Conversations with Marlene Borneman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Borneman.

Hi Marlene, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It began innocently enough in May 1974. I came to Colorado to work at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. I came from New Orleans my home town. Being from the south, I wanted to present as a proper lady so I arrived in a sleeveless silk dress, rather short as I recall, and the smartest-looking heeled sandals. When I arrived at the YMCA, it was around 30 degrees and snowing. I’m sure there were bets I would not last the summer. I met the right folks that summer.

By the end of summer, I had climbed most of the major peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. I had finished school earning a degree in Social Work so I stayed year round at the YMCA for three years. Later, I earned a Master’s in Social Work and a Certification in Addiction Counseling. That was my career but I always made time for Colorado’s mountains, from wildflowers to summits. In 2005, I completed climbing Colorado’s 14ers. In 2009, I finished climbing all the USGS-named peaks in Rocky. I have also climbed 44 of the 50 US state High Points.

I became interested in Colorado’s flora joined the Colorado Native Plant Society and earned my Native Plant Master Certification. Even before retirement, I was tasting a new deep interest that led to writing three wildflower pack guides and instructing wildflower classes for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. I have seen many changes in the town of Estes Park, but it still is the one place I hold dear to my heart. Summer of 2024 will be 50 years in this mountain village.

I participate in volunteer opportunities: Rocky Mountain National Park, Crossroads Ministry, The Estes Park Woman’s Club, The Estes Park Library, The Estes Park Garden Club, and the Larimer County Native Plant Master Program. I hope to give back by passing on my experiences.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Living in the shadow of Rocky Mountain National Park has provided me with a smooth road.

Being able to be out in the mountains with my husband and friends is the best therapy. Making a career in a small mountain town can be a challenge. I did spend a few years away due to a career move. Then, I commuted to Greeley for twelve years.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After retirement from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I dug deep into Colorado’s flora. Learning all I could about native plants, plant families, and how they were connected. I’m not a botanist, but a self-taught naturalist, and formal training.

I spent a lot of time since 1974 hiking/climbing/backpacking in Colorado’s mountains always photographing the wildflowers and learning their common names. About twenty-five years ago, I started learning more about botany by participating in informal and formal studies and fieldwork to further my knowledge and understanding of Colorado’s diverse flora.

I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others by providing community programs that educate and promote stewardship for Colorado’s native plants. I instruct wildflower classes for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy in Rocky Mountain National Park to promote stewardship in protecting our native plants and to learn about their beauty beyond first glance.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think I have taken risks every time on my adventures hike/backpack/climb especially in remote areas. Here is a piece I wrote when reflecting on my 126th peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Sharkstooth a technical climb: As I climbed toward the summit, tears were in my eyes.

This was what it was all about: I hadn’t gotten here because of a list, but because I had taken a risk. I like quotes, here is one from T. S. Eliott: ONLY THOSE WHO WILL RISK GOING FAR CAN FIND OUT HOW FAR ONE CAN GO.

So not only risks in the outdoors but professionally in my social work taking risks with families, and in taking a risk in writing wildflower guide books.

Image Credits
Marlene Borneman and Walt Borneman