcallingsurveys.htm. Accessed 

online 3/2010. 

Ensight Technical Services (ETS). 1997. Presence or absence survey for Preble’s meadow 

jumping mouse at Western Aggregate, Jefferson County, Colorado. Technical report 

prepared for Colorado Department of Transportation Project BR 093-1(16) SH 93 North 

of SH 72, Western Aggregate Bridge. 

Francis, C.M. and Bradstreet, M.S.W. 1997. Monitoring Boreal Forest Owls in Ontario using tape 

playback surveys with volunteers. In: Duncan, James R.; Johnson, David H.; Nicholls, 

Thomas H., eds. Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd 

International symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 175-184. 

Holt, D.W. and J.L. Petersen. 2000. Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma), The Birds of 

North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved 

from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/494 

Jefferson County Nature Association. 2009. Rocky Flats Restoration Enhancement. 2009 Annual 

Report prepared for the Trustee Council for Natural Resources at Rocky Flats. Submitted 

to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under PO FEA HAZ 104960. 

25 
 

 

 

National Renewable Energy Lab, National Wind Technology Center 

2010-2011 Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys 

Final Report 

Monahan, M.W. 1996. Raptor presence in and around the National Wind Technology Center: An 

assessment of risks and management alternatives. National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. 

Natural Diversity Information System (NDIS). 2011. 

http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlifespx.asp?SpCode=051044 

Plantae Consulting Services. 2000. Vegetation Survey Report. National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory National Wind Technology Center. September 30, 2000. 

Rasmussen, J.L., S.G. Sealy, and R.J. Cannings. 2008. Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius 

acadicus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of 

Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/042 

Reed, Jr., P. B. 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: Central plains, (Region 

5). U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Biol. Rept. 88 (26.5). 

Ryon, T. R. 1999. Travel distance and movement patterns of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse 

(Zapus hudsonius preblei) at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site. Journal of 

Colorado-Wyoming Academy of Science 31:12. 

Schmidt, E., A.J. Piaggio, C.E. Bock, and D.M. Armstrong. 2003. National Wind Technology 

Center Site Environmental Assessment: Bird and Bat Use and Fatalities-Final Report. 

NREL/SR-500-32981. 

Sikes, R.S., W.L. Gannon, and the Animal Care and Use Committee of the American Society of 

Mammalogists. 2011. Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use 

of wild mammals in research. Journal of Mammalogy, 92(1):235-253. 

http://mammalsociety.org/committees/index.asp 

Smith, M.H. et al. 2009. Density estimations of small mammal populations. Pp 25-53 in (F.B. 

Golley, K. Petrusewicz, and L. Ryszkowski, eds.) Small mammals: their productivity and 

population dynamics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 

U.S. Department Of Energy (DOE). May 2002. Site-Wide Environmental Assessment (EA) of 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) National Wind Technology Center 

(NWTC). Golden, Colorado 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). August 1998. Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site 

Vegetation Map. Rocky Mountain Remediation Services (RMRS). Map ID: 02-0208. 

Golden, Colorado. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). July 2010. Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate 

Species and Designated Critical Habitat for Colorado Counties. 

http://www.fws.gov/mountain%2Dprairie/endspp/countylists/colorado.pdf 

Weaver, J. E. and F. E. Clements. 1938. Plant Ecology. McGraw-Hill. Book Company, Inc., New 

York. 524 pp. 

Weber, W.A. and R.C. Wittmann. 2001. Colorado Flora: Eastern Slope. University of Colorado 

Press. Third Edition. Boulder Colorado. 

26 
APPENDIX A 

Colorado Natural Heritage Program Data Query Response 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Natural Heritage Program Terminology Cheat Sheet For Conservation 

Data Provided in Environmental Review Reports & Program Related Web-links
 

Selected Web Links: 

Colorado Natural Heritage Program: CNHP is a leading source in the state for the 

biodiversity information that is essential for effective planning and successful 

conservation efforts. CNHP is a nonprofit organization, and is a sponsored program of 

the College of Natural Resources, Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology at 

Colorado State University. We are also a member of the Natural Heritage Network, an 

international network of partners that use the same scientific methodology to enable 

planners, scientists and policy-makers to monitor the status of species and natural 

communities from state, national, and global perspectives. 

http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/ - CNHP’s home page. See related links on our home 

page to products and services available such as environmental review, data requests, 

biological assessments, publications, and more. Staff contacts are available here as 

well. 

CSU: 

http://welcome.colostate.edu/ - We are an independent non-profit that is a sponsored 

program at Colorado State University, but other state natural heritage programs are 

often a part of state government. 

http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/ - The Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU, 

where CNHP is housed. 

NatureServe: NatureServe works in partnership with 85 independent Natural Heritage 

programs and Conservation Data Centers that gather scientific information on rare 

species and ecosystems in the United States, Latin America, and Canada (the Natural 

Heritage Network). 

http://www.natureserve.org/ - also see conservation information and data available on 

http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ - for detailed information on species and natural 

communities. 

http://www.landscope.org/ - the conservation guide to America’s natural places 

providing an online resource for the land-protection community and the public. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Review Report Attribute Definitions 

Attribute_Label: Highest EO Rank 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

The EO rank assigned to each occurrence represents a comparative 

evaluation summarizing several factors. These include quality (how closely 

the occurrence matches the EO specifications including maturity, size, 

numbers, etc.), condition (how much has the site and the element 

occurrence itself has been damaged or altered from its optimal condition and 

character), viability (the long-term prospects for continued existence of the 

occurrence), and defensibility (the extent to which the occurrence can be 

protected from anthropogenic factors that might otherwise degrade or 

destroy it). The rank is assigned on the basis of recent fieldwork by a 

knowledgeable individual. The best occurrence of an element in a state may 

bot necessarily be assigned an "A" rank. It may be assigned a lower rank if 

somewhere else in the element's global range, there are occurrences that 

merit a higher rank. Blank values indicate that the rank is under scientific 

review. 

Attribute_Domain_Values:
 

A - Excellent
 

B - Good
 

C - Fair
 

D - Poor
 

E - Extant (existence verified, but quality cannot be assessed)
 

F - Failed to find
 

H - Historical
 

I - Introduced
 

O - Obscure
 

X - Extirpated
 

*Split ranks indicate uncertainty about the assigned rank
 

Attribute_Label: Global Rank 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

The global element rank that best characterizes the relative rarity or 

endangerment of the element worldwide. Global ranks are derived primarily 

by staff at the Central Heritage Conservation Science Department, unless 

CNHP has lead responsibility for that element. 

Attribute_Domain_Values: 

G1 - Globally critically imperiled; typically 5 or fewer occurrences 

G2 - Globally imperiled; typically 6 to 20 occurrences 

G3 - Globally vulnerable; typically 21 to 100 occurrences 

G4 - Globally apparently secure; usually > 100 occurrences 

G5 - Globally demonstrably secure although it may be rare in parts of its range 

G#G# - A range between two of the numeric ranks; indicates uncertainty about 

the rarity of the element
 

G? - Unranked; element is not yet ranked globally
 

GU - Unrankable; not enough information is known
 

GH - Historically known with hopes of rediscovery
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GX - Extinct; unlikely to be rediscovered 

T# - Rank applies to a subspecies or variety 

Q - Taxonomic status is questionable 

C - Element is extant only in captivation or cultivation 

*Other factors, in addition to the number of occurrences, may be 

considered when assigning a global rank 

Attribute_Label: State Rank 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

The state element rank that best characterizes the relative rarity 

or endangerment of the element statewide. State ranks are derived by 

CNHP staff. 

Attribute_Domain_Values: 

S1 - State critically imperiled; typically 5 or fewer occurrences 

S2 - State imperiled; typically 6 to 20 occurrences 

S3 - State vulnerable; typically 21 to 100 occurrences 

S4 - State apparently secure; usually > 100 occurrences 

S5 - State demonstrably secure 

S#S# - A range between two of the numeric ranks; indicates 

uncertainty about the rarity of the element 

S? - Unranked; element is not yet ranked in the state 

SU - Unrankable; not enough information is known 

SH - Historically known with hopes of rediscovery 

SX - Extinct; unlikely to be rediscovered 

SE - An exotic established in the state; native to a nearby region 

SA - Accidental; includes species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded 

once or twice or only at very great intervals, hundreds or thousands 

of miles outside their usual range 

B - Rank refers to the breeding population of the element 

N - Rank refers to the nonbreeding population of the element 

C - Element is extant only in captivation or cultivation 

*Other factors, in addition to the number of occurrences, may be 

considered when assigning a state rank 

Attribute_Label: Fed Listed 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

The federal legal status of the species as assigned by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service. 

Attribute_Domain_Values: 

C - ESA candidate 

LE - Listed endangered 

LE-PDL - Listed endangered, proposed delisting 

LT - Listed threatened 

PT - Proposed threatened 

(PS) - Partial status; infraspecific taxon or population has federal status 

but the entire species does not - status in only a portion of the 

species' range 

(LE-XN) - Listed as endangered; a nonessential experimental population 

exists in Colorado 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Blank values indicate no federal legal status per USFWS 

Attribute_Label: Fed Sens 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

Denotes species considered sensitive by the U.S. Forest Service and/or the 

Bureau of Land Management (does NOT include ESA status). 

Attribute_Domain_Values: 

BLM - Legal status assigned by the Bureau of Land Management 

FS - Legal status assigned by the U.S. Forest Service 

FS/BLM - Legal status assigned by both the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau 

of Land Management
 

*Blank values indicate no federal legal status per BLM or USFS
 

Attribute_Label: State Listed 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

The state legal status of vertebrate or invertebrate species as assigned by the 

Colorado Division of Wildlife. 

Attribute_Domain_Values: 

E - State endangered; elements of native wildlife whose prospects for 

survival or recruitment within this state are in jeopardy 

T - State threatened; elements that are not in immediate jeopardy of 

extinction, but are vulnerable due to small numbers, restricted 

throughout its range, or experiencing low recruitment or survival 

SC- Special concern
 

*Blank values indicate no state legal status per CDOW
 

Attribute_Label: Precision 

Attribute_Label_Definition: 

Precision refers to the accuracy of the location of the element occurrence. CNHP 

compiles data from a variety of sources including published and unpublished 

literature, herbaria and museum labels, personal communication, and 

documentation of actual field surveys conducted by CNHP staff, Forest Service 

personnel, or other knowledgeable individuals. The level of spatial uncertainty, 

then, varies from occurrence to occurrence. 

Attribute_Domain_Values: 

S - Seconds precision; essentially an "X" marks the spot"; mapable to 

within approximately 3 arc seconds of latitude and longitude 

M - Minutes precision; mapable within approximately 2 square miles 

G - General precision; mapable within approximately two USGS 7.5 minute 

quadrangles 
 

Data Dictionary for 

Network of Conservation Areas 

Transcription Reports from the 

Colorado Natural Heritage Program 

This Data Dictionary defines terms used in Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) Reports 

exported by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) from our Biodiversity Tracking and 

Conservation System (BIOTICS) database. 

Introduction to Network of Conservation Areas

A Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) will fit one of the following definitions: 

A. A landscape area that encompasses Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) that share similar 

species or natural communities and ecological processes. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed 

areas that are within the same ecological system that the species or natural communities require. 

NCAs contain PCAs with an obvious repeating pattern (that is, the same species or natural 

communities are in each associated PCA). 

B. A mostly intact, lightly fragmented landscape that supports wide-ranging species and large scale 

disturbances. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed areas that demonstrate the connectivity of 

the landscape. NCAs contain PCAs that may occur at a variety of ecological scales. 

Potential Conservation Area

In order to successfully protect populations or occurrences, it is necessary to delineate 

conservation areas. These potential conservation areas focus on capturing the ecological

processes that are necessary to support the continued existence of a particular element of natural 

heritage significance. Potential conservation areas may incl

element or a suite of rare elements or significant features. 

ude a single occurrence of a rare 

The goal of the process is to identify a land area that can provide the habitat and ecological 

processes upon which a particular element or suite of elements depends for their continued 

existence. The best available knowledge of each species' life history is used in conjunction with

information about topographic, geomorphic, and hydrologic features, vegetative cover, as well as 

current and potential land uses. The proposed boundary does not automatically exclude all activity. 

It is hypothesized that some activities will cause degradation to the element or the process on 

which they depend, while others will not. Consideration of specific activities or land use changes 

proposed within or adjacent to the preliminary conservation planning boundary should be carefully 

considered and evaluated for their consequences to the element on which the conservation unit is 

based. 

Element Occurrence 

An Element Occurrence (EO) is defined as a specific example of an Element at a geographic 

location characterized by a habitat capable of sustaining or contributing to the survival of the 

species, or by a landscape that supports the ecological integrity of the community. 

Element 

A biodiversity unit of conservation attention and action for which a Heritage Conservation Status 

Rank is assigned. 

Elements may be recognized at any taxonomic level (although typically are only recognized at the 

species level and below for organisms, and the Ecological System, Alliance, and Association levels 

for communities). 

Elements may also be recognized for biodiversity units for which there is no systematic hierarchy 

(e.g., animal assemblages, community Complexes). 

Elements may be native or exotic at a particular location and collectively represent the full array of 

biological and ecological diversity for the geographic area covered. Elements may serve as the 

July 2005 1 
targets of Heritage inventory. Typically, these targets include native, regularly occurring vulnerable 

species (including infraspecific taxa and populations) and exemplary ecological communities. 

REPORT HEADER 

Name 

The official CNHP site name, usually corresponding to a local place name or nearby geographic 

feature. 

Site Code 

Unique identifier previously used in the BCD for a site record. 

IDENTIFIERS 

Site ID 

Unique identifier for a site. 

Site Class 

Value that indicates whether a site is a Potential Conservation Area (PCA) or Network of 

Conservation Areas (NCA). 

Domain values for Site Class are: 

PCA 

NCA 

Site Alias 

Other names commonly associated with the NCA. These can include informal names, old site 

names, names used by other offices or cooperating organizations, or the original survey site 

name. 

Site Relations 

Comments that explain the relationship between this site and any nested, overlapping, or 

adjacent sites. 

LOCATORS 

Nation 

State 

Latitude 

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds. Datum is NAD 27. Calculated in GIS. 

Longitude 

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds. Datum is NAD 27. Calculated in GIS. 

July 2005 2 
Quad Code 

Calculated in GIS. 

Quad Name 

Calculated in GIS. 

County 

Calculated in GIS. 

Watershed Code 

U.S.G.S. 8-digit hydrologic unit code. Calculated in GIS. 

Watershed Name 

U.S.G.S. watershed name. Calculated in GIS. 

Site Directions [provided with Level 1 data only] 

Specific directions to the site provided by the designer or version author. 

SITE DESCRIPTION 

Minimum Elevation 

Minimum elevation provided by the designer or version author. 

Maximum Elevation 

Maximum elevation provided by the designer or version author. 

Site Description 

General visual description (or word picture) of the principal physical and natural features on the 

site. 

Key Environmental Factors 

Description of the driving factors or key environmental variables that are known to exert a major 

influence on the biota at the site (e.g., seasonal flooding, wind, soil type). 

Climate Description 

General comments concerning climate and weather patterns, wind patterns, seasonal and annual 

variations, as well as temperature and precipitation patterns characteristic of the site. 

Land Use History 

Comments concerning past land uses on this site (such as mining, logging, shifting cultivation, 

etc.). 

Cultural Features 

Comments concerning any historic, cultural, or archaeological features found on the site (e.g., 

pictographs, petroglyphs, burial mounds, prehistoric artifacts). 

July 2005 3 
SITE DESIGN
 

Site Map 

Indicates whether a site boundary was field verified or drawn from desktop references. 

Domain values for Site Map are: 

P – partial; drawn from desktop references 

Y – field verified by CNHP personnel 

Mapped Date 

Date site boundary was last redrawn. 

Designer 

CNHP biologist responsible for drawing the site boundary. 

Boundary Justification 

Explanation of the biological rationale used to determine the ecological boundaries for the site. 

Primary Area 

Area of the NCA polygon. Calculated in GIS. 

OTHER/PROTECTION/MANAGEMENT RANKS 

Other Values Rank 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the significance of the site in terms of its 

aesthetic, recreational, open space, and other ecological values; this includes its role in 

maintaining ecosystem health (e.g., by providing game and wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge 

functions, erosion control). 

Domain values for Other Values are: 

V1 - Outstanding values 

V2 - High values 

V3 - Moderate values 

V4 - No known values 

V5 - Negative or counter values 

V? - Unknown 

(null) - Not assessed 

Other Values Comments 

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Other Values field. 

Protection Urgency Rank 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the urgency to protect the Site. The urgency for 

protection action (not to be confused with the urgency for management action) will generally 

increase with impending threats to the site until legal, political, or other administrative measures 

are taken. 

July 2005 4 
Domain values for Protection Urgency are: 

P1 - Immediately threatened/outstanding opportunity 

P2 - Threat/opportunity within 5 years 

P3 - Definable threat/opportunity, but not within 5 years 

P4 - No threat or special opportunity 

P5 - No action to be taken on this site 

P? - Unknown 

Protection Urgency Comments 

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Protection Urgency field. 

Management Urgency Rank 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the urgency to manage one or more Elements at 

the site. The urgency for management action (not to be confused with the urgency for legal 

protection action) requires stewardship intervention in order to maintain EOs at the site. 

Domain values for Management Urgency are: 

M1 - Essential within 1 year to prevent loss 

M2 - Essential within 5 years to prevent loss 

M3 - Needed within 5 years to maintain quality 

M4 - Not needed now; no current threats; may need in future 

M5 - Not needed; no threats anticipated 

 M? - Unknown 

Management Urgency Comments 

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Management Urgency field. 

LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES 

Land Use Comments 

Description of the current and past land use, improvements, and structures on the site. 

Natural Hazard Comments 

Description of the potential natural hazards (e.g., cliffs, caves, waterfalls) on the site, along with 

any precautions that should be taken by stewards. 

Exotics Comments 

Description of potentially damaging exotic (i.e., alien) flora and fauna (e.g., kudzu, honeysuckle, 

purple loosestrife, periwinkle, English ivy, feral goats, pigs) on the site. 

Offsite 

Description of off-site land uses (e.g., farming, logging, grazing, dumping, watershed diversion), 

and how these uses might affect the site and management of the site. 

July 2005 5 
 

 

 

Information Needs 

Summary of the information that is still needed in order to effectively manage the site. 

Management Needs 

Summary of the expected management needs for the site. 

Managed Area Relations 

Explanation of the site/Managed Area relationship, if a Managed Area has been (or will be) 

established to protect the site. 

Protection Comments 

Summary of the general level of protection currently afforded the site that indicates the current 

protection status of component Tracts. 

