Thriving in the wet environments next to streams and in marshes
The Narrowleaf Cottonwood tree is found in the Denver metro area and also can be seen along the river and creek banks up into the mountains. It is found along stream and river beds and floodplains where it can get the regular moisture and periodic flooding that it needs. If you ever see a tree […]
Narrowleaf Cottonwood Trees Read More »
The Wild Licorice shrub is about 4 feet tall and grows in patches. It is most often found in late summer through winter when you are discover that you have many Velcro-like seed pods stuck to your clothing after walking along a path.
Wild Licorice Shrub Read More »
Cattails are plants with long flat leaves that are found in marshy areas around ponds. In this area, there are two main types: Broadleaf cattail and Narrowleaf cattail.
When greeting people in the open space, most aren’t very excited to talk about plants, and some are excited about birds, but nearly everyone is excited to talk about the larger mammals that can be found there. These days, in the summer of 2021, the talk is all about beavers! A Bit about Beavers The
Beavers at Willow Spring Open Space! Read More »
Red-winged Blackbirds are known as marsh birds, and that is where you will find them in the Willow Spring Open Space. If you look among the willows and cattails, you can see and hear their large numbers.
Red-winged Blackbirds Read More »
Mallards are ducks which frequently are seen in pairs. That’s helpful, because the female is easily confused with other ducks, but the male has a bright metallic green head and neck.
Sandbar Willow shrubs grow along the banks of streams and on floodplains in multi-stemmed thickets, with branches up to 8 feet tall.
Sandbar Willow Shrub Read More »
The Plains Cottonwood tree is a large, dominant tree found along stream and river beds where more moisture is available than in the grasslands of the Plains.
Majestic Plains Cottonwood Trees Read More »
There are many trees at Willow Spring Open Space. Learn about both native and non-native tree species.
Many Species of Trees at Willow Spring Open Space Read More »
Willow Spring Open space is a large space in Colorado filled with trails, bicycle paths, and sledding in winter.
Willow Spring Open Space: A Wonderful Natural Area Read More »