Posted May 19, 2009 by Michelle DePrenger-Levin, Research Associate
Sclerocactus glaucus habitat
What threatens Sclerocactus glaucus (see a video showing some of the causes)? Installation and maintenance of huge pipelines that move oil and gas from the well pads miles and miles to the collection facilities; roads; browsing and trampling from livestock; weeds; and people who collect them from the wild to name a few. Why are we doing something about it? Just look at the beautiful landscape and plant community. Do you want to lose that? Neither do we.
Posted May 8, 2009 by Michelle DePrenger-Levin, Research Associate
Sclerocactus glaucus: Collection for genetic analysis
Each year, as spring rolls around, the Research and Conservation staff load up a 4-wheel drive vehicle with our gear, head out across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain west region in search of rare plants. This year we’re bringing the field home to you. Watch our first field video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqE5b4AXYRM.
Our first trip takes us west to the threatened cactus, Sclerocactus glaucus. This lovely little cactus is found in Western Colorado along with several other rare plant species. This is also an area with intense oil and gas development, residential growth and spreading weeds. Our aim is to protect the western region by studying and protecting this tiny cactus.
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