ASSOCIATED POTENTIAL CONSERVATION AREAS 

(PCAs known from the area of a given NCA.) 

Potential Conservation Area 

In order to successfully protect populations or occurrences, it is necessary to delineate 

conservation areas. These potential conservation areas focus on capturing the ecological processes 

that are necessary to support the continued existence of a particular element of natural heritage 

significance. Potential conservation areas may include a single occurrence of a rare element or a 

suite of rare elements or significant features. 

The goal of the process is to identify a land area that can provide the habitat and ecological 

processes upon which a particular element or suite of elements depends for their continued 

existence. The best available knowledge of each species' life history is used in conjunction with 

information about topographic, geomorphic, and hydrologic features, vegetative cover, as well as 

current and potential land uses. The proposed boundary does not automatically exclude all 

activity. It is hypothesized that some activities will cause degradation to the element or the 

process on which they depend, while others will not. Consideration of specific activities or land 

use changes proposed within or adjacent to the preliminary conservation planning boundary 

should be carefully considered and evaluated for their consequences to the element on which the 

conservation unit is based. 

PCA Site ID 

Unique identifier for the PCA associated with this NCA. 

PCA Site Name 

The official CNHP site name for the PCA associated with this NCA. 

PCA Biological Diversity Significance 

The Biodiversity Significance Rank of the PCA associated with this NCA. This value indicates 

the rating that best describes the significance of the PCA in terms of its biological diversity. 

Domain values for Biodiversity Significance are: 

B1: Outstanding Biodiversity Significance 

B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance 

B3: High Biodiversity Significance 

July 2005 6 
B4: Moderate Biodiversity Significance 

B5: General interest/open space 

REFERENCES 

Reference ID 

The identifier for a reference available for this NCA. 

Full Citation 

Formal citation for a reference associated with the NCA. 

ADDITIONAL TOPICS 

Additional Topics 

Specific comments on any significant additional nonstandard topics that have not been formally 

addressed by one of the standard fields in this record. 

VERSION 

Version Date 

Date report information for the NCA was last reviewed or updated. 

Version Author 

Author of the current version of the transcription in this report. 

July 2005 7 
Data Dictionary for 

Potential Conservation Area 

Transcription Reports from the 

Colorado Natural Heritage Program 

This Data Dictionary defines terms used in Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Reports exported 

by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) from our Biodiversity Tracking and 

Conservation System (BIOTICS) database. 

Introduction to Potential Conservation Areas 

In order to successfully protect populations or occurrences, it is necessary to delineate 

conservation areas. These potential conservation areas focus on capturing the ecological

processes that are necessary to support the continued existence of a particular element of natural 

heritage significance. Potential conservation areas may incl

element or a suite of rare elements or significant features. 

ude a single occurrence of a rare 

The goal of the process is to identify a land area that can provide the habitat and ecological 

processes upon which a particular element or suite of elements depends for their continued 

existence. The best available knowledge of each species' life history is used in conjunction with

information about topographic, geomorphic, and hydrologic features, vegetative cover, as well as 

current and potential land uses. The proposed boundary does not automatically exclude all activity. 

It is hypothesized that some activities will cause degradation to the element or the process on 

which they depend, while others will not. Consideration of specific activities or land use changes 

proposed within or adjacent to the preliminary conservation planning boundary should be carefully 

considered and evaluated for their consequences to the element on which the conservation unit is 

based. 

Element Occurrence 

An Element Occurrence (EO) is defined as a specific example of an Element at a geographic 

location characterized by a habitat capable of sustaining or contributing to the survival of the 

species, or by a landscape that supports the ecological integrity of the community. 

Element 

A biodiversity unit of conservation attention and action for which a Heritage Conservation Status 

Rank is assigned. 

Elements may be recognized at any taxonomic level (although typically are only recognized at the 

species level and below for organisms, and the Ecological System, Alliance, and Association levels 

for communities). 

Elements may also be recognized for biodiversity units for which there is no systematic hierarchy 

(e.g., animal assemblages, community Complexes). 

Elements may be native or exotic at a particular location and collectively represent the full array of 

biological and ecological diversity for the geographic area covered. Elements may serve as the 

targets of Heritage inventory. Typically, these targets include native, regularly occurring vulnerable 

species (including infraspecific taxa and populations) and exemplary ecological communities. 

REPORT HEADER 

Name 

The official CNHP site name, usually corresponding to a local place name or nearby geographic feature. 

Site Code 

Unique identifier previously used in the BCD for a site record. 

July 2005 1 
 

IDENTIFIERS
 

Site ID 

Unique identifier for a site. 

Site Class 

Value that indicates whether a site is a Potential Conservation Area (PCA) or Network of 

Conservation Areas (NCA). 

Domain values for Site Class are: 

PCA 

NCA 

Site Alias 

Other names commonly associated with the PCA. These can include informal names, old site 

names, names used by other offices or cooperating organizations, or the original survey site 

name. 

Network of Conservation Areas (NCA)

A Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) will fit one of the following definitions: 

A. A landscape area that encompasses Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) that share similar 

species or natural communities and ecological processes. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed 

areas that are within the same ecological system that the species or natural communities require. 

NCAs contain PCAs with an obvious repeating pattern (that is, the same species or natural 

communities are in each associated PCA). 

B. A mostly intact, lightly fragmented landscape that supports wide-ranging species and large scale 

disturbances. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed areas that demonstrate the connectivity of 

the landscape. NCAs contain PCAs that may occur at a variety of ecological scales. 

NCA Site ID 

Site ID of the NCA associated with this PCA. 

NCA Site Code 

Site code of the NCA associated with this PCA. 

NCA Site Name 

Official CNHP site name of the NCA associated with this PCA. 

Site Relations 

Comments that explain the relationship between this site and any nested, overlapping, or 

adjacent sites. 

LOCATORS 

Nation 

State 

July 2005 2 
Latitude 

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds. Datum is NAD 27. Calculated in GIS. 

Longitude 

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds. Datum in NAD 27. Calculated in GIS. 

USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle 

Calculated in GIS. 

Quad Code 

 Quad Name 

County 

Calculated in GIS. 

Watershed Code 

8 digit U.S.G.S. hydrological unit code. Calculated in GIS. 

Watershed Name 

U.S.G.S. watershed name. Calculated in GIS. 

Township/Range/Section (TRS) - Public Land Survey System 

Calculated in GIS. 

Township/Range 

Section 

Meridian 

 TRS Note 

Site Directions [provided with Level 1 data only] 

Specific directions to the site provided by the designer or version author. 

SITE DESCRIPTION 

Minimum Elevation 

Minimum elevation provided by the designer or version author. 

Maximum Elevation 

Maximum elevation provided by the designer or version author. 

Site Description 

General visual description (or word picture) of the principal physical and natural features on the 

site. 

Key Environmental Factors 

Description of the driving factors or key environmental variables that are known to exert a major 

influence on the biota at the site (e.g., seasonal flooding, wind, soil type). 

July 2005 3 
Climate Description 

General comments concerning climate and weather patterns, wind patterns, seasonal and annual 

variations, as well as temperature and precipitation patterns characteristic of the site. 

Land Use History 

Comments concerning past land uses on this site (such as mining, logging, shifting cultivation, 

etc.). 

Cultural Features 

Comments concerning any historic, cultural, or archaeological features found on the site (e.g., 

pictographs, petroglyphs, burial mounds, prehistoric artifacts). 

SITE DESIGN 

Site Map 

Indicates whether a site boundary was field verified or drawn from desktop references. 

Domain values for Site Map are: 

P – partial; drawn from desktop references 

Y – field verified by CNHP personnel 

Mapped Date 

Date site boundary was last redrawn. 

Designer 

CNHP biologist responsible for drawing the site boundary. 

Boundary Justification 

Explanation of the biological rationale used to determine the ecological boundaries for the site. 

Primary Area 

Area of PCA polygon. Calculated in GIS. 

SITE SIGNIFICANCE 

Biodiversity Significance Rank 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the significance of the site in terms of its 

biological diversity. 

Domain values for Biodiversity Significance are: 

B1: Outstanding Biodiversity Significance 

B2: Very high Biodiversity Significance 

B3: High Biodiversity Significance 

B4: Moderate Biodiversity Significance 

B5: General interest/open space 

 B?: Unknown 

July 2005 4 
Biodiversity Significance Comments 

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Biodiversity Significance field. 

Other Values Rank 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the significance of the site in terms of its 

aesthetic, recreational, open space, and other ecological values; this includes its role in 

maintaining ecosystem health (e.g., by providing game and wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge 

functions, erosion control). 

Domain values for Other Values are: 

V1 - Outstanding values 

V2 - High values 

V3 - Moderate values 

V4 - No known values 

V5 - Negative or counter values 

V? - Unknown 

(null) - Not assessed 

Other Values Comments 

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Other Values field. 

Protection Urgency Rank [provided with Level 1 data only] 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the urgency to protect the site. The urgency for 

protection action (not to be confused with the urgency for management action) will generally 

increase with impending threats to the site until legal, political, or other administrative measures 

are taken. 

Domain values for Protection Urgency are: 

P1 - Immediately threatened/outstanding opportunity 

P2 - Threat/opportunity within 5 years 

P3 - Definable threat/opportunity, but not within 5 years 

P4 - No threat or special opportunity 

P5 - No action to be taken on this site 

P? - Unknown 

Protection Urgency Comments [provided with Level 1 data only] 

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Protection Urgency field. 

Management Urgency Rank [provided with Level 1 data only] 

Value that indicates the rating that best describes the urgency to manage one or more Elements at 

the site. The urgency for management action (not to be confused with the urgency for legal 

protection action) requires stewardship intervention in order to maintain EOs at the site. 

July 2005 5 
July 2005 6 

Domain values for Management Urgency are: 

 M1 - Essential within 1 year to prevent loss 

 M2 - Essential within 5 years to prevent loss 

 M3 - Needed within 5 years to maintain quality 

 M4 - Not needed now; no current threats; may need in future 

 M5 - Not needed; no threats anticipated 

 M? - Unknown 

Management Urgency Comments [provided with Level 1 data only]

Comments that justify the rating assigned for the site in the Management Urgency field. 

LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Land Use Comments

Description of the current and past land use, improvements, and structures on the site. 

Natural Hazard Comments

Description of the potential natural hazards (e.g., cliffs, caves, waterfalls) on the site, along with 

any precautions that should be taken by stewards. 

Exotics Comments

Description of potentially damaging exotic (i.e., alien) flora and fauna (e.g., kudzu, honeysuckle, 

purple loosestrife, periwinkle, English ivy, feral goats, pigs) on the site. 

Offsite

Description of off-site land uses (e.g., farming, logging, grazing, dumping, watershed diversion), 

and how these uses might affect the site, Elements on the site, and management of the site. 

Information Needs

Summary of the information that is still needed in order to effectively manage the site and 

Elements on it. 

Management Needs [provided with Level 1 Data only]

Summary of the expected management needs for the site and the Elements on it. 

Managed Area Relations [provided with Level 1 Data only]

Explanation of the site/Managed Area relationship, if a Managed Area has been (or will be) 

established to protect the site. 

Protection Comments [provided with Level 1 Data only]

Summary of the general level of protection currently afforded the site that indicates the current 

protection status of component Tracts. 
July 2005 7 

ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS OF BIODIVERSITY

(Tracked Elements known from the area of a given PCA.) 

Element 

A biodiversity unit of conservation attention and action for which a Heritage Conservation Status 

Rank is assigned. 

Elements may be recognized at any taxonomic level (although typically are only recognized at the 

species level and below for organisms, and the Ecological System, Alliance, and Association 

levels for communities). 

Elements may also be recognized for biodiversity units for which there is no systematic hierarchy 

(e.g., animal assemblages, community Complexes). 

Elements may be native or exotic at a particular location and collectively represent the full array of 

biological and ecological diversity for the geographic area covered. Elements may serve as the 

targets of Heritage inventory. Typically, these targets include native, regularly occurring 

vulnerable species (including infraspecific taxa and populations) and exemplary ecological 

communities. 

Element State ID 

Unique state identifier for an Element. 

State Scientific Name

State scientific name for an Element having occurrences associated with this PCA. 

State Common Name

State common name for an Element having occurrences associated with this PCA. 

Global Rank 

The global element rank that best characterizes the relative rarity or endangerment of the element 

worldwide. Factors other than the number of occurrences may be considered when assigning a 

global rank. Global ranks are derived primarily by staff at the Central Heritage Conservation 

Science Department, unless CNHP has lead responsibility for that element. 

Domain values for Global Rank are: 

 G1 - Globally critically imperiled; typically 5 or fewer occurrences 

 G2 - Globally imperiled; typically 6 to 20 occurrences 

 G3 - Globally vulnerable; typically 21 to 100 occurrences 

 G4 - Globally apparently secure; usually > 100 occurrences 

 G5 - Globally demonstrably secure although it may be rare in parts of its range 

 G#G# - A range between two of the numeric ranks; indicates uncertainty about the rarity 

of the element 

 G? - Unranked; element is not yet ranked globally 

 GU - Unrankable; not enough information is known 

 GH - Historically known with hopes of rediscovery 

 GX - Extinct; unlikely to be rediscovered 

 T# - Rank applies to a subspecies or variety 

 Q - Taxonomic status is questionable 
July 2005 8 

 C - Element is extant only in captivation or cultivation 

 GNR - Not ranked globally 

State Rank 

The state element rank that best characterizes the relative rarity or endangerment of the element 

statewide. Factors other than the number of occurrences may be considered when assigning a 

state rank. State ranks are derived by CNHP staff. 

Domain values for State Rank are: 

 S1 - State critically imperiled; typically 5 or fewer occurrences 

 S2 - State imperiled; typically 6 to 20 occurrences 

 S3 - State vulnerable; typically 21 to 100 occurrences 

 S4 - State apparently secure; usually > 100 occurrences 

 S5 - State demonstrably secure 

 S#S# - A range between two of the numeric ranks; indicates uncertainty about the rarity 

of the element 

 S? - Unranked; element is not yet ranked in the state 

 SU - Unrankable; not enough information is known 

 SH - Historically known with hopes of rediscovery 

 SX - Extinct; unlikely to be rediscovered 

 SE - An exotic established in the state; native to a nearby region 

 SA - Accidental; includes species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded once or twice or 

only at very great intervals, hundreds or thousands of miles outside their usual range 

 B - Rank refers to the breeding population of the element 

 N - Rank refers to the nonbreeding population of the element 

 C - Element is extant only in captivation or cultivation 

 SNR – Not ranked in the state 

Driving Site Rank 

Yes or No, indicates whether this EO is the EO which is driving the biodiversity rank of this 

PCA. A combination of Global Imperilment Rank, State Imperilment Rank, and EO Rank 

factors determine if a given EO drives the biodiversity rank of a PCA that supports it. 

REFERENCES

Reference ID 

The identifier for a reference available for this PCA. 

Full Citation 

Formal citation for a reference associated with the PCA. 

ADDITIONAL TOPICS

Additional Topics 

Specific comments on any significant additional nonstandard topics that have not been formally 

addressed by one of the standard fields in this record. 
July 2005 9 

VERSION

Version Date 

Date report information for the PCA was last reviewed or updated. 

Version Author 

Author of the current version of the transcription in this report. 
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Coal Creek below Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP*27227

IDENTIFIERS

Site ID 2501 Site Class PCA

Site Alias None

Network of Conservation Areas (NCA)

NCA Site ID NCA Site Code NCA Site Name

 2527 S.USCOHP*27435 Rocky Flats Grasslands

Site Relations Shares a small portion of its northern boundary with Doudy Draw (S.USCOHP2*2605). 

Contained in Marshall Mesa (S.USCOHP*5663) and Rocky Flats Grassland 

(S.USCOHP*27435).

LOCATORS

Nation United States Latitude 395559N

State Colorado Longitude 1051214W

Quad Code Quad Name

39105-H2 Louisville

County

Watershed Code Watershed Name

10190005 St. Vrain

Township/Range Section Meridian Note

001S070W 27 6P

001S070W 26 6P

001S070W 23 6P

001S070W 35 6P

001S070W 34 6P

001S070W 25 6P

001S070W 33 6P

001S070W 24 6P

001S070W 28 6P

SITE DESCRIPTION

Minimum Elevation 5,500.00 Feet 1,676.40 Meters

Maximum Elevation 6,050.00 Feet 1,844.04 Meters

Site Description

This site is located in southeastern Boulder County, immediately north of the boundary with Jefferson County, 

southwest of the town of Superior. Coal Creek originates in the southwestern corner of Boulder County, near 

the town of Wondervu. It makes a southward loop into Jefferson County, emerging onto the Rocky Flats 

terrace, and then turning north to re-enter Boulder County at the northern edge of Rocky Flats. In southern 

Boulder County, Coal Creek runs through open grasslands below mesas. Historically, the floodplain was 

likely somewhat wide and meandering, but is now entrenched within low terraces. The creek itself is only 

10-20 ft. (3-6 m) across. Water levels are probably never very high in this creek, because there are numerous 

diversions along the creek. The riparian vegetation is between 164-410 ft. (50-125 m) across, including low 

shrubs on terraces above the creek. These vegetated terraces may be remnants of when the floodplain was 

wider, or they may be able to access groundwater recharging from the stream. Within the site, Coal Creek 

contains a long, continuous stretch of foothills riparian vegetation extending from near the Boulder/Jefferson 

county line downstream to the town of Superior. The riparian vegetation includes a continuous overstory of 

mature and regenerating cottonwood trees over dense tall shrubs. Both plains cottonwood ( Populus 

deltoides) and narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) contribute to the cottonwood overstory, and 

though the association name is Populus angustifolia / Salix irrorata woodland, this occurrence contains higher 

cover of plains cottonwood than narrowleaf cottonwood since it is located at a lower elevation than most 

occurrences. Dominant shrubs within the riparian channel include bluestem willow (Salix irrorata) and 

narrowleaf willow (Salix exigua), though upper terraces contain more cerro hawthorn (Crataegus 

erythropoda) and American plum (Prunus americana). Yellow hawthorn (Crataegus chrysocarpa) has been 

documented here as well. The surrounding dry grasslands are strongly dominated by non-native species.

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 1
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Coal Creek below Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP*27227

Key Environmental Factors

No Data

Climate Description

No Data

Land Use History

Historic land use includes grazing, gravel mining, and water diversions.

Cultural Features

No Data

SITE DESIGN

Site Map Y - Yes Mapped Date 06/03/2008

Designer Decker, K.L. and J.M. Lemly

Boundary Justification

The boundary includes the occurrences and a buffer against direct disturbance. The natural processes are 

not completely contained within the boundary, and off-site activities within the larger watershed have the 

potential to impact the elements of biodiversity present in the area.

