Springtime in the desert is a cornucopia of brilliant colors, intoxicating smells and exotic shapes as wildflowers seemingly explode across the canyons and mesas. Trying to identify them from a book can sometimes be frustrating. And beyond simply learning the name of that mysterious flower, have you ever wanted to know more about these most colorful denizens of the desert?

Canyonlands Field Institute is offering a full day Desert Wildflower Seminar dedicated to the diversity of wildflowers in southeastern Utah. The field trip will be led by local Moab biologist and wildflower expert Joel Tuhy.

Joel, who also works for the Nature Conservancy, has been studying and photographing wildflowers in the region for over 30 years. We will not only learn the names but gain an appreciation for desert plants’ particular habitat requirements, adaptations, and interesting cultural uses.

This day trip includes lunch, transportation, hikes and interpretive talks. Trip starts at 8:30 am at CFI located at 1320 S. Hwy 191 just south of Moab, UT. Locations visited during the  trip will be determined depending on where the best blooms happen to be at the time, but expect a number of short hikes up to half a mile round trip from the vehicle during the day. We will return to town late afternoon,  arriving at CFI around 4:30-5:00. Advance registration is required.