Primary Area 1,504.47 Acres 608.84 Hectares

SITE SIGNIFICANCE

Biodiversity Significance Rank B3: High Biodiversity Significance

Biodiversity Significance Comments

This site supports a fair (C-ranked) occurrence of a globally imperiled (G2/S2) Populus angustifolia / Salix 

irrorata riparian woodland, two occurrences of the federally Threatened and globally imperiled (G5T2/S1) 

Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) in fair condition, and a fair to poor (CD-ranked) 

occurrence of the state imperiled (G5/S1B) Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Additionally, Boulder 

County has documented Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) nests and an occurrence of the state rare plant 

(G5/S2S3) fragrant indigobush (Amorpha nana), but these are not in the CNHP database at this time.

Other Values Rank No Data

Other Values Comments

No Data

LAND MANAGMENT ISSUES

Cattle grazed the area for decades and likely grazed right into the riparian corridor. In addition, there were 

gravel mining operations in the floodplain.

Land Use Comments

Natural Hazard Comments

No Data

Exotics Comments

The upland grasslands are strongly dominated by non-native hay grasses and invasive weeds e.g., Kentucky 

bluegrass (Poa pratensis), timothy (Phleum pratense), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), cheatgrass 

(Anisantha tectorum), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis), as well as 

the following non-native forbs: Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), and bull 

thistle (Cirsium vulgare), chicory (Cichoruim intybus), common mullein (Verbascum thaspus), common teasel 

(Dipsacus fullonum), cut-leaved teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), musk 

thistle (Carduus nutans), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), 

Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), and sulphur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta).

Offsite

No Data

Information Needs

No Data

ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS OF BIODIVERSITY

State Common Name

Global 

Rank

State 

Rank

Element

 State ID State Scientific Name

Driving 

Site Rank

 24827 Populus angustifolia / Salix irrorata Woodland Foothills Riparian Woodland G2 S2 Yes

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 2
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Coal Creek below Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP*27227

 21289 Zapus hudsonius preblei Meadow Jumping Mouse Subsp G5T2 S1 No

 21289 Zapus hudsonius preblei Meadow Jumping Mouse Subsp G5T2 S1 No

 21249 Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle G5 S1B,S3N No

REFERENCES

Reference ID Full Citation

 195190 Neid, S., J. Lemly, K. Decker and D. Culver. 2009. Final Report: Survey of Critical 

Biological Resources in Boulder County 2007-2008. Colorado Natural Heritage 

Program, Fort Collins, CO.

 ADDITIONAL TOPICS

No Data

Additional Topics

VERSION

Version Date 06/03/2008

Version Author Decker, K.L. and J.M. Lemly

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 3
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Doudy Draw Site Code S.USCOHP2*2605

IDENTIFIERS

Site ID 1552 Site Class PCA

Site Alias None

Network of Conservation Areas (NCA)

NCA Site ID NCA Site Code NCA Site Name

 - No Data

Site Relations Overlaps Marshall Mesa (S.USCOHP*5663) and Rocky Flats Grassland (S.USCOHP*27435) 

and shares a small portion of its boundary with Coal Creek below Rocky Flats 

(S.USCOHP*27227).

LOCATORS

Nation United States Latitude 395543N

State Colorado Longitude 1051456W

Quad Code Quad Name

39105-H2 Louisville

39105-H3 Eldorado Springs

County

Boulder (CO)

Jefferson (CO)

Watershed Code Watershed Name

10190005 St. Vrain

Township/Range Section Meridian Note

001S070W 29 6P

001S070W 31 6P

001S070W 30 6P

002S070W 06 6P

001S070W 32 6P

002S071W 01 6P

002S070W 05 6P

001S071W 36 6P

001S070W 28 6P

001S070W 33 6P

001S070W 27 6P

001S070W 21 6P

001S070W 22 6P

001S071W 25 6P

001S070W 20 6P

SITE DESCRIPTION

Minimum Elevation 5,640.00 Feet 1,719.00 Meters

Maximum Elevation 5,760.00 Feet 1,756.00 Meters

Site Description

The Doudy Draw site is located about 1 mile east of Eldorado Springs and is part of a large contiguous 

piedmont grassland. It supports important habitat for several rare species. This site is on the apron of alluvial 

and colluvial deposits below the Flatirons. It is characterized generally by southwest to northeast trending 

fingers of Quaternary alluvium that have ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) savanna. The savanna quickly 

grades into grassland habitat off the pediments. Perennial and intermittent drainages dissect the area, which 

is also traversed by the South Boulder Diversion Canal. Soils are mostly very cobbly sandy loam and terrace 

escarpments. The majority of the site is City of Boulder Open Space. The savanna has a relatively dense 

canopy, especially near the mountain front and the ditch. Young ponderosa pine trees generally range from 

10-14" dbh. There are sparse shrubs beneath the canopy. Skunkbush ( Rhus trilobata) and mountain 

mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) are most common. Herbaceous cover is variable depending on canopy 

cover. Grassland openings have needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), big bluestem (Andropogon 

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 4
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Doudy Draw Site Code S.USCOHP2*2605

gerardii), blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), and others. Forbs are frequent but 

diversity is relatively low. The grasslands below the savanna are on the mesa tops and intervening valleys. 

Grasses are diverse and include big bluestem and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) in a mosaic with 

needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), mountain muhly 

(Muhlenbergia montana), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) plant associations. Forb diversity is 

high with porter aster (Aster porteri), buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum), false goldenaster (Heterotheca 

villosa), small sunflower (Helianthus pumilus), and soapweed (Yucca glauca) being common. Shrubs like 

skunkbush, chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), American plum (Prunus americana), hawthorn (Crataegus 

erythropoda), and prickly rose (Rosa sayi), form inclusions or scattered copses in the grassland and on the 

edge of the savanna, often near seeps. Non-natives are prevalent, especially annuals like cheatgrass 

(Bromus tectorum) and alyssum (Alyssum parviflorum). Mesa tops are fairly unweedy except for early spring 

occurrences of Alyssum, and areas of dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica). Valley bottoms are somewhat 

weedy with smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cheatgrass, chicory (Cichorium intybus), and knapweed 

(Centaurea diffusa). This site contains habitat for northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens). It also provides nest 

sites and foraging area for Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), and 

Northern Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium gnoma). Bats use the site including fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes), and 

Townsend's big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii). A prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony is within the 

site.

Key Environmental Factors

Quaternary alluvium

Climate Description

Annual precipitation is 15-20 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 48-52 degrees F., and the frost-free 

season is about 140-155 days.

Land Use History

Doudy Draw had one of the original settlements of Boulder City before Colorado gained statehood. It was 

grazed and farmed for hay and wheat.

Cultural Features

No Data

SITE DESIGN

Site Map P - Partial Mapped Date 10/29/2008

Designer Neid, S.L.

Boundary Justification

Boundary is drawn to include occurrences and adjacent areas of suitable habitat within City of Boulder Open 

Space. Boundary will protect occurrences from direct surface disturbances. This site is part of a large 

contiguous grassland with similar processes.

Primary Area 3,663.43 Acres 1,482.54 Hectares

SITE SIGNIFICANCE

Biodiversity Significance Rank B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance

Biodiversity Significance Comments

The site supports a good (B-ranked) occurrence of the globally imperiled (G2/S1S2) Andropogon gerardii - 

Sporobolus heterolepis xeric tallgrass prairie, a good to fair (BC-ranked) occurrence of a globally critically 

imperiled (G1G2/S1S2) Hesperostipa comata Great Plains mixed grass prairie and a good (B-ranked) 

occurrence of the globally imperiled (G2/S2?) Pinus ponderosa / Cercocarpus montanus / Andropogon 

gerardii foothills ponderosa pine scrub woodland. Rare invertebrates include two good (B-ranked) 

occurrences of the globally vulnerable (G3/S2S3) mottled dusky wing (Erynnis martialis), a good (B-ranked) 

occurrence of the globally vulnerable (G3G4/S2) Ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe) and a good (B-ranked) 

occurrence of the globally vulnerable (G3/S2) Arogos skipper (Atrytone arogos). Rare plants include a poor 

(D-ranked) occurrence of the globally imperiled (G2G3/S2) and Federally Threatened Ute ladies' tresses 

(Spiranthes diluvialis), a good (B-ranked) occurrence of the state rare (G5/S2) prairie violet (Viola 

pedatifida) and extant occurrences of the state rare (G5/S1) Rocky Mountain sedge ( Carex saximontana), 

the state rare (G5/S2) frostweed (Crocanthemum bicknellii) and the state rare (G5/S2S3) dwarf wild indigo 

(Amorpha nana). Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (G5T2/S1) has been 

documented in poor condition, but is not contained in the boundary and not a target for this particular site.

Other Values Rank V1 - Outstanding values

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 5
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Doudy Draw Site Code S.USCOHP2*2605

Other Values Comments

Open space recreation including jogging, hiking, cycling, horseback riding is common. General wildlife habitat 

exists for bears, mountain lions, and especially birds. Observed many bird watchers in area during the 

summer months. Suitable for homesites. Many homesites are adjacent to open space boundaries and on 

South Boulder Creek.

LAND MANAGMENT ISSUES

No Data

Land Use Comments

Natural Hazard Comments

No Data

Exotics Comments

Non-native species include smooth brome (Bromus inermis), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Canada thistle 

(Cirsium arvense), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), myrtle spurge (Euphorbia 

myrsinites), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), diffuse knapweed 

(Centaurea diffusa), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), and St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum). 

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) occur in the drainage 

bottoms.

Offsite

Highway 170 (Eldorado Springs Rd) is to the north. Housing developments are to the northeast and 

southwest (along South Boulder Creek). An electrical substation is immediately adjacent to the west. 

Eldorado Springs State Park is to the west which receives a high volume of traffic during the summer months.

Information Needs

A 1984 field survey located a globally rare sedge, Carex oreocharis. More field work is needed to search for 

this plant.

ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS OF BIODIVERSITY

State Common Name

Global 

Rank

State 

Rank

Element

 State ID State Scientific Name

Driving 

Site Rank

 17998 Spiranthes diluvialis Ute ladies' tresses G2G3 S2 No

 18073 Viola pedatifida prairie violet G5 S2 No

 18073 Viola pedatifida prairie violet G5 S2 No

 19678 Erynnis martialis Mottled Dusky Wing G3 S2S3 No

 20956 Amorpha nana dwarf wild indigo G5 S2S3 No

Foothills Ponderosa Pine Scrub 

Woodlands

 24587 Pinus ponderosa / Cercocarpus montanus / G2 S2? Yes

Andropogon gerardii Wooded Herbaceous 

Vegetation

 24703 Hesperostipa comata Colorado Front Range Great Plains Mixed Grass Prairie G1G2 S1S2 Yes

Herbaceous Vegetation

 24483 Andropogon gerardii - Sporobolus heterolepis Xeric Tallgrass Prairie G2 S1S2 Yes

Western Foothills Herbaceous Vegetation

 22544 Carex saximontana Rocky Mountain sedge G5 S1 No

 19893 Hesperia ottoe Ottoe Skipper G3G4 S2 No

 19678 Erynnis martialis Mottled Dusky Wing G3 S2S3 No

 16895 Atrytone arogos Arogos Skipper G3 S2 No

 21235 Crocanthemum bicknellii frostweed G5 S2 No

 21725 Falco peregrinus anatum American Peregrine Falcon G4T4 S2B No

REFERENCES

Reference ID Full Citation

 195190 Neid, S., J. Lemly, K. Decker and D. Culver. 2009. Final Report: Survey of Critical 

Biological Resources in Boulder County 2007-2008. Colorado Natural Heritage 

Program, Fort Collins, CO.

 161922 Pineda, Phyllis M. 1996. Field Survey (Butterflies) to the City of Boulder Open Space 

and Mountain Parks, Larimer County and Cheesman Reservoir. Field Season 1996.

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 6
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Doudy Draw Site Code S.USCOHP2*2605

 ADDITIONAL TOPICS

Original site design by Pague, C.A. 1994-09-12.

Additional Topics

VERSION

Version Date 10/29/2008

Version Author Neid, S.L.

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 7
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Marshall Mesa Site Code S.USCOHP*5663

IDENTIFIERS

Site ID 730 Site Class PCA

Site Alias None

Network of Conservation Areas (NCA)

NCA Site ID NCA Site Code NCA Site Name

 2527 S.USCOHP*27435 Rocky Flats Grasslands

Site Relations Overlaps Coal Creek below Rocky Flats (S.USCOHP*27227) and Doudy Draw 

(S.USCOHP2*2605). Contained in Rocky Flats Grasslands (S.USCOHP*27435).

LOCATORS

Nation United States Latitude 395610N

State Colorado Longitude 1051156W

Quad Code Quad Name

39105-H2 Louisville

County

Watershed Code Watershed Name

10190005 St. Vrain

Township/Range Section Meridian Note

001S070W 22 6P

001S070W 21 6P

001S069W 30 6P

002S070W 02 6P

001S070W 36 6P

001S070W 34 6P

001S070W 26 6P

001S070W 24 6P

001S070W 28 6P

001S070W 13 6P

001S070W 15 6P

001S070W 14 6P

001S070W 33 6P

001S070W 23 6P

001S070W 25 6P

001S069W 31 6P

001S070W 35 6P

002S070W 01 6P

001S069W 19 6P

001S070W 27 6P

SITE DESCRIPTION

Minimum Elevation 5,600.00 Feet 1,707.00 Meters

Maximum Elevation 5,800.00 Feet 1,768.00 Meters

Site Description

The Marshall Mesa site is part of the large outwash plain of the foothills of the Colorado Front Range below 

Eldorado Mountain. It consists of large, rolling mesas and swales bisected by the Coal and Rock creek 

drainages--southwest to northeast trending tributaries of Boulder Creek. Bedrock geology of the mesa is 

Cretaceous shale (Laramie Formation) capped with a mosaic of Quaternary alluvium (Machette 1975, Malde 

1955). The surficial alluvium deposits are a mosaic of Rocky Flats, Verdos, and Slocum deposits interspersed 

with Piney Creek terrace deposits. All of the bedrock layers have differing proportions of calcium carbonate; 

the soils in the area tend to be enriched (Moreland and Moreland 1975). This site is strongly dominated by 

grassland systems. There are some relatively small patches of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) savanna 

on north-facing slopes on the north side. The savanna has a variable expression with some areas of 

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 8
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Marshall Mesa Site Code S.USCOHP*5663

scattered ponderosa pine and/or Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) and others supporting 

scrubby copses of skunkbush (Rhus trilobata), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), ceanothus 

(Ceanothus herbaceous, C. fendleri), and occasional shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa). The gravelly, 

well-drained soils of the mesa tops are covered with grassland mosaic dominated by mid- and tallgrass 

species. On the west end, the species composition is characterized by big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii), 

porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), sideoats grama 

(Bouteloua curtipendula), needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum 

smithii), purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea), junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), mountain muhly (Muhlenbergia 

montana), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and others. Forbs are very diverse and include 

soapweed (Yucca glauca), wavy-leaved thistle (Cirsium undulatum), scurfpea (Psoralea tenuiflora), 

blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus viridiflorus), prickly pear cactus (Opuntia

spp.), mariposa lily (Calochortus gunnisonii), fringed sage (Artemesia frigida), blazing star (Liatris punctata), 

and many others. Dwarf indigo (Amorpha nana) and slimleaf milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla) occur in the 

grasslands. Farther east along the mesas, the tallgrass species become much less common and the matrix 

grassland is characterized by needle-and-thread. Within this area are small patches of New Mexico 

feathergrass (Hesperostipa neomexicana) on north-facing slope crests. These grasslands support some of 

the highest concentrations of grassland nesting birds in the Piedmont; while more common elsewhere in the 

state, this site reflects a substantial eedge-of-range habitat for these species. Within the grassland are large 

prairie dog towns. These towns can be very weedy and dominated by bindweed ( Convolvulus arvensis). 

However, they also support burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia). This also supports northern leopard frog 

(Rana pipiens) and wavy-leaf stickleaf (Nuttallia sinuata). The portion of this site that overlaps with Doudy 

Draw historically contained ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe), crossline skipper (Polites origenes), Arogos 

skipper (Atrytone arogos), and dusted skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna).

Key Environmental Factors

Outwash mesa of Quaternary alluvium

Climate Description

Annual precipitation is 12 to 18 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 48-52 degrees F., and the frost-free 

season is about 140-155 days.

Land Use History

Grazing, coal mining.

Cultural Features

No Data

SITE DESIGN

Site Map Y - Yes Mapped Date 10/29/2008

Designer Neid, S.L.

Boundary Justification

Site includes extensive mesa tops, swales, and sideslope scrubby ponderosa pine savanna. The boundary 

was drawn to contain biodiversity occurrences with some buffer.

Primary Area 6,760.28 Acres 2,735.80 Hectares

SITE SIGNIFICANCE

Biodiversity Significance Rank B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance

Biodiversity Significance Comments

The site supports an excellent to good (AB-ranked) occurrence of the globally imperiled (G2?/S2) 

Andropogon gerardii - Schizachyrium scoparium xeric tallgrass prairie, a good and a good to fair 

(BC-ranked) occurrence of the globally vulnerable (G3/S3) Hesperostipa neomexicana Great Plains mixed 

grass prairie, a fair (C-ranked) occurrence of the state rare (G5/S2) prairie violet ( Viola pedatifida), a poor 

(D-ranked) occurrence of the state rare (G5/S2S3) dwarf wild indigo (Amorpha nana) and an extant 

occurrence of the state rare (G4/S3) black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus).

Other Values Rank No Data

Other Values Comments

No Data

LAND MANAGMENT ISSUES

No Data

Land Use Comments

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 9
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Marshall Mesa Site Code S.USCOHP*5663

Natural Hazard Comments

No Data

Exotics Comments

Weeds include diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), chicory (Cichorium 

intybus), teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops 

cylindrica), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), scotch thistle (Onopordium acanthium), sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla 

recta), and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis).

Offsite

Housing developments; industrial sites; Superfund waste site; Community and Davidson Ditches bisect 

property; highways define boundaries of the site.

Information Needs

No Data

ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS OF BIODIVERSITY

State Common Name

Global 

Rank

State 

Rank

Element

 State ID State Scientific Name

Driving 

Site Rank

 18073 Viola pedatifida prairie violet G5 S2 No

 22673 Hesperostipa neomexicana Herbaceous Great Plains Mixed Grass Prairie G3 S3 No

Vegetation

 22673 Hesperostipa neomexicana Herbaceous Great Plains Mixed Grass Prairie G3 S3 No

Vegetation

 17796 Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie Dog G4 S3 No

 24870 Andropogon gerardii - Schizachyrium scoparium Xeric Tallgrass Prairie G2? S2 Yes

Western Great Plains Herbaceous Vegetation

 20956 Amorpha nana dwarf wild indigo G5 S2S3 No

REFERENCES

Reference ID Full Citation

 198280 Machette, M.N. 1975. Geologic map of the Lafayette quadrangle, Adams, Boulder, 

and Jefferson counties, Colorado. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 

D.C.

 198281 Malde, H.E. 1955. Surficial geology of the Louisville quadrangle, Colorado. 

Geological Survey Bulletin 996-E. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 

D.C.

 198282 Moreland, D.C. and Moreland, R.E. 1975. Soils Survey of the Boulder County Area, 

Colorado. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in 

cooperation with the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station. Soil Conservation 

Service , Washington, D.C.

 195190 Neid, S., J. Lemly, K. Decker and D. Culver. 2009. Final Report: Survey of Critical 

Biological Resources in Boulder County 2007-2008. Colorado Natural Heritage 

Program, Fort Collins, CO.

 161922 Pineda, Phyllis M. 1996. Field Survey (Butterflies) to the City of Boulder Open Space 

and Mountain Parks, Larimer County and Cheesman Reservoir. Field Season 1996.

 ADDITIONAL TOPICS

Original site design by Pineda, P.M. 1996-09-23.

Additional Topics

VERSION

Version Date 10/31/2008

Version Author Neid, S.L.

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 10
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP2*2603

IDENTIFIERS

Site ID 515 Site Class PCA

Site Alias Rock Creek

Site Alias Woman Creek

Network of Conservation Areas (NCA)

NCA Site ID NCA Site Code NCA Site Name

 2527 S.USCOHP*27435 Rocky Flats Grasslands

Site Relations Contained in Rocky Flats Grasslands (S.USCOHP*27435).

LOCATORS

Nation United States Latitude 395315N

State Colorado Longitude 1051330W

Quad Code Quad Name

39105-H2 Louisville

39105-H3 Eldorado Springs

39105-G2 Golden

39105-G3 Ralston Buttes

County

Watershed Code Watershed Name

10190003 Middle South Platte-Cherry Creek

10190004 Clear

10190005 St. Vrain

Township/Range Section Meridian Note

001S070W 35 6P

002S070W 20 6P

002S070W 17 6P

002S070W 04 6P

002S070W 11 6P

002S070W 18 6P

002S070W 22 6P

002S070W 09 6P

002S070W 16 6P

002S070W 14 6P

002S070W 08 6P

002S070W 10 6P

002S070W 19 6P

002S070W 02 6P

002S070W 13 6P

002S070W 15 6P

002S070W 03 6P

002S070W 21 6P

SITE DESCRIPTION

Minimum Elevation 5,400.00 Feet 1,646.00 Meters

Maximum Elevation 6,120.00 Feet 1,865.00 Meters

Site Description

The Rocky Flats site occurs on the south and west portions of the Rocky Flats alluvial fan and, to some 

extent, down into the colluvial valleys that dissect it. Most of the site is located on the Rocky Flats 

Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), a former nuclear weapons manufacturing facility overseen by the 

U.S. Department of Energy. RFETS is listed on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The flora is similar to other alluvial 

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 11
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP2*2603

fans in the region, although many of these natural communities are becoming increasingly threatened by 

urban development. The fauna has been more highly impacted by regional extirpations of some high trophic 

level mammals, but still retains many common animals and some rarer ones. The site is bounded by Highway 

128 on the north, Coal Creek to the west, and the RFETS boundary to the south. The eastern boundary 

follows a rough line that follows the eastern watershed extent of Rock Creek, curves around to the west of the 

facility's industrial area, and runs southeast to include the wetland complexes of upper Woman Creek.

Key Environmental Factors

No Data

Climate Description

15 inches of precip. ann. Prone to high winds, sometimes reaching 80 MPH.

Land Use History

General public has been excluded from most of site for the last 20-40 years. Grazing and gravel mining have 

been ongoing.

Cultural Features

Some of the site is regulated by EPA and CDPHE under Superfund.

SITE DESIGN

Site Map P - Partial Mapped Date 12/05/1995

Designer Essington, K.D.

Boundary Justification

The boundaries include xeric tallgrass prairie, the Great Plains riparian community in Rock Creek, the 

Preble's meadow jumping mouse occurrence in Rock Creek and upper Woman Creek, and the invertebrate 

occurrences. The potential extent of xeric tallgrass prairie is documented by Western Aggregates, Inc. 

(1995) and, while fragmented by roads and gravel pits, is considered one occurrence by CNHP. It stretches 

from the northwest corner of the site south through section 16 and west for an uncertain distance across 

Highway 93. Field surveys and monitoring data indicate that the xeric tallgrass prairie community exists on 

the mesa tops in the southwest corner (section 15) of the RFETS Buffer Zone. Similar grasslands appear to 

extend beyond the study area, west of Highway 93, indicating that this community occurrence is part of a 

larger, even more viable system (Western Aggregates 1994). Therefore, CNHP has included this extension 

in the boundary. With the use of a Series 30 Lasico planimeter, CNHP has determined that the community is 

at least 2,500 acres. The boundary is also considered a "buffer area" for the rare invertebrates recorded. It is 

difficult to monitor the range of these animals but this "buffer area" should sufficiently protect their perceived 

needs by including adequate habitat size. It should be noted that the Rock Creek and Woman Creek 

watersheds are joined into one site. This is an atypical boundary determination by CNHP and is due to two 

factors. First, the xeric tallgrass prairie occurrence, equally covers both watersheds. Second, is the 

understanding that hydrologic inputs to Woman Creek are probably from shallow groundwater recharge in 

the pediments of sections 16 and 15, east of the sandstone hogback that runs north-south through the area 

(U.S. Department of Energy 1992, U.S. Department of Energy 1994d). Although the Woman Creek channel 

has been historically used for water conveyance to downstream users, and thereby contributing to flow 

patterns and possibly augmenting Preble's meadow jumping mouse habitat, this practice will not continue 

due to the construction of the Kinnear Pipeline (Hill pers. comm. 1995). It is critical that, in order to ensure 

natural surface water flow and continued viability of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse occurrence in 

Woman Creek, the groundwater recharge area be included.

Primary Area 4,981.82 Acres 2,016.08 Hectares

SITE SIGNIFICANCE

Biodiversity Significance Rank B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance

Biodiversity Significance Comments

This site supports a good (B-ranked) occurrence of a globally imperiled (G2?/S2) xeric tallgrass prairie 

(Andropogon gerardii - Schizachyrium scoparium) and a fair (C-ranked) occurrence of the globally imperiled 

(G5T2/S1) and federally Threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). Unique 

invertebrate occurrences include a fair (C-ranked) occurrence of the globally imperiled (G2G3/S2) hops 

feeding azure (Celastrina humulus), a fair (C-ranked) occurrence of the globally vulnerable (G3G4/S2) 

Ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe) and a fair (C-ranked) occurrence of the globally vulnerable (G3/S2) Arogos 

skipper (Atrytone arogos).

Other Values Rank No Data

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 12
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP2*2603

Other Values Comments

The Colorado Bird Observatory (CBO), recognizes several high priority species that use the site. These 

species include Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis), MacGillivray's 

Warbler (Opornis tolmiei), Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella brewerii), and several others (U.S. Department of 

Energy 1995a). Although many observations of these species appear to be casual, it should not be 

overlooked that the area could provide essential migratory stopover habitat for these and more common 

species. EG& G estimated breeding population density for Grasshopper Sparrows in the prairie community 

(as it occurs on RFETS) to be 0.65 birds/hectare, or roughly 120 birds (U.S. Department of Energy 1995c). 

This species is a further indicator of the special nature not only of the site in general, but the xeric tallgrass 

prairie in particular. A marginal occurrence (not tracked by CNHP) of a Great Plains riparian community 

occurs. It is characterized by a diverse mixture of plains cottonwood, peach- leaved willow, and coyote willow 

(Populus deltoides / Salix amygdaloides - Salix exigua) with an understory of various low shrubs such as 

leadplant (Amorpha fruticosa) and snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis). This community is rare and 

declining in its native conditions throughout the high plains of Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. Threats to 

this community type are primarily water development, use and management. However, exotic species, such 

as leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum elata) are increasing problems. Despite the 

generally xeric nature of the area, several wetlands occur, mostly in the upper Woman Creek drainage, but 

also on north aspect slopes in Rock Creek. These wetland occurrences are also not among the best 

examples of common associations in the state due to their relatively restricted size. They don't rank as high 

priorities for their Natural Heritage values with respect to plant associations. This view is bolstered by 

recognition that the seep sites in upper Woman Creek may be enhanced by anthropogenic water 

impoundments (i.e. Rocky Flats Lake) to the west (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1994). The wetlands do, 

however, potentially serve other important functions and values, as do wetlands everywhere. Perhaps most 

important, we do not yet understand how wetland mosaics present support local populations of Preble's 

meadow jumping mouse. These wetlands may also retain nutrients, sediment, and metals in the water, 

provide food chain support both within the basin and downstream, and provide forage, cover, and nesting 

habitat for wildlife (Mitch and Gosselink 1994). The hillside seeps in Rock Creek support a unique tall 

shrubland complex (Kettler et al. 1994). Dominated by hawthorn (Crataegus erythropoda), chokecherry 

(Prunus virginiana), and some western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), CNHP has tentatively 

classified it as Crataegus erythropoda - Prunus virginiana - Symphoricarpos occidentalis plant association. An 

additional unusual shrub community occurs within Rock Creek, and to some extent in Woman Creek. It is 

dominated by leadplant (Amorpha fruticosa). It occurs in floodplains of the stream channels, laterally 

upgradient from the Great Plains riparian community. Like the Great Plains riparian community, it is believed 

that this shrubland has been highly impacted by water management and exotic species intrusion, but 

historical records and trends are lacking.

LAND MANAGMENT ISSUES

No Data

Land Use Comments

Natural Hazard Comments

No Data

Exotics Comments

No Data

Offsite

As part of a larger, landscape-level, open space contingent, it is likely that the site is an important contributor 

to healthy predator-prey relationships. The size, current isolation, and relatively high quality of the area 

supports potentially viable population of numerous species that are typical of the natural communities at 

RFETS. This supports biodiversity at the landscape level by preventing biogeographic (or island) effects 

prevalent in many natural areas (Macarthur and Wilson 1967). This is likely to be important to some common 

species, but particularly so for more motile and rare species.

Information Needs

The undocumented nature of Carex oreocharis in Colorado suggests to CNHP that its occurrence in the site 

should be protected and studied further. A wider search designed to confirm or deny other occurrences 

throughout its range may be in order. Invertebrate Management Recommendations: Studies have shown that 

the Colorado Piedmont is one of the country's four most important ecoregions for the conservation of the 

diversity of butterflies (Opler 1994). Butterflies can be easily monitored and may be good indicators of 

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 13
Potential Conservation Area (PCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Site Code S.USCOHP2*2603

environmental changes. This is especially true for imperiled species, or those associated with rare habitats. 

To this end, CNHP encourages the Department of Energy to conduct additional studies of the species 

identified in this report and for other rare species known from the general area that were not confirmed. These 

unconfirmed elements include the rare Ottoe skipper, a globally vulnerable species recorded in xeric tallgrass 

prairie 3 miles southwest of the study area.

ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS OF BIODIVERSITY

State Common Name

Global 

Rank

State 

Rank

Element

 State ID State Scientific Name

Driving 

Site Rank

 19893 Hesperia ottoe Ottoe Skipper G3G4 S2 No

 20146 Celastrina humulus Hops Feeding Azure G2G3 S2 No

 23792 Aristida basiramea forktip three-awn G5 S1 No

 16895 Atrytone arogos Arogos Skipper G3 S2 No

 21289 Zapus hudsonius preblei Meadow Jumping Mouse Subsp G5T2 S1 No

 24870 Andropogon gerardii - Schizachyrium scoparium Xeric Tallgrass Prairie G2? S2 Yes

Western Great Plains Herbaceous Vegetation

 21289 Zapus hudsonius preblei Meadow Jumping Mouse Subsp G5T2 S1 No

REFERENCES

Reference ID Full Citation

 - No Data

 ADDITIONAL TOPICS

No Data

Additional Topics

VERSION

Version Date 12/05/1995

Version Author Essington, K.D.

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 14
Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Grasslands Site Code S.USCOHP*27435

IDENTIFIERS

Site ID 2527 Site Class NCA

Site Alias None

Site Relations This site is designated as a Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) because it delineates a 

relatively intact landscape containing many smaller sites that are interrelated. It shares similar 

ecological processes with Coal Creek at Rocky Flats (S.USCOHP*7762), Coal Creek below 

Rocky Flats (S.USCOHP*27227), Marshall Mesa (S.USCOHP*5663), Rocky Flats 

(S.USCOHP2*2603) and Walnut Creek (S.USCOHP4*2453). Overlaps Doudy Draw 

(S.USCOHP2*2605).

LOCATORS

Nation United States Latitude 395437N

State Colorado Longitude 1051301W

Quad Code Quad Name

39105-G2 Golden

39105-G3 Ralston Buttes

39105-H3 Eldorado Springs

39105-H2 Louisville

County

Watershed Code Watershed Name

10190003 Middle South Platte-Cherry Creek

10190005 St. Vrain

10190004 Clear

Site Directions

This Network of Conservation Area is bounded to the west by the Front Range foothills and to the east by 

County Road 17 south of Superior. It is bounded on the north side by Route 170 and Highway 36 in Boulder 

County and it extends just south of Highway 72 in Jefferson County.

SITE DESCRIPTION

Minimum Elevation 5,610.00 Feet 1,709.93 Meters

Maximum Elevation 6,890.00 Feet 2,100.07 Meters

Site Description

This Network of Conservation Area incorporates part of the large outwash plain against the foothills of the 

Colorado Front Range. It consists of large, rolling mesas and swales. Bedrock geology of the area is 

Cretaceous shale (Laramie Formation and Pierre shale) capped with a mosaic of Quaternary alluvium (a 

mosaic of Rocky Flats, Verdos, Slocum, and Louviers deposits interspersed with Piney Creek terrace 

deposits). The gravelly, well-drained soils of the mesa tops are covered with grassland mosaic dominated by 

mid- and tallgrass species. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is the hallmark species, but the grassland has 

a remarkable diversity of grasses like porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus 

heterolepis), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), mountain 

muhly (Muhlenbergia montana), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and others. Forbs are likewise 

very diverse with many prairie relict species. The grassland expression correlates with different Quaternary 

alluvium layers, with many stable communities that have persisted for millennia. Stream networks that drain 

the area are a mix of ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial creeks. Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and 

willow (Salix spp.) occur along perennial drainages. Wet meadows and swales occur in ephemeral drainages 

with little to no surface flow.

Key Environmental Factors

Quaternary alluvium layers including Rocky Flat, Louviers, Slocum, Verdos, Piney Creek, post-Piney Creek.

Climate Description

No Data

Land Use History

No Data

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 1
Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Grasslands Site Code S.USCOHP*27435

Cultural Features

No Data

SITE DESIGN

Site Map P - Partial Mapped Date 11/14/2008

Designer Neid, S.L.

Boundary Justification

The Network of Conservation Area (NCA) boundary includes all known targeted occurrences and the natural 

processes that support them. It incorporates a large area of outwash plain in the Colorado Piedmont against 

the Front Range foothills. The older surfaces of Nussbaum and Rocky Flats transition to younger Verdos, 

Louviers, and Slocum, and then to recent alluvium progressing from west to east. The boundary is large 

enough to support grazing and prescribed fire regimes that could maintain the full spectrum of Piedmont 

grassland expressions.

Primary Area 20,844.41 Acres 8,435.47 Hectares

Other Values Rank No Data

OTHER/PROTECTION/MANAGEMENT RANKS

Other Values Comments

No Data

Protection Urgency Rank P?: Unknown

Protection Urgency Comments

This NCA has significant area of private lands. Other significant owners include the federal government 

(Rocky Flats), City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, and the Colorado State Land Board.

Management Urgency Rank M?: Unknown

Management Urgency Comments

Maintaining large, contiguous blocks of native grassland will continue to support the unique grassland 

biodiversity that occurs. Grazing and fire are management tools for maintaining the pattern of tall- and 

midgrass mosaic and support the bird biodiversity within the area.

LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES

No Data

Land Use Comments

Natural Hazard Comments

No Data

Exotics Comments

No Data

Offsite

No Data

Information Needs

No Data

Management Needs

No Data

Managed Area Relations

No Data

Protection Comments

No Data

ASSOCIATED POTENTIAL CONSERVATION AREAS (PCA)

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 2
Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) Report

Name Rocky Flats Grasslands Site Code S.USCOHP*27435

PCA Site ID PCA Site Name PCA Biological Diversity Significance

 730 Marshall Mesa B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance

 515 Rocky Flats B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance

 2501 Coal Creek below Rocky Flats B3: High Biodiversity Significance

 1595 Coal Creek at Rocky Flats B3: High Biodiversity Significance

 1034 Walnut Creek B5: General Biodiversity Interest

REFERENCES

Reference ID Full Citation

 195190 Neid, S., J. Lemly, K. Decker and D. Culver. 2009. Final Report: Survey of Critical 

Biological Resources in Boulder County 2007-2008. Colorado Natural Heritage 

Program, Fort Collins, CO.

 ADDITIONAL TOPICS

No Data

Additional Topics

VERSION

Lead Responsibility CNHP-Ecology Team

Version Date 11/14/2008

Version Author Neid, S.L.

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

Print Date 7/23/2010 3
Knowledge to Go Places 

July 23, 2010 

Jenny Gerson 

Ecologist 

Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC 

An Ecology & Environment company 

4888 Pearl East Circle, Ste. 108 

Boulder, CO 80301-2475 

Dear Jenny: 

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is in receipt of your request for information regarding 

National Wind Technology Center. In response, I have searched our Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation 

System (BIOTICS) for natural heritage elements (occurrences of significant natural communities and rare, 

threatened or endangered plants and animals) documented from the vicinity of the area specified in your 

request, specifically within a two-mile radius of the site National Wind Technology Center boundary shapefile 

Walsh Environmental provided to CNHP for the purposes of this request. 

The enclosed report describes natural heritage resources known from this area and gives location (by 

Township, Range, and Section), precision information, and the date of last observation of the element at that 

location. This report includes elements known to occur within the specified project site, as well as elements 

known from similar landscapes near the site. Please note that “precision” reflects the resolution of original 

data. For example, an herbarium record from “4 miles east of Colorado Springs” provides much less spatial 

information than a topographic map showing the exact location of the occurrence. “Precision” codes of 

Seconds, Minutes, and General are defined in the footer of the enclosed report. 

The report also outlines the status of known elements. We have included status according to Natural Heritage 

Program methodology and legal status under state and federal statutes. Natural Heritage ranks are 

standardized across the Heritage Program network, and are assigned for global and state levels of rarity. They 

range from “1” for critically imperiled or extremely rare elements, to “5” for those that are demonstrably 

secure. 

You may notice that some occurrences do not have sections listed. Those species have been designated as 

“sensitive” due to their rarity and threats by human activity. Peregrine falcons, for example, are susceptible to 

human breeders removing falcon eggs from their nests. For these species, CNHP does not normally provide 

location information beyond township and range. Please contact us should you require more detailed 

information for sensitive occurrences. 

There are multiple CNHP designated Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) and one Network of Conservation 

Areas (NCA) located within your project area (see enclosed PCA/NCA site reports and shapefiles). In order to 

successfully protect populations or occurrences, it is necessary to delineate conservation areas. These 

conservation areas focus on capturing the ecological processes that are necessary to support the continued 

existence of a particular element of natural heritage significance. Conservation areas may include a single 

occurrence of a rare element or a suite of rare elements or significant features. 
The goal of the process is to identify a land area that can provide the habitat and ecological processes upon 

which a particular element or suite of elements depends for their continued existence. The best available 

knowledge of each species' life history is used in conjunction with information about topographic, geomorphic, 

and hydrologic features, vegetative cover, as well as current and potential land uses. The proposed boundary 

does not automatically exclude all activity. It is hypothesized that some activities will cause degradation to the 

element or the process on which they depend, while others will not. Consideration of specific activities or land 

use changes proposed within or adjacent to the preliminary conservation planning boundary should be 

carefully considered and evaluated for their consequences to the element on which the conservation unit is 

based. 

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has legal authority over wildlife in the state. CDOW would therefore be 

responsible for the evaluation of and final decisions regarding any potential effects a proposed project may 

have on wildlife. If you would like more specific information regarding these or other vertebrate species in the 

vicinity of the area of interest, please contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife. 

The information contained herein represents the results of a search of Colorado Natural Heritage Program's 

(CNHP) Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation System (BIOTICS), and can be used as notice to anticipate 

possible impacts or identify areas of interest. Care should be taken in interpreting these data. Sensitive 

elements are currently known from within the proposed project area, and additional, but undocumented, 

elements may also exist (see enclosed report). Please note that the absence of data for a particular area, 

species, or habitat does not necessarily mean that these natural heritage resources do not occur on or adjacent 

to the project site, rather that our files do not currently contain information to document their presence. CNHP 

information should not replace field studies necessary for more localized planning efforts, especially if impacts 

to wildlife habitat are possible. 

Although every attempt is made to provide the most current and precise information possible, please be aware 

that some of our sources provide a higher level of accuracy than others, and some interpretation may be 

required. CNHP's data system is constantly updated and revised. Please contact CNHP for an update or 

assistance with interpretation of this natural heritage information. 

The data contained in the report is the product and property of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program 

(CNHP), a sponsored program at Colorado State University (CSU). The data contained herein are provided on 

an as is, as available basis without warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, including (but not limited to) 

warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. CNHP, CSU and the 

state of Colorado further expressly disclaim any warranty that the data are error free or current as of the date 

supplied. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Menefee 

Environmental Review Coordinator 

Enc. 
23 July 2010

Locations and Status of Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural Communities known from or likely to occur within a 

two-mile radius of NREL’s National Wind Technology Center

Report generated:

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

EO_ID major group scientific name common name Prec last obs Sec TRS Note grank srank ESA fed stat

Town/

Range st stat

eorank

Birds Buteo regalis Ferruginous Hawk G 1993-05-17 G4 S3B,S4

N

7,691 001S070W 27 BLM SC

USFS

-

Birds Buteo regalis Ferruginous Hawk G 1984-06-01 G4 S3B,S4

N

5,064 001S070W 16 H SC

001S070W 21

BLM

USFS

-

Birds Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus

Bald Eagle S 2006-99-99 G5 S1B,S3

N

14,339 001S070W CD - USFS ST

12,811 Birds Melanerpes lewis Lewis's Woodpecker G 1987-05-29 001S070W 31 G4 S4 H

001S070W 32

001S071W 35

001S071W 36

002S070W 05

002S070W 06

002S070W 07

002S070W 08

002S070W 17

002S070W 18

002S071W 01

002S071W 02

002S071W 10

002S071W 11

002S071W 12

002S071W 13

002S071W 14

002S071W 15

- USFS

9,919 Insects Atrytone arogos Arogos Skipper S 1998-07-27 002S070W G3 S2 B -

Insects Callophrys mossii 

schryveri

9,766 Moss's Elfin M 1970-05-03 001S070W 30 G4T3 S2S3 H -

926 Insects Celastrina humulus Hops Feeding Azure S 1995-06-26 002S070W 03 G2G3 S2 C

002S070W 04

-

9,207 Insects Erynnis martialis Mottled Dusky Wing S 2008-07-01 001S070W 29 G3 S2S3 B

001S070W 30

001S071W 36

-

page 1

precision codes: S = "seconds", location known within 100m; M = "minutes", location known within 1 mile; G = "general", location known within 5 miles
23 July 2010

Locations and Status of Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural Communities known from or likely to occur within a 

two-mile radius of NREL’s National Wind Technology Center

Report generated:

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

EO_ID major group scientific name common name Prec last obs Sec TRS Note grank srank ESA fed stat

Town/

Range st stat

eorank

10,930 Insects Hesperia ottoe Ottoe Skipper G 1973-07-10 001S070W G3G4 S2 H - USFS

3,184 Insects Hesperia ottoe Ottoe Skipper S 1998-07-27 002S070W G3G4 S2 B - USFS

10,594 Insects Hesperia ottoe Ottoe Skipper G 1961-07-07 001S070W G3G4 S2 H - USFS

1,091 Insects Polites origenes Cross-line Skipper G 1972-07-04 002S070W 20 G5 S3 H -

5,015 Insects Polites origenes Cross-line Skipper G 1975-07-11 002S071W 10 G5 S3 H -

4,500 Insects Speyeria idalia Regal Fritillary S 1998-07-13 002S070W G3 S1 E

002S070W

- USFS

Mammals Cynomys 

ludovicianus

Black-tailed Prairie 

Dog

14,279 S 2006-99-99 001S070W 13 G4 S3 E SC

001S070W 14

001S070W 23

001S070W 24

001S070W 25

001S070W 26

001S070W 35

001S070W 36

002S070W 01

002S070W 02

- USFS

Mammals Zapus hudsonius 

preblei

Meadow Jumping 

Mouse Subsp

10,872 S 1994-09-21 001S070W G5T2 S1 B ST

002S070W

002S070W

LT

Mammals Zapus hudsonius 

preblei

Meadow Jumping 

Mouse Subsp

7,665 S 1993-07-27 002S070W G5T2 S1 D ST

002S070W

LT

Mammals Zapus hudsonius 

preblei

Meadow Jumping 

Mouse Subsp

7,466 S 1997-10-01 002S070W G5T2 S1 B ST

002S070W

LT

Mammals Zapus hudsonius 

preblei

Meadow Jumping 

Mouse Subsp

1,724 S 1997-08-12 001S070W G5T2 S1 C ST

002S070W

LT

Mammals Zapus hudsonius 

preblei

Meadow Jumping 

Mouse Subsp

6,898 S 1993-08-11 002S070W G5T2 S1 C ST

002S070W

002S070W

LT

page 2

precision codes: S = "seconds", location known within 100m; M = "minutes", location known within 1 mile; G = "general", location known within 5 miles
23 July 2010

Locations and Status of Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural Communities known from or likely to occur within a 

two-mile radius of NREL’s National Wind Technology Center

Report generated:

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

EO_ID major group scientific name common name Prec last obs Sec TRS Note grank srank ESA fed stat

Town/

Range st stat

eorank

002S070W

Mammals Zapus hudsonius 

preblei

Meadow Jumping 

Mouse Subsp

3,406 S 1998-99-99 001S070W G5T2 S1 D ST

001S070W

LT

Natural 

Communities

Andropogon gerardii 

- Schizachyrium 

scoparium Western 

Great Plains 

Herbaceous 

Vegetation

8,353 Xeric Tallgrass Prairie S 1994-09-01 002S070W 03 G2? S2 B

002S070W 04

002S070W 08

002S070W 09

002S070W 10

002S070W 15

002S070W 16

002S070W 17

002S070W 18

002S070W 19

002S070W 20

002S070W 21

-

Natural 

Communities

Andropogon gerardii 

- Schizachyrium 

scoparium Western 

Great Plains 

Herbaceous 

Vegetation

14,297 Xeric Tallgrass Prairie S 2007-08-28 001S070W 27 G2? S2 AB

001S070W 28

001S070W 33

001S070W 34

-

Natural 

Communities

Andropogon gerardii 

- Sporobolus 

heterolepis Western 

Foothills Herbaceous 

Vegetation

14,272 Xeric Tallgrass Prairie S 2007-07-20 001S070W 21 G2 S1S2 B

001S070W 22

001S070W 27

001S070W 28

001S070W 29

001S070W 31

001S070W 32

001S070W 33

-

Natural 

Communities

Andropogon gerardii 

- Sporobolus 

heterolepis Western 

Foothills Herbaceous 

Vegetation

1,262 Xeric Tallgrass Prairie S 1998-09-16 002S070W 07 G2 S1S2 B -

page 3

precision codes: S = "seconds", location known within 100m; M = "minutes", location known within 1 mile; G = "general", location known within 5 miles
23 July 2010

Locations and Status of Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural Communities known from or likely to occur within a 

two-mile radius of NREL’s National Wind Technology Center

Report generated:

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

EO_ID major group scientific name common name Prec last obs Sec TRS Note grank srank ESA fed stat

Town/

Range st stat

eorank

Natural 

Communities

Hesperostipa comata 

Colorado Front Range 

Herbaceous 

Vegetation

Great Plains Mixed 

Grass Prairie

14,280 S 2007-07-20 001S070W 30 G1G2 S1S2 BC

001S070W 31

001S070W 32

-

Natural 

Communities

Hesperostipa 

neomexicana 

Herbaceous 

Vegetation

Great Plains Mixed 

Grass Prairie

14,257 S 2007-07-02 001S070W 35 G3 S3 B

001S070W 36

-

Natural 

Communities

Pinus ponderosa / 

Cercocarpus 

montanus / 

Andropogon gerardii 

Wooded Herbaceous 

Vegetation

Foothills Ponderosa 

Pine Scrub 

Woodlands

14,262 S 2007-07-20 001S070W 31 G2 S2? B -

Natural 

Communities

Populus angustifolia / 

Salix irrorata 

Woodland

Foothills Riparian 

Woodland

12,596 S 2007-09-06 001S070W 23 G2 S2 C

001S070W 24

001S070W 26

001S070W 27

001S070W 33

001S070W 34

-

Vascular 

Plants

9,884 Amorpha nana dwarf wild indigo S 1993-09-14 001S070W 31 G5 S2S3 -

Vascular 

Plants

8,757 Amorpha nana dwarf wild indigo S 1998-07-01 002S070W 07 G5 S2S3 C -

Vascular 

Plants

1,460 Amorpha nana dwarf wild indigo S 2000-08-17 001S070W 27 G5 S2S3 D -

Vascular 

Plants

1,230 Aristida basiramea forktip three-awn S 1994-09-01 002S070W 09 G5 S1 E

002S070W 10

002S070W 15

002S070W 16

-

Vascular 

Plants

14,223 Carex oreocharis a sedge S 1984-06-09 001S070W 29 G3 S1 H

001S070W 32

-

Vascular 

Plants

Carex saximontana Rocky Mountain 

sedge

14,237 S 2007-07-20 001S070W 31 G5 S1 E -

page 4

precision codes: S = "seconds", location known within 100m; M = "minutes", location known within 1 mile; G = "general", location known within 5 miles
23 July 2010

Locations and Status of Rare and/or Imperiled Species and Natural Communities known from or likely to occur within a 

two-mile radius of NREL’s National Wind Technology Center

Report generated:

Copyright © 2010. Colorado State University. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. All Rights Reserved.

EO_ID major group scientific name common name Prec last obs Sec TRS Note grank srank ESA fed stat

Town/

Range st stat

eorank

Vascular 

Plants

Crataegus 

chrysocarpa

14,220 yellow hawthorn M 1986-09-05 001S070W 28 G5 S1 H

001S070W 33

-

Vascular 

Plants

Crocanthemum 

bicknellii

13,584 frostweed S 1997-08-28 001S070W 31 G5 S2 E -

Vascular 

Plants

7,042 Liatris ligulistylis gay-feather G 9999-08-11 001S071W 12 G5? S1S2 H -

Vascular 

Plants

13,554 Nuttallia sinuata wavy-leaf stickleaf S 1993-07-09 001S070W 31 G3 S2 E -

Vascular 

Plants

7,102 Spiranthes diluvialis Ute ladies' tresses S 2006-99-99 001S070W G2G3 S2 D LT

Vascular 

Plants

3,213 Viola pedatifida prairie violet M 1948-04-29 001S070W 21 G5 S2 H -

Vascular 

Plants

3,964 Viola pedatifida prairie violet S 1993-05-27 001S070W 31 G5 S2 B

002S070W 06

-

page 5

precision codes: S = "seconds", location known within 100m; M = "minutes", location known within 1 mile; G = "general", location known within 5 miles
APPENDIX B

Plant Community Species List Tables
Legend to classification codes: 

Origin:

Refers to origin of species N Native to the Front Range area I Introduced or exotic species Species:

Refers to blooming/production season for grass species C cold season (spring/early summer) W warm season (mid to late summer) Life Form:

Refers to life form/strategy of species AF annual forb BF biennial forb PF perennial forb AG annual grass/graminoid (includes rushes and sedges) PG perennial grass/graminoid (includes rushes and sedges) SU succulent SS subshrub S shrub T tree V vine 
Table 1. Xeric Mixed Grassland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Asclepias pumila Plains milkweed Aclepiadaceae - Milkweed Family N NA Yucca glauca Yucca Agavaceae - Agave Family N NA Allium textile Wild onion Alliaceae – Onion Family N NA Eremogone fendleri Desert sandwort Alsinaceae – Chickweed Family N NA Paronychia jamesii James’ nailwort Alsinaceae – Chickweed Family N NA Amaranthus retroflexus Redroot pigweed Amaranthaceae – Amaranth Family I NA Rhus aromatica var. trilobata Skunkbrush Anacardiaceae – Sumac Family N NA Harbouria trachypleura Whisk broom parsley Apiaceae – Parsley Family N NA Lomatium orientale Lomatium Apiaceae – Parsley Family N NA Apocynum cannabinum Indian hemp Apocynaceae – Dogbane Family N NA Asclepias speciosa Showy milkweed Asclepiadaceae – Milkweed Family N NA Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly everlasting Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Antennaria rosea Pussytoes Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Arnica fulgens Arnica Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia campestris Field sagewort Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia frigida Fringed sagebrush Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia ludoviciana Prairie sagewort Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster ericoides White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster porteri White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Breea arvensis Circium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA Brickellia eupatorioides Brickellia Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Carduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Chrysothamnus nauseosus Rubber rabbitbrush Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Cichorium intybus Chicory Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cirsium undulatum Wavyleaf thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Conyza canadensis Horseweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Erigeron divergens Spreading fleabane Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Gaillardia aristata Blanketflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom snakeweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus petiolaris Prairie sunflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus rigidus Stiff sunflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Liatris punctata Dotted gayfeather Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Oligosporus dracunculus Artemisia dracunculus Wild tarragon Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA 
Table 1. Xeric Mixed Grassland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Ratibida columnifera Prairie coneflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Senecio crassulus Butterweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Senecio integerrimus Groundsel Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Senecio spartioides Groundsel Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago missouriensis Prairie goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago mollis Soft goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago nana Goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Taraxacum officinale Common dandelion Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Townsendia hookeri Easter daisy Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Tragopogon dubius Goatsbeard Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae - Borage Family I NA Lithospermum incisum Narrowleaf gromwell Boraginaceae - Borage Family N NA Oreocarya virgata Cryptantha virgata Miner's candle Boraginaceae - Borage Family N NA Alyssum alyssoides Pale alyssum Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Cardaria draba Whitetop Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Erysimum capitatum Western wallflower Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Lesquerella ludoviciana Bladderpod Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Sisymbrium altissimum Tumbling mustard Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Coryphantha missouriensis Yellow pincushion Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Echinocereus viridiflorus Hen-and-chicks Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Opuntia fragilis Brittle cactus Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Opuntia macrorhiza Plains prickly pear Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Calochortus gunnisonii Mariposa lily Calochortaceae - Mariposa Family N NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family N NA Bassia sieversiana Kochia scoparia Kochia Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Chenopodium album Common lambsquarters Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Kochia scoparia Bassia sieversiana Summer cypress Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae - Morning Glory Family I NA Carex brevior Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex filifolia Thread-leafed sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Tithymalus brachyceras Spurge Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family N NA Ephorbia esula Leafy spurge Euphobiaceae – Spurge Family I NA Tithymalus montanus Spurge Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family N NA Astragalus crassicarpus Groundplum milkvetch Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Astragalus mollissimus Wooly locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Astragalus sp. Locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Dalea purpurea Petalostemon purpurea Purple prairie clover Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Lupinus argenteus Silver lupine Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA 
Table 1. Xeric Mixed Grassland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Melilotus albus White sweetclover Fabaceae – Pea Family I NA Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Oxytropis lambertii Lambert locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Psoralidium tenuiflora Slimflower scurfpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Thermopsis rhombifolia Prairie goldenpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Pneumonanthe affinis Gentiana affinis Bottle gentian Gentianaceae - Gentian Family N NA Erodium cicutarium Filaree Geraniaceae - Geranium Family I NA Delphinium nuttallianum Blue larkspur Helleboraceae - Hellebore Family N NA Phacelia heterophylla Phacelia hastata var. 

leucophylla 

Scorpioweed Hydrophyllaceae - Waterleaf Family N NA 

Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort family I NA Iris missouriensis Wild iris Iridaceae - Iris Family N NA Juncus sp. Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Leucocrinum montanum Sand lily Liliaceae - Lily Family N NA Linum lewisii Perennial flax Linaceaea - Flax Family N NA Sphaeralcea coccinea Scarlet globemallow Malvaceae - Mallow Family N NA Toxicoscordion venenosum Zigadenus venenosus Death camass Melanthiaceae - False Hellbore Family N NA Calylophus serrulatus Shrubby evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Gaura coccinea Scarlet gaura Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oenothera howardii Oenothera 

brachycarpa 

Evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA 

Oenothera villosa Common evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Aphyllon fasciculatum Orobanche 

fasciculata 

Broomrape Orobanchaceae - Broomrape Family N NA 

Oxalis dillenii Woodsorrel Oxalidaceae - Woodsorrel Family N NA Argemone polyanthemos Prickly poppy Papaveracae - Poppy Family N NA Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Pinaceae - Pine Family N NA Plantago lanceolata English plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family I NA Agropyron cristatum Crested wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Agrostis scabra Ticklegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Aristida purpurea Aristida purpurea var. robusta Red three-awn Poaceae - Grass Family N W Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama Poaceae - Grass Family N W Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Buchloë dactyloides Buffalograss Poaceae - Grass Family N W Chondrosum gracile Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama Poaceae - Grass Family N W Dactylis glomerata Orchard grass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elymus trachycaulus Agropyron caninum ssp. majus Slender wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C 
Table 1. Xeric Mixed Grassland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Lophopyrum elongatum Agropyron elongatum Tall wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Muhlenbergia montana Mountain muhly Poaceae - Grass Family N W Oryzopsis hymenoides Indian ricegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Panicum capillare Witchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Pleum pratense Common timothy Poaceae – Grass Family I C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa secunda Poa canbyi Canby bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W 

Sorghastrum nutans Indian-grass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Sporobolus cryptandrus Sand dropseed Poaceae - Grass Family N W Stipa comata Needle-and-thread Poaceae - Grass Family N C Stipa viridula Green needlegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Ipomopsis spicata Ipomopsis Polemoniaceae - Phlox Family N NA Eriogonum alatum Winged eriogonum Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Eriogonum sp. Wild buckwheat Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Eriogonum umbellatum Wild buckwheat Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Pterogonum alatum Erigeron alatum Winged buckwheat Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Rumex crispus Curly dock Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Talinum parviflorum Prairie fameflower Portulacaceae - Purslane Family N NA Crataegus erythropoda Hawthorn Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla hippiana Wooly cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla recta Sulfur cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family I NA Rosa sayi Rosa acicularis Prickly wild rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa woodsii Woods rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Commandra umbellata Bastard-toadflax Santalaceae - Sandelwood Family N NA Castilleja sessiliflora Downy paintbrush Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Linaria genistifolia subsp. dalmatica Linaria dalmatica Dalmatian toadflax Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Penstemon virgatus Penstemon Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Verbascum blattaria Moth mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Verbena bracteata Prostrate verbena Verbebaceae - Verbena Family N NA Viola nuttallii Yellow prairie violet Violaceae - Violet Family N NA 
Table 2. Mesic Mixed Grassland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season Lif

For

Allium textile Wild onion Alliaceae - Onion Family N NA PAcosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA BF/Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA PArtemisia ludoviciana Prairie sagewort Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA PAster porteri White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA PBreea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA PCarduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA BCirsium undulatum Wavyleaf thistle Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA BGaillardia aristata Blanketflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA PLactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA BLiatris punctata Dotted gayfeather Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA PRatibida columnifera Prairie coneflower Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA PTragopogon dubius Salsify Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA BLithospermum arvense Corn gromwell Boraginaceae - Borage Family I NA ALesquerella ludoviciana Bladderpod Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA PThlaspi arvense Fanweed Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA AConvolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae - Morning Glory Family I NA PEleocharis palustris Spike-rush Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA PG Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA BPsoralidium tenuiflora Slimflower scurfpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA PPneumonanthe affinis Gentiana affinis Bottle gentian Gentianaceae - Gentian Family N NA PPhaceelia heterophylla Phacelia hastata var. leucophylla Scorpionweed Hydrophyllaceae – Waterleaf Famiy N NA PHypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort Family I NA PAgrostis gigantea Agrostis alba Redtop Poaceae - Grass Family I C PG Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W PG Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama Poaceae - Grass Family N W PG Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C PG Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C PG Muhlenbergia montana Mountain muhly Poaceae - Grass Family N W PG Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W PG Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C PG Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C PG Poa fendleriana Muttongrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C PG Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C PG Polypogon monspeliensis 

Rabbitfoot grass Poaceae - Grass Family I W AG 

Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius 

Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W PG 

Sorghastrum nutans Indian-grass Poaceae - Grass Family N W PG Ranunculus sp. Buttercup Ranunculaceae - Buttercup Family N NA P
Table 2. Mesic Mixed Grassland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season Lif

For

Geum aleppicum Avens Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA PRosa sayi Rosa acicularis Prickly wild rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA S Commandra umbellata Bastard-toadflax Santalaceae - Sandelwood Family N NA PVerbascum thapsis Common mullein Scropulariaceae – Figwort Family I NA BVeronica peregrina Purslane speedwell Scropulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA ATypha latifolia Common cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA P
Table 3. Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Yucca glauca Yucca Agavaceae - Agave Family N NA Allium textile Wild onion Alliaceae - Onion Family N NA Cerastrium strictum Mouse-ear Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Eremogone fendleri Desert sandwort Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Eremogone hookeri Arenaria hookeri Desert sandwort Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Paronychia jamesii James' nailwort Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Rhus aromatica var. trilobata Skunkbrush Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family N NA Toxicodendron rydbergii Poison ivy Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family N NA Harbouria trachypleura Whisk broom parsley Apiaceae - Parsley Family N NA Apocynum cannabinum Indian hemp Apocynaceae - Dogbane Family N NA Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Antennaria rosea Pussytoes Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia ludoviciana Prairie sagewort Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster ericoides White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Brickellia eupatorioides Brickellia Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Breea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cirsium undulatum Wavyleaf thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia revoluta Gumweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom snakeweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Heterotheca villosa Chrysopsis villosa Hairy golden aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Liatris punctata Dotted gayfeather Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Oligosporus dracunculus 

Artemisia dracunculus 

Wild tarragon Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA 

Senecio crassulus Butterweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Senecio spartioides Groundsel Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago mollis Soft goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Taraxacum officinale Common dandelion Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae - Borage Family I NA Lithospermum incisum Narrowleaf gromwell Boraginaceae - Borage Family N NA Alyssum alyssoides Pale alyssum Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Erysimum capitatum Western wallflower Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Coryphantha vivipara var. vivipara Nipple cactus Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Echinocereus viridiflorus 

Hen-and-chicks Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA 

Opuntia macrorhiza Plains prickly pear Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA 
Table 3. Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Opuntia polyacantha Plains prickly pear Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Campanula rotundifolia Common harebell Campanulaceae - Bellflower Family N NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae – Honeysuckle Family N NA Townsendia hookeri Easter daisy Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family N NA Chenopodium album Common lambsquarters Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae - Morning Glory Family I NA Carex brevior Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex filifolia Thread-leafed sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex sp. Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Astragalus mollissimus Wooly locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Dalea purpurea Petalostemon purpurea Purple prairie clover Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Lupinus argenteus Silver lupine Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Oxytropis lambertii Lambert locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Psoralidium tenuiflora Slimflower scurfpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Thermopsis rhombifolia Prairie goldenpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Frasera speciosa Monument plant Gentianaceae - Gentian Family N NA Pneumonanthe affinis Gentiana affinis Bottle gentian Gentianaceae - Gentian Family N NA Geranium caespitosum Wild geranium Geraniaceae - Geranium Family N NA Geranium viscosissimum 

Sticky geranium Geraniaceae - Geranium Family N NA 

Ribes aureum Golden current Grossulariaceae - Current Family N NA Ribes cereum Wax current Grossulariaceae - Current Family N NA Delphinium nuttallianum Blue larkspur Helleboraceae - Hellebore Family N NA Phacelia heterophylla Phacelia hastata Scorpioweed Hydrophyllaceae - Waterleaf Family N NA Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort family I NA Monarda fistulosa Bee balm Lamiaceae - Mint Family N NA Leucocrinum montanum Sand lily Liliaceae - Lily Family N NA Calylophus serrulatus Shrubby eveningprimrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oenothera coronopifolia Combleaf evening- primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oxalis dillenii Woodsorrel Oxalidaceae - Woodsorrel Family N NA Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Pinaceae - Pine Family N NA Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir Pinaceae – Pine Family N NA Agropyron cristatum Crested wheatgrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Agrostis scabra Ticklegrass Poaceae – Grass Family N C Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae – Grass Family N W Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C 
Table 3. Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Aristida purpurea Three-awn Poaceae – Grass Family N W Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama Poaceae – Grass Family N W Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Chondrosum gracile Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama Poaceae – Grass Family N W Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elymus elymoides Sitanion hystrix Bottletail squirreltail Poaceae - Grass Family N C Hesperostipa comata Stipa comata Needle-and-thread Poaceae - Grass Family N C Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Muhlenbergia 10ontana Mountain muhly Poaceae – Grass Family N W Nassella viridula Stipa viridula Green needlegrass Poaceae – Grass Family N C Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W 

Pulsatilla patens Anemone patens Pasque flower Ranunculaceae - Buttercup Family N NA Amelanchier utahensis Serviceberry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Cerasus pumila subsp. besseyi 

Prunus pumila var.

bessyi 

Sand cherry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA 

Crataegus erythropoda Hawthorn Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Drymocallis fissa Potentilla fissa Cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Oreobatus deliciosus Rubus deliciousus Boulder raspberry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Padus virginiana Prunus virginiana Chokecherry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla hippiana Wooly cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla ovina Potentilla Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla recta Sulfur cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family I NA Rosa arkansana Prairie rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa woodsii Woods rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Galium aparine Catchweed bedstraw Rubiaceae - Madder Family I NA Galium septentrionale Northern bedstraw Rubiaceae - Madder Family N NA Commandra umbellata Bastard-toadflax Santalaceae - Sandelwood Family N NA Penstemon secundiflorus 

Penstemon Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA 

Penstemon virgatus Penstemon Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Verbascum blattaria Moth mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Viola nuttallii Yellow prairie violet Violaceae - Violet Family N NA 
Table 4. Upland Shrubland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Cerastrium strictum Mouse-ear Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Eremogone fendleri Desert sandwort Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Paronychia jamesii James' nailwort Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Rhus aromatica var. trilobata Skunkbrush Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family N NA Toxicodendron rydbergii Poison ivy Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family N NA Lomatium orientale Lomatium Apiaceae - Parsley Family N NA Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Antennaria rosea Pussytoes Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia frigida Fringed sagebrush Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia ludoviciana Prairie sagewort Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster porteri White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Carduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA Cirsium undulatum Wavyleaf thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Gallardia aristata Blanketflower Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom snakeweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus rigidus Stiff sunflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Heterotheca villosa Chrysopsis villosa Hairy golden aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Liatris punctata Dotted gayfeather Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Oligosporus dracunculus Artemisia dracunculus Wild tarragon Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Senecio crassulus Butterweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago missouriensis Prairie goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago mollis Soft goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago speciosa var.

pallida Goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA 

Tragopogon dubius Goatsbeard Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae - Borage Family I NA Alyssum sp. Alyssum Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Erysimum capitatum Western wallflower Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Sisymbrium altissimum Tumbling mustard Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Echinocereus viridiflorus Hen-and-chicks Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Opuntia polyacantha Plains prickly pear Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Campanula rotundifolia Common harebell Campanulaceae – Bellflower Family N NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family N NA Bassia sieversiana Kochia scoparia Kochia Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Carex brevior Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA 
Table 4. Upland Shrubland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Carex filifolia Thread-leafed sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge Euphobiaceae – Spurge Family I NA Dalea purpurea Petalostemon purpurea Purple prairie clover Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Oxytropis lambertii Lambert locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Psoralidium tenuiflora Slimflower scurfpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Thermopsis divaricarpa Prairie goldenpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Pneumonanthe affinis Gentiana affinis Bottle gentian Gentianaceae - Gentian Family N NA Ribes cereum Wax current Grossulariaceae - Current Family N NA Delphinium nuttallianum Blue larkspur Helleboraceae - Hellebore Family N NA Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort family I NA Leucocrinum montanum Sand lily Liliaceae - Lily Family N NA Linum lewisii Perennial flax Linaceaea - Flax Family N NA Calylophus serrulatus Shrubby evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Pinaceae – Pine Family N NA Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama Poaceae – Grass Family N W Chondrosum gracile Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama Poaceae - Grass Family N W Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elymus elymoides Sitonion hystrix Bottlebrush squirreltail Poaceae – Grass Family N C Hesperostipa comata Stipa comata Needle-and-thread Poaceae - Grass Family N C Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Muhlenbergia montana Mountain muhly Poaceae - Grass Family N W Nassella viridula Stipa viridula Green needlegrass Poaceae – Grass Family Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa pratense Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W 

Sorghastrum nutans Indian-grass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Eriogonum umbellatum Wild buckwheat Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Pterogonum alatum Erigeron alatum Winged buckwheat Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Amelanchier utahensis Serviceberry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Cerasus pumila subsp. besseyi 

Prunus pumila var. bessyi Sand cherry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA 

Crataegus erythropoda Hawthorn Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Padus virginiana Prunus virginiana Chokecherry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla ovina Potentilla Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla recta Sulfur cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family I NA 
Table 4. Upland Shrubland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Prunus americana Wild plum Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa arkansana Prairie rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa woodsii Woods rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Commandra umbellata Bastard-toadflax Santalaceae - Sandelwood Family N NA Castilleja sessiliflora Downy paintbrush Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Linerea genestifolia subsp. dalmatica Linerea dalmatica Dalmatian toadflax Scrophulariaceae – Figwort Family I NA Penstemon secundiflorus Penstemon Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Penstemon virgatus Penstemon Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA 
Table 5. Palustrine Emergent Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Breea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cardamine breweri Bittercress Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Neolepia campestre Lepidium campestre Fieldcress Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family N NA Carex nebrascensis Nebraska sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Eleocharis palustris Spike-rush Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Scirpus pallidus Bulrush Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Juncus arcticus Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus balticus Baltic rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus effusus Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus longistylis Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus tenuis Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus torreyi Torrey's rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Marrubium vulgare Horehound Lamiaceae - Mint Family I NA Mentha arvensis Fieldmint Lamiaceae - Mint Family N NA Epilobium cilatum Willow herb Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oenothera villosa Common evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae - Grass Family N C Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Polypogon monspeliensis Rabbitfoot grass Poaceae - Grass Family I W Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W 

Geum aleppicum Yellow avens Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Padus virginiana subsp. 

melanocarpa Prunus virginiana Chokecherry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA 

Galium aparine Catchweed bedstraw Rubiaceae - Madder Family I NA Populus angustifolia Narrowleaf cottonwood Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Salix amygdaloides Peach-leaf willow Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Salix exigua Sandbar willow Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Veronica peregrina Purslane speedwell Scropulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Typha latifolia Common cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA 
Table 6. Riparian Fringe Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season L

Lomatium orientale Lomatium Apiaceae - Parsley Family N NA Asclepias speciosa Showy milkweed Asclepiadaceae - Milkweed Family N NA Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Ambrosia trifida Giant ragweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA Arnica fulgens Arnica Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia ludoviciana Populus deltoides Prairie sagewort Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster ericoides White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Breea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Brickellia eupatorioides Brickellia Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Carduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cichorium intybus Chicory Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Conyza canadensis Horseweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Erigeron divergens Spreading fleabane Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Gaillardia aristata Blanketflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Heterotheca villosa Chrysopsis villosa Hairy golden aster Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Liatris punctata Dotted gayfeather Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Ratibida columnifera Prairie coneflower Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Senecio crassulus Butterweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Senecio integerrimus Grounsel Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago missouriensis Prairie goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Tragopogon dubius Goatsbeard Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae - Borage Family I NA Nasturtium officinale Watercress Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Alyssum minus Alyssum Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Neolepia campestre Lepidium campestre Fieldcress Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Noccaea montana Wild candytuft Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Rorippa sinuata Spreading yellowcress Brassicaceae - Mustard Family N NA Sisymbrium altissimum Tall tumblemustard Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Thlaspi arvense Field pennycress (Fanweed) Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Opuntia macrorhiza Plains prickly pear Cactaceae - Cactus Family N NA Campanula rotundifolia Common harebell Campanulaceae - Bellflower Family N NA Lobelia siphilitica Blue cardinal flower Campanulaceae - Bellflower Family N NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family N NA Saponaria officinalis Bouncing Bet Caryophyllaceae - Pink Family I NA 
Table 6. Riparian Fringe Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season L

Bassia sieversiana Kochia scoparia Kochia Chenopodiaceae – Goosefoot Family I NA Chenopodium album Common lambsquarters Chenopodiaceae – Goodefoot Family I NA Tradescantia occidentalis 

Spiderwort Commelinaceae - Spiderwort Family N NA 

Maianthemum stellatum Smilacina stellata False solomon's seal Convallariaceae - Mayflower Family N NA Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae - Morning Glory Family I NA Carex hystricina Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex languinosa Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex nebrascensis Nebraska sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex utriculata Carex rostrata Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Eleocharis palustris Spike-rush Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Dalea purpurea Petalostemon purpurea Purple prairie clover Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Lupinus argenteus Silver lupine Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Medicago sativa Alfalfa Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Psoralidium tenuiflora Slimflower scurfpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Thermopsis rhombifolia Prairie goldenpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Ribes aureum Golden current Grossulariaceae - Current Family N NA Phacelia heterophylla Phacelia hastata Scorpionweed Hydrophyllaceae - Waterleaf Family N NA Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort family I NA Iris missouriensis Wild iris Iridaceae - Iris Family N NA Juncus nodosus Knotted rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Carex simulata Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus articulates Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus balticus Baltic rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus bufonius Toad rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus effusus Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus ensifolius Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus longistylis Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus sp. Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Marrubium vulgare Horehound Lamiaceae - Mint Family I NA Mentha arvensis Fieldmint Lamiaceae - Mint Family N NA Monarda fistulosa Bee balm Lamiaceae - Mint Family N NA Nepeta cataria Catnip Lamiaceae - Mint Family I NA Lemna turionifera Duckweed Lemnaceae - Duckweed Family N NA Calylophus serrulatus Shrubby evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Epilobium cilatum Willow herb Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA 
Table 6. Riparian Fringe Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season L

Gaura parviflora Smallflower gaura Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oenothera villosa Common evening- primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oxalis dillenii Woodsorrel Oxalidaceae - Woodsorrel Family N NA Argemone polyanthemos Prickly poppy Papaveracae - Poppy Family N NA Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Pinaceae - Pine Family N NA Plantago lanceolata English plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family I NA Plantago major Common plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family I NA Agropyron cristatum Crested wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Agrostis gigantea Agrostis alba Redtop Poaceae - Grass Family I C Agrostis scabra Ticklegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Buchloë dactyloides Buffalograss Poaceae - Grass Family N W Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae - Grass Family N C Dactylis glomerata Orchard grass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Danthonia spicata Poverty oatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elymus trachycaulus Agropyron caninum Slender wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Festuca pratensis Meadow fescue Poaceae - Grass Family I C Glyceria grandis Tall mannagrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Glyceria striata Fowl mannagrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Hesperostipa comata Stipa comata Needle-and-thread Poaceae - Grass Family N C Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae – Grass Family N C Lophopyrum elongatum Agropyron elongatum Tall wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Muhlenbergia filiformis Pull-up muhly Poaceae - Grass Family N W Muhlenbergia montana Mountain muhly Poaceae - Grass Family N W Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye Poaceae - Grass Family N C Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Phleum pratense Common Timothy Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa fendleriana Muttongrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W 

Sorghastrum nutans Indian-grass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Spartina pectinata Prairie cordgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Sporobolus airoides Alkaline sacatone Poaceae - Grass Family N W Sporobolus cryptandrus Sand dropseed Poaceae - Grass Family N W 
Table 6. Riparian Fringe Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season L

Rumex crispus Curly dock Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family N NA Clematis ligusticifolia Virgin's bower Ranunculaceae - Buttercup Family N NA Agrimonia striata Agripmony Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Geum macrophyllum Large-leaved avens Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Padus virginiana Prunus virginiana Chokecherry Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla hippiana Wooly cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Potentilla recta Sulfur cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family I NA Rosa sayi Rosa acicularis Prickly wild rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Galium aparine Catchweed bedstraw Rubiaceae - Madder Family I NA Populus deltoides Plains cottonwood Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Salix alba var. vitellina Golden osier Salicaceae - Willow Family I NA Salix amygdaloides Peach-leaf willow Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Salix exigua Sandbar willow Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Salix fragilis Crack willow Salicaceae - Willow Family I NA Verbascum blattaria Moth mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Mimulus glabratus Monkeflower Scropulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Veronica peregrina Purslane speedwell Scropulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA Typha latifolia Common cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA 
Table 7. Groundwater Seep Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Apocynum cannabinum Indian hemp Apocynaceae - Dogbane Family N NA Asclepias speciosa Showy milkweed Asclepiadaceae - Milkweed Family N NA Arnica fulgens Arnica Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Aster adscendens Aster chilensis Aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Breea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Carduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago serotinoides Goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Xanthium strumarium Cocklebur Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae - Borage Family I NA Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western snowberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family N NA Bassia sieversiana Kochia scoparia Kochia Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Carex languinosa Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex nebrascensis Nebraska sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Carex utriculata Carex rostrata Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Dipsacus fullonum Dipsacus sylvestris Common teasel Dipsacaceae - Teasel Family I NA Hippochaete laevigata Equisetum laevigatum Smooth scouring rush Equisetaceae - Horsetail Family N NA Amorpha fruticosa False indigo Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Melilotus albus White sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort family I NA Iris missouriensis Wild iris Iridaceae - Iris Family N NA Juncus balticus Baltic rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Juncus effusus Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Marrubium vulgare Horehound Lamiaceae - Mint Family I NA Mentha arvensis Fieldmint Lamiaceae - Mint Family N NA Oenothera villosa Common evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Plantago lanceolata English plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family I NA Agrostis gigantea Agrostis alba Redtop Poaceae - Grass Family I C Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae - Grass Family N C Dactylis glomerata Orchard grass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Nasselaa viridula Stipa viridula Green needlegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Panicum capillare Witchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Spartina pectinata Prairie cordgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W 
Table 7. Groundwater Seep Wetland 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Geum macrophyllum Large-leaved avens Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Prunus americana Wild plum Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa sayi Rosa acicularis Prickly wild rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa woodsii Woods rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Salix exigua Sandbar willow Salicaceae - Willow Family N NA Verbascum blattaria Moth mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA Typha latifolia Common cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA 
Table 8. Seasonal Pond 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster porteri White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Breea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Conyza canadensis Horseweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Erigeron divergens Spreading fleabane Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA Oligosporus campestris Artemisia campestris Western sagewort Asteraceae – Sunflower Family N NA Xanthium strumarium Cocklebur Asteraceae – Sunflower Family I NA Alyssum minus Alyssum Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Descurainia sp. Tansy mustard Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Neolepia campestre Lepidium campestre Fieldcress Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Sisymbrium altissimum Tumbling mustard Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Thlaspi arvense Fanweed Brassicaceae – Mustard Family I NA Calochortus gunnisonii Mariposa lily Calochortaceae – Mariposa Family N NA Carex nebrascensis Nebraska sedge Cyperaceae – Sedge Family N NA Carex utriculata Carex rostrata Sedge Cyperaceae – Sedge Family N NA Eleocharis palustris Spike-rush Cyperaceae – Sedge Family N NA Dalea purpurea Petalostemon purpurea Purple prairie clover Fabaceae – Pea Family N NA Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice Fabaceae – Pea Family N NA Erodium cicutarium Filaree Geraniaceae – Geranium Family I NA Juncus balticus Baltic rush Juncaceae – Rush Family N NA Juncus effusus Rush Juncaceae – Rush Family N NA Agropyron cristatum Crested wheatgrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Bromopsis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth brome Poaceae – Grass Family I C Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae – Grass Family N C Distichlis spicata Salt-grass Poaceae – Grass Family N W Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae – Grass Family N C Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae – Grass Family N C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Persicaria 21aculate Polygonum persicaria Lady’s thumb Polygonaceae – Buckwheat Family I NA Persicaria pennsylvanica Polygonum pennsylcanicum Pennsylvania smartweed Polygonaceae – Buckwheat Family N NA Rumex crispus Curly dock Polygonaceae – Buckwheat Family N NA Agrimonia striata Agrimony Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA 
Table 8. Seasonal Pond 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Verbascum blattaria Moth mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA Typha latifolia Common cattail Typhaceae - Cattail Family N NA 
Table 9. Disturbed 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Yucca glauca Yucca Agavaceae - Agave Family N NA Paronychia jamesii James' nailwort Alsinaceae - Chickweed Family N NA Amaranthus retroflexus Redroot pigweed Amaranthaceae - Amaranth Family I NA Lomatium orientale Lomatium Apiaceae - Parsley Family N NA Apocynum cannabinum Indian hemp Apocynaceae - Dogbane Family N NA Asclepias speciosa Showy milkweed Asclepiadaceae - Milkweed Family N NA Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Acosta diffusa Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia frigida Fringed sagebrush Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Artemisia ludoviciana Prairie sagewort Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Aster ericoides White aster Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Breea arvensis Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Carduus nutans Musk thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Centaurea maculosa Spotted knapweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Cichorium intybus Chicory Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Conyza canadensis Horseweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Dyssodia papposa Fetid marigold Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Erigeron divergens Spreading fleabane Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom snakeweed Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Liatris punctata Dotted gayfeather Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Ratibida columnifera Prairie coneflower Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Solidago spathulata Goldenrod Asteraceae - Sunflower Family N NA Sonchus arvensis Field sow thistle Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Taraxacum officinale Common dandelion Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Xanthium strumarium Cocklebur Asteraceae - Sunflower Family I NA Lithospermum incisum Narrowleaf gromwell Boraginaceae - Borage Family N NA Alyssum alyssoides Pale alyssum Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Cardaria draba Whitetop Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Sisymbrium altissimum Tumbling mustard Brassicaceae - Mustard Family I NA Bassia sieversiana Kochia scoparia Kochia Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Chenopodium murale Nettleleaf goosefoot Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Kochia scoparia Bassia sieversiana Summer cypress Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Salsola australis Salsola iberica Russian-thistle Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Salsola iberica Russian-thistle Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Teloxys botrys Woordseed Chenopodiaceae - Goosefoot Family I NA Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae - Morning Glory Family I NA Carex brevior Sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family N NA Chamaesyce Euphorbia Ridgeseed spurge Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family I NA 
Table 9. Disturbed 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

glyptosperma glyptosperma Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family I NA Tithymalus brachyceras Spurge Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family N NA Astragalus cicer Cicer milkvetch Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Medicago sativa Alfalfa Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Melilotus albus White sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweetclover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Oxytropis lambertii Lambert locoweed Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Psoralidium tenuiflora Slimflower scurfpea Fabaceae - Pea Family N NA Trifolium pratense Red clover Fabaceae - Pea Family I NA Hypericum perforatum St. Johnswort Hypericaceae - St. Johnswort family I NA Juncus longistylis Rush Juncaceae - Rush Family N NA Leucocrinum montanum Sand lily Liliaceae - Lily Family N NA Linum lewisii Perennial flax Linaceaea - Flax Family N NA Calylophus serrulatus Shrubby evening-primrose Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Gaura parviflora Smallflower gaura Onagraceae - Evening-primrose Family N NA Oxalis dillenii Woodsorrel Oxalidaceae - Woodsorrel Family N NA Plantago lanceolata English plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family I NA Plantago major Common plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family I NA Agropyron cristatum Crested wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W Anisantha tectorum Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Aristida purpurea Three-awn Poaceae - Grass Family N W Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama Poaceae - Grass Family N W Bromopis inermis Bromus inermis Smooth bromegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Buchloë dactyloides Buffalograss Poaceae - Grass Family N W Chondrosum gracile Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama Poaceae - Grass Family N W Critesion jubatum Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Poaceae - Grass Family N C Dactylis glomerata Orchard grass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Echinochloa crusgalli Barnyard grass Poaceae - Grass Family I W Elymus elymoides Sitanion hystrix Bottletail squirreltail Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elymus trachycaulus Agropyron caninum Slender wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Elytrigia dasystachyum Agropyron dasystachyum Thickspike wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Eragrostis cilianensis Stinkgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I W Festuca ovina Sheep fescue Poaceae - Grass Family N C Hesperostipa comata Stipa comata Needle-and-thread Poaceae - Grass Family N C Koeleria macrantha Koeleria pyramidata Junegrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Lophopyrum elongatum Agropyron elongatum Tall wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Muhlenbergia montana Mountain muhly Poaceae - Grass Family N W Panicum capillare Witchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N W 
Table 9. Disturbed 

Plant Species List

NREL National Wind Technology Center 

Scientific Binomial Synonomy Common Name Family Origin Season 

Pascopyrum smithii Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Poa fendleriana Muttongrass Poaceae - Grass Family N C Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Poaceae - Grass Family I C Schizachyrium scoparium 

Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem Poaceae - Grass Family N W 

Setaria viridis Green floxtail Poaceae - Grass Family I W Sporobolus cryptandrus Sand dropseed Poaceae - Grass Family N W Thinopyrum intermedium Agropyrum intermedium Intermediate wheatgrass Poaceae – Grass Family I C Triticum aestivum Wheat Poaceae - Grass Family I C Rumex crispus Curly dock Polygonaceae – Buckwheat Family N NA Potentilla hippiana Wooly cinquefoil Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Rosa arkansana Prairie rose Rosaceae - Rose Family N NA Commandra umbellata Bastard-toadflax Santalaceae - Sandelwood Family N NA Verbascum blattaria Moth mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family I NA Leiostemon ambiguum Scropulariaceae - Figwort Family N NA Physalis virginiana Virginia ground-cherry Solanaceae - Nightshade Family I NA Solanum rostratum Buffalobur Solanaceae - Nightshade Family N NA Verbena bracteata Prostrate verbena Verbebaceae - Verbena Family N NA Viola nuttallii Yellow prairie violet Violaceae - Violet Family N NA 
APPENDIX C

Plant Community and Other Photos
 Photo 1. Looking southwest from Row 3 at the xeric mixed grassland community. August 5, 2010. 

Photo 2. Looking northwest at the mesic mixed grassland community. The solar array is visible to 

the northeast. October 21, 2010. 
 Photo 3. Looking southwest at the ponderosa pine woodland in the distance. August 5, 2010. 

Photo 4. Looking south-southwest at the upland shrubland. August 5, 2010. 
Photo 5. Looking northwest across PE-2. This area has experienced a general drying trend over 

the last decade. Dominants in this photo include smooth brome and mullein. Evidence of baltic 

rush can be found by combing through prior years’ vegetation. Baltic rush can persist for years 

after a disturbance to it’s water source. August 5, 2010. 

Photo 6. Looking west-northwest at the western end of RF-1 which consists of a shallow swale. 

August 5, 2010. 
Photo 7. West of the ponderosa pine woodlands, looking east at the groundwater seep 

(GS-1) wetland in the distance. A hawthorn tree at it’s south end grows along the 

property boundary fence. This area no longer supports cattails. May 9, 2011. 

Photo 8. Looking at the northwest portion of the groundwater seep (GS-2) in the 

northeast portion of the site with common teasel in the foreground and cattails in the 

background. A pond beyond the northern site boundary is visible in the distance. 

August 5, 2010. 
Photo 9. Looking northwest at the seasonal pond west of the ponderosa pine woodland. 

 August 5, 2010. 

Other Photos 

Photo 10. Looking southwest at an isolated group of hawthorn trees occurring along the 

western site boundary in the distance. May 9, 2011. 
APPENDIX D

Listing of Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Terrestrial Arthropods 

Observed During All Surveys Combined
Appendix D. Listing of Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Terrestrial Arthropods 

Observed During All Surveys Combined, National Renewable Energy Laboratory National 

Wind Technology Center, 2010 – 2011

Common Name Scientific Name Vegetation Community

Code*

Mammals

Thirteen-lined ground squirrel 

(burrows only) Spermophilus tridecemlineatus XMG

Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus XMG, RFW, XMG/PPW

Mexican Woodrat Neotoma mexicana XMG/PPW 

Prairie Vole Microtus ochrogaster RFW

Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus RFW

Western Harvest Mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis XMG

Desert cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii BRS

Masked Shrew Sorex cinereus RFW

Myotis bats** (from acoustical 

monitoring report, Appendix E) Myotis sp. XMG/PPW 

Big brown bat (from acoustical 

monitoring report, Appendix E) Eptesicus fuscus XMG/PPW 

Fringed myotis (from acoustical 

monitoring report, Appendix E) Myotis thysanodes XMG/PPW 

Silver-haired bat (from acoustical 

monitoring report, Appendix E) Lasionycteris noctivagans XMG/PPW 

Hoary bat (from acoustical 

monitoring report, Appendix E) Lasiurus cinereus XMG/PPW 

Eastern red bat (from acoustical 

monitoring report, Appendix E) Lasiurus borealis XMG/PPW 

Coyote (scat only) Canis latrans XMG

American elk Cervus canadensis XMG

Mule deer (beds) Odocoileus hemionus RFW

Amphibians

Boreal chorus frog Pseudacris maculata RFW

Woodhouse’s toad (deceased) Bufo woodhousii XMG

Reptiles

Bull snake (observed on road 

during orientation) Pituophis catenifer XMG

Terrestrial Arthropods

Checkered white Pontia protodice RFW

Western white Pontia occidentalis XMG

Cabbage white Pieris rapae RFW
Common Name Scientific Name Vegetation Community

Code*

Orange sulphur Colias eurytheme XMG

Dainty sulphur Nathalis iole XMG

Gray hairstreak Strymon melinus RFW

Aphrodite fritillary Speyeria aphrodite RFW

Common wood nymph Cercyonis pegala RFW

*Vegetation community code: XMG= Xeric mixed grassland, RFW=Riparian fringe wWetland, PEW=Palustrine 

emergent wetland, BRS=Building/road/structure, SP=Seasonal pond, PPW=Ponderosa pine woodland. 

**Included in this group may be one or more of the following species: western small-footed myotis, western longeared myotis, little brown myotis, and long-legged myotis.
APPENDIX E 

Bat Acoustical Surveys at the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, Jefferson 

County, Colorado, May 6, 2011
Bat Acoustical Surveys at the 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 

National Wind Technology Center 

Jefferson County, Colorado 

May 5, 2011 

Prepared for 

Prepared by 

 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

i 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 2

METHODS ........................................................................................................................ 2

Field Work ................................................................................................................................ 2

Data Management and Analysis ............................................................................................... 4

RESULTS .......................................................................................................................... 5

Detector Nights ......................................................................................................................... 5

Bat Passes and Species Composition ........................................................................................ 5

Activity Index ........................................................................................................................... 6

Temporal Distribution ............................................................................................................... 6

Peak Activity Levels ................................................................................................................. 8

Special Status Species ............................................................................................................... 8

DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 8

Detector Nights ......................................................................................................................... 8

Bat Passes and Species Composition ........................................................................................ 8

Activity Index ........................................................................................................................... 9

Temporal Distribution ............................................................................................................... 9

Peak Activity levels ................................................................................................................ 10

Special Status Species ............................................................................................................. 10

RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................ 10

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 10

 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

ii 

TABLES 

Table 1. Detector Nights, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 2010. ............................................ 5

Table 2. Identified Bat Passes and Index of Activity, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 2010. 6

Table 3. Temporal Distribution of Bat Activity, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 2010. ........ 7

Table 4. Baseline Bat Activity at NWTC Compared with Wind Energy Facilities. ....................... 9

FIGURES 

Figure 1. AnaBat Detector Location, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado, 2010 .......................... 3

Figure 2. Bat Species Composition by Identified Bat Passes, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

2010. ................................................................................................................................ 5

Figure 3. Index of Bat Activity by Month, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 2010. ................. 7

Figure 4. Peak Activity Levels, by Total Bat Passes, NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado, 2010 . 8

 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

iii 

LIST OF ACRONYMS 

CDOW Colorado Division of Wildlife 

CF compact flash 

NWTC NREL’s National Wind Technology Center 

Mic microphone 

Walsh Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

1 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

An acoustical bat use survey was conducted at the NWTC from July 6, 2010 to November 7, 

2010, using a passive acoustical method with AnaBat Systems Bat Detectors (Titley Electronics). 

The purpose of this survey was to obtain information about use by bats within the Project area. 

All data were collected from one bat detector was mounted on a fence post within the 

conservation easement in the northwest portion of the site. Bat activity was determined by the 

number of bat passes (number of echolocation calls recorded with ≥ 2 chirps) per detector night. 

Species composition, temporal distribution (by month), and peak activity levels were analyzed. 

A total of 12,425 bat passes was recorded during the survey period for an index of activity of 

99.40 bat passes per detector night. Of the 12,425 total bat passes, 8,772 passes could be 

identified to species (70.18 identified bat passes per detector night). 

Species identified included big brown bat, eastern red bat, fringed myotis, hoary bat, silver-haired 

bat, and Myotis bat group (which may include western small-footed myotis, western long-eared 

myotis, little brown myotis, and long-legged myotis). 

Most bats were detected in July (3,952 total bat passes) and August (5,058 total bat passes). The 

Myotis bat group was most the most frequently detected (4,373 identified bat passes). 

There were no peaks of activity during the monitoring period, but rather constant fluctuation. 

No Federally- or state-listed threatened, endangered, or candidate species or species of special 

concern were identified during surveys (USFWS 2010, CDOW 2010). 

 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

2 

INTRODUCTION 

Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (Walsh) was retained by the National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to conduct acoustic bat surveys at the National Wind 

Technology Center (NWTC). This effort involved using passive acoustical detectors that recorded 

bat echolocation calls from July to November 2010. This report presents the results of these 

surveys. 

NWTC is located on approximately 320 acres in Jefferson County, Colorado, on State Highway 

128 between the cities of Boulder and Golden, Colorado adjacent to the eastern foothills of the 

Rocky Mountains. The legal description of the current boundary is: T2N, R70W, portions of 

Sections 3 and 4. 

The site is largely composed of Xeric mixed grassland. The bat monitoring unit was located in a 

draw within a conservation easement in the western portion of the site. There is a small stand of 

ponderosa pines directly east of the unit, a small ephemeral pond a few hundred yards south, and 

a larger, long-lasting pond one-half mile south (Figure 1). 

METHODS 

Field Work 

Bat echolocation calls were recorded from July 6 to November 7, 2010, using an AnaBat SD2 

ultrasonic detector from Titley Electronics, Ballina, Australia. One AnaBat detector was installed 

on a fencepost within the conservation easement at roughly 0.5 meters above the ground. It is 

recognized that attenuation of bat calls occurs at roughly 30 meters from the unit, indicating that 

the detector was able to capture calls about 30 meters above the ground. 

Data collection methods followed Kunz et al. (2007). Call recording was conducted during 

crepuscular and nocturnal hours (about one hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise) to 

capture peak times of bat activity (Reynolds 2006). All files recorded during the survey period 

were saved to 1 gigabyte compact flash (CF) cards that were collected at two- to three-week 

intervals and downloaded to a computer using Titley’s CF card reader software. 

 
!5

Coal C re ek

S p ri n g B r o o k

Lafarge

Pond

105°14'3.6"W, 39°54'50.64"N

20110304U:\Pr ojects\900758.0001.010_nr el_nwtc \m ap_m xd\anabat_location.mx d

Figure 1. AnaBat Detector Location

NREL National Wind Technology Center

Jefferson County, CO

May 3, 2011 | 900758.0001.020

!5 Anabat Location

NWTC Boundary

Ponderosa Pine Woodland

Conservation Area

National Hydrography Dataset

Artificial Path

Canal Ditch

Pipeline

Intermittent Stream/River

Perennial Stream/River

0 0.25 0.5 1

Miles

1:18,000

1 in = 1,500 feet $
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

4 

Data Management and Analysis 

Data gathered from the AnaBat detector were analyzed using Analook software. A preliminary 

analysis was run to separate extraneous noise files (which may include noise created by weather, 

radio or microwaves, insects, birds, etc.) from bat echolocation call files. The number of bat calls 

could then be determined and reported using the metric “bat pass.” A bat pass is an accepted 

measure of bat activity defined as an echolocation sequence of at least two echolocations pulses, 

or chirps, with a minimum pulse duration of 10 milliseconds within each sequence, separated by 

more than one second (Gannon et al. 2003, Kunz et al. 2007). Bat call files were further identified 

and segregated into species groups to show species composition of bats on the site. A number of 

calculated variables are derived from the bat pass data and are described below. 

Bat passes were identified to species or species group when possible, and this subset of bat passes 

is termed “identified bat pass.” Identified bat passes included all bat passes that had five or more 

clear echolocation calls, or chirps. Myotis bats are a group whose individual species’ calls are 

difficult to distinguish. These calls are therefore lumped as Myotis bats, and may include one or 

more of the following species known to occur along the Front Range of Colorado: western smallfooted myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum), western long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis), little brown 

myotis (Myotis lucifugus), and long-legged myotis (Myotis volans). The fringed myotis (Myotis 

thysanodes) is an exception as its calls are distinct. 

An index of relative bat activity, or activity index, was calculated as the number of bat passes per 

detector night (the number of nights the detector was recording data). Additionally, an activity 

index was determined per species by using the number of identified bat passes for each species 

per detector night. Other metrics calculated from the data include temporal distribution of bat 

activity by month and peak activity. 

Two important assumptions are required for these data analyses that may not be completely 

supported: 

1) Each bat pass accounts for a single bat recorded only once by the AnaBat detector. 

One bat pass may actually contain more than one individual bat echolocating, or 

alternatively, multiple bat passes may be the same bat circling around and echolocating. 

However, recognition of individuals cannot be determined using AnaBat detectors, so the 

analysis must be conducted with one bat pass equivalent to one bat. 

2) All species are equally well detected by AnaBat detectors. Different species of bats 

echolocation calls attenuate at differing distances, with some species of bats whose calls 

attenuate at shorter distances being recorded less often than those whose calls carry 

further. For example, Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) has a weak 

call that attenuates quickly and is not as readily detected as many other species (Piaggio 

2005). Furthermore, behavioral differences may result in certain species being recorded 

more often than others. Since there is no appropriate way to correct for these differences, 

detection equality must be assumed (Gannon et al. 2003). 

During data analysis, any special status species, i.e., Federally- or state-listed threatened, 

endangered, or candidate species, or species of special concern were noted (USFWS 2010, 

CDOW 2010). 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

5 

RESULTS 

Detector Nights 

One AnaBat detector recorded data for 125 detector nights, every night from July 6 to November 

7, 2010 (Table 1). 

Table 1. Detector Nights, NWTC, 

Jefferson County, Colorado 2010. 

Month Detector Nights

July 26

August 31

September 30

October 31

November 7

Total 125

Bat Passes and Species Composition 

A total of 12,425 bat passes were recorded during the survey period. Of those, 8,772 were 

identified to species. Species composition is summarized in Figure 2 and included 50 percent 

Myotis bats (Myotis sp.) (4,373 identified bat passes), 36 percent big brown bat (Eptesicus 

fuscus) (3,145 passes), 7 percent fringed myotis (592 passes) (Myotis thysanodes), 5 percent 

silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) (481 passes), 2 percent hoary bat (Lasiurus 

cinereus) (179 passes), and less than 1 percent eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) (2 passes). 

Figure 2. Bat Species Composition by Identified Bat Passes, NWTC, 

Jefferson County, Colorado 2010. 

 

Big brown

bat

Eastern red

bat

Hoary bat

Silver‐haired

bat

Myotis bats

Fringed

myotis
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

6 

Activity Index 

There are two indices of bat activity: total bat passes, which includes all echolocation calls with 

two or more chirps, and identified bat passes, which is limited to those with five or more chirps 

(see Methods). The overall activity index recorded at the AnaBat detector was 99.40 total bat 

passes per detector night and 70.18 identified bat passes per detector night (Table 1). The species 

of bat with the highest activity index is the Myotis bat group (34.98 bat passes per detector night). 

Big brown bat also had comparatively high levels of activity (25.15 bat passes per detector night). 

Fringed myotis, silver-haired bat, and hoary bat had comparatively moderate levels of activity, 

between 1.43 to 4.74 identified bat passes per detector night. Eastern red bat had a comparatively 

low level of activity (0.02 identified bat passes per detector night) (Table 2). 

Table 2. Identified Bat Passes and Index of Activity, NWTC, Jefferson County, 

Colorado 2010. 

Common Name Scientific Name Number

Identified  

Index of Activity (Number

Identified/Detector Nights)

Myotis bats* Myotis sp. 4,373 34.98 

Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus 3,145 25.15 

Fringed myotis Myotis thysanodes 592 4.74 

Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris 

noctivagans 481 3.85 

Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus 179 1.43 

Eastern red bat Lasiurus borealis 2 0.02 

Total Identified Bat Passes 8,772 70.18 

Total Bat Passes 12,425 99.40 

*Included in this group may be one or more of the following species: western small-footed myotis, western long-eared myotis, little 

brown myotis, and long-legged myotis. 

Temporal Distribution 

Total bat activity was highest in July (3,952 bat passes) and August (5,058 bat passes) with an 

activity index of 152.04 and 163.16 total bat passes per detector night, respectively. September 

was also a month of high bat activity (3,221 bat passes) with an activity indices of 107.37 total 

bat passes per detector night. October and November had relatively low levels of bat activity (190 

and 3 bat passes) with activity indices of 6.13 and 0.43 total bat passes per detector night, 

respectively (Figure 3, Table 3). 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

7 

Figure 3. Index of Bat Activity by Month, NWTC, Jefferson County, 

Colorado 2010. 

 

(0.43 bat

passes/detector

night)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

July August September October November

Index of Bat Activity

 Note: Index of bat activity is determined by number of bat passes per detector night for that month; detector nights are shown 

 in Table 1. 

Identified bat passes were also highest in July (3162) and August (3,299 bat passes) with an 

activity index of 121.62 and 106.42 identified bat passes per detector night, respectively. Bat 

activity was moderate in September, lower in October, and very low in November. 

Big brown bats, Myotis bats, and hoary bats experienced their highest activity in July and August 

(Table 3), with hoary bats active at much lower frequencies than the other two species/groups. 

Fringed myotis were active in July, August and September; silver-haired bats were most active in 

September but maintained a presence in July and August as well. Eastern red bats had very low 

activity, though were present in July and August. 

Table 3. Temporal Distribution of Bat Activity, NWTC, Jefferson County, 

Colorado 2010. 

Species July Aug Sept Oct Nov 

Big brown bat 58.15 39.97 12.37 0.68 0.14 

Eastern red bat 0.04 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Fringed myotis 6.38 6.74 7.13 0.10 0.00 

Hoary bat 2.53 3.03 0.63 0.00 0.00 

Myotis bats 51.19 52.06 46.13 1.42 0.00 

Silver-haired bat 3.31 4.55 6.37 1.97 0.29 

Total Identified Bat 

Passes 121.62 106.41 72.63 4.16 0.43 

Total Bat Passes 152.04 163.16 107.16 6.13 0.43 

Note: Bat activity determined by number of identified bat passes per detector night for that month. 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

8 

Peak Activity Levels 

The level of bat activity fluctuates consistently from the beginning of monitoring in July through 

the end of September, when levels drop off (Figure 4). Although there are no true peaks of 

activity, which would be indicated by a fairly steady rise to a high point in activity, there are 

several spikes in activity that can be seen on July 21 (315 bat passes), August 18 (390 bat passes), 

August 26 (370 bat passes), August 28 (309 bat passes) and September16 (322 bat passes). 

Figure 4. Peak Activity Levels, by Total Bat Passes, NWTC, Jefferson 

County, Colorado, 2010 

0

100

200

300

400

500

Special Status Species 

No Federally-listed threatened, endangered or candidate bat species listed by the Endangered 

Species Act are known to occur in Colorado (USFWS 2010). No state-listed threatened or 

endangered species or species of special concern were identified during surveys (CDOW 2010). 

DISCUSSION 

Detector Nights 

The AnaBat detector ran every night without obvious problems from July 6, 2010 to November 7, 

2010. 

Bat Passes and Species Composition 

The Myotis bat group was the most commonly detected group during monitoring with 4,373 

identified bat passes, or nearly half of all identified bats. Since it is very difficult to differentiate 

echolocation calls of the species in this group, they were not identified to species. The species of 

Myotis that are known to inhabit this region include western small-footed myotis, western longeared myotis, little brown myotis, and long-legged myotis. The Myotis group may be made up of 

any of these species. Since this group was detected throughout July, August, and September, they 

are most likely resident bats. Big brown bats were the second most commonly detected group 

with 3,144 identified bat passes. Their presence throughout July, August, and September also 

shows that they are most likely resident bats. 

Of the 18 species of bats documented in Colorado (Armstrong et al. 1994; Fitzgerald et al. 1994), 

a minimum of 6 species and up to 9 species were identified on site (depending on how many 

Myotis species are present in the Myotis bat group). Several calls recorded may have been pallid 

bat calls (Antrozous pallidus), but due to the unlikely event that this species would occur along 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

9 

the foothills, and that aspects of pallid bat calls look very similar to either big brown bats or little 

brown myotis, these calls were not identified as pallid bats. Although Colorado bat populations 

and distribution have not been thoroughly studied, these results are consistent with what is 

generally known about the bat populations within the state (Adams 2003, Armstrong et al. 1994). 

Activity Index 

Total bat passes for the survey period was 99.40 per detector night. Although data may not be 

perfectly comparable with monitoring done at wind farms, this level of activity is much higher 

than what has been found for projects in this and other regions of the U.S (Table 4). It is not 

known why the levels of activity on this site are so high. Several hypotheses include: 

1) The Ponderosa pines, shrubs, and grasses in the draw where the AnaBat unit was 

located provide good foraging for bats, as well as potential roosting sites in the trees; 

2) The large pond on the Lafarge mining property (Spicer) 0.5 mile to the south of the 

AnaBat unit is the best quality and closest water source to bat roosts, and this water 

source is available through the summer, when smaller water sources will become dry; 

3) The rocky ridgeline of the foothills, roughly two miles to the west, provides good 

roosting habitat, a limiting factor for bats; and 

4) Vacant buildings on Lafarge’s property may provide good roosting habitat for big and 

little brown bats. 

Table 4. Baseline Bat Activity at NWTC Compared with Wind Energy 

Facilities.

Wind Energy Facility 

Bat Activity 

(total bat passes/detector 

night) 

Reference 

Colorado Highlands, CO 0.23 Walsh 2010 

Top of the World, WY 0.58 Rintz and Kimberly 2009 

Dunlap Ranch, WY 1.67 Johnson et al. 2009 

Campbell Hill, WY 2.03 Taylor et al. 2008 

Buffalo Mountain, TN 23.70 Fiedler 2004 

Mountaineer, WV 38.30 Arnett et al. 2005 

NWTC, CO 99.40 This report 

Temporal Distribution 

For all species combined, the highest number of bat passes was recorded in July and August. This 

suggests that the majority of recorded bat passes are from local, resident bats. Bat passes recorded 

in late August, September, and October may be related to fall migration. This coincides with 

other studies that have found high levels of bat activity in the late summer and early fall

(Erickson et al. 2002, Cryan 2003, Kunz et al. 2007). 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

10 

Big brown bats appear to be resident, as they are most active in July and August. Myotis bats, 

active July through September on site, may delay migration until later in September. Fringed 

myotis is also likely resident, with activity from July through September and their known 

presence in the general vicinity (Rick Adams, personal communication, March 11, 2011). Silverhaired bats show some resident activity with a presence in July and August; the higher activity in 

September is indicative of their migratory behavior. Hoary bats are solitary and seldom abundant, 

suitably reflected in their low abundance in July and August. The eastern red bat was present in 

July and August but very infrequently and is uncommon in Colorado. 

Peak Activity levels 

Bat activity fluctuated from July to September and then decreased until the end of the monitoring 

period with no true peaks of activity. This, again, suggests that most of the bat activity captured 

during the summer was of resident bats. The fluctuation of activity levels, as well as the spikes of 

activity, may be due to weather or other factors that influence the activity of bats. 

Special Status Species 

No special status species were identified during acoustical bat surveys. Townsend’s big-eared bat, 

the only state-listed bat species, is known to occur near this area (Adams 2003). Maternity 

colonies have been identified and are protected at Harmon and Mallory caves on City of Boulder 

Open Space and Mountain Parks land roughly 5 miles to the north/northwest 

(http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/openspace/closure_documents/MalloryHarmonCave_Whit

eNoseSyndrome.pdf). 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Walsh recommends several additional surveys which will help to better understand bat movement 

and activity at NWTC. 

• Continued passive acoustical monitoring of bats from April 1 to July 6 to complete a full 

year of monitoring. 

• Continued monitoring in subsequent years to substantiate patterns seen in this study as 

well as provide year-to-year comparisons. 

• Additional passive acoustical monitoring at different locations and heights to see the 

movement of bats through the site 

• Mist netting surveys can better identify which species are using the site 

• Putting radio-tags on some bats can show where they are roosting. 

REFERENCES 

Adams, R.A. 2003. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West: natural history, ecology, and conservation. 

University Press of Colorado, Boulder. 

Armstrong, D.M., R.A. Adams, K.W. Navo, J. Freeman, and S.J. Bissell. 1994. Bats of Colorado: 

Shadows of the Night. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, Colorado. 
Bat Survey Report 

NWTC, Jefferson County, Colorado 

11 

Arnett, E.B., W.P. Erickson, J. Kerns, and J. Horn. 2005. Relationships between Bats and Wind 

Turbines in Pennsylvania and West Virginia: An Assessment of Fatality Search 

Protocols, Patterns of Fatality, and Behavioral Interactions with Wind Turbines. Prepared 

for the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative. 

Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). 2010. Colorado Endangered, Threatened and Species of 

Special Concern. 

http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/Mammals/MammalsOfCon

cern.htm 

Cryan, P.M. 2003. Seasonal distribution of migratory tree bats (Lasiurus and Lasionycteris) in 

North America. Journal of Mammalogy. 84(2):579-593. 

Erickson, W., G. Johnson, D. Young, D. Strickland, R. Good, M. Bourassa, K. Bay, and K. 

Sernka. (2002). Synthesis and comparison of baseline avian and bat use, raptor nesting 

and mortality information from proposed and existing wind developments. Western 

EcoSystems Technology, Inc. Prepared for Bonneville Power Administration. 

Fiedler, J.K. 2004. Assessment of bat mortality and activity at Buffalo Mountain Windfarm, 

eastern Tennessee. M.S. Thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

Fitzgerald, J.P., C.A. Meaney, and D.M. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. University 

Press of Colorado, Niwot, and Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver. 

Gannon, W.L., R.E. Sherwin, and S. Haymond. 2003. On the importance of articulating 

assumptions when conducting acoustic studies of bats. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 31:45-

61. 

Johnson, D., K. Bay, J. Eddy. 2009. Final Report: Wildlife Baseline Studies for the Dunlap Ranch 

Wind Resource Area, Carbon County, Wyoming. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. 

Prepared for CH2MHill. 

Kunz, T.H., E.B. Arnett, B.A. Cooper, W.P Erickson, R.P. Larkin, T.J. Mabee, M.L Morrison, 

M.D. Strickland, and J.M. Szewczak. 2007. Assessing impacts of wind-energy 

development on nocturnally active birds and bats. A guidance document. Journal of 

Wildlife Management. 71(8):2449-2486 

Piaggio, A (Original account by Sherwin, R. 1998) 2005. Species Accounts: Townsend’s bigeared bat. Western Bat Working Group. 

http://www.wbwg.org/speciesinfo/species_accounts/vespertilonidae/coto.pdf 

Reynolds, D.S. 2006. Monitoring the potential impact of a wind development site on bats in the 

Northeast. Journal of Wildlife Management. 70:1219-1227. 

Rintz, T. and Bay, K. 2009. Final Report: Wildlife Baseline Studies for the Top of the World 

Wind Resource Area, Converse County, Wyoming. Western EcoSystems Technology, 

Inc. Prepared for Duke Energy. 

Taylor, K., J. Gruver, and K. Bay. 2008. Wildlife Studies for the Campbell Hill Wind Resource 

Area, Converse County, Wyoming. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. Prepared for 

Three Buttes Windpower, LLC and Duke Energy. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2010. Species Listed in Colorado. 

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/stateListingAndOccurrenceIndividual.jsp?state=CO&

s8fid=112761032792&s8fid=112762573902&s8fid=24012906356871