Past Meetings and Area Events

Past Meetings and Events

Summary

Details

November Chapter Meeting: Native Passionflowers

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Katie Hanson from the University of Texas at Austin will speak about Native Passionflowers, the beautiful genus Passiflora.

October: No Chapter Meeting

There is no chapter meeting in October.  Enjoy the NPSOT Fall Symposium!

NPSOT-NPAT 2007 Joint Symposium: The Blackland and Grand Prairies and Grasslands of the Edwards Plateau

Thursday through Sunday, October 18th - 21st, 2007,  at Sun City in Georgetown, TX

Attend this year's NPSOT-NPAT 2007 Joint Symposium and learn all about the Blackland and Grand Prairies and Grasslands of the Edwards Plateau.  The topic is: "Efforts to Identify, Restore, Conserve and Celebrate a Natural Treasure."

Our native prairies and savannas are a beautiful part of Texas' natural and cultural heritage, yet they are disappearing quickly.  Less than 1% of Texas' tallgrass prairie remains, and the incredible native prairie flowers and native grasses are harder and harder to find as losses continue.

Come learn about efforts to conserve, restore, and appreciate our Texas' prairie and grassland heritage.  Also learn about gardening with native prairie plants, identifying grassland birds, attracting wildlife with native prairie grasses and flowers, and identifying native grasses!

Visit the symposium web page to learn more about the tallgrass prairie and Hill Country grassland regions of Texas.

Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival

Saturday and Sunday, October 13th and 14th, 2007, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Austin and Williamson County chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants for chapter fund raising to support our projects.  Come by to see us and purchase some plants for your garden!

The Members-only Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, October 12th, 2007, 1:00pm-7:00pm.

September Chapter Meeting: Fun Gardening with Native Plants

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Andrea Delong-Amaya, Director of Gardens and Growing at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will speak about Fun Gardening With Native Plants.

August Chapter Meeting: Rich's Ramblings on Native Plants in 2007: A view from 50,000 feet

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Rich Zarria, sales manager at Native Texas Nursery, is our August meeting speaker.  Rich will speak about his frequent trips around the state collecting native plant seeds for new propagation projects, the business of native plant propagation, and other subjects related to native plants in 2007.

Rich encourages questions and interaction during his presentation, so be ready for a fun and dynamic presentation!

July: No Chapter Meeting

There is no chapter meeting in July.  Enjoy the summer!

June Chapter Meeting: Current Happenings and Future Plans at the Wildflower Center

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Susan Rieff, executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will speak about Current Happenings and Future Plans at the center, followed afterward by a Q&A session.

Come hear about recent changes at the Wildflower Center, such as the center's recent integration into the University of Texas, and ask Susan about current and future plans at one of the best native plant advocacy organizations in the world.

May Chapter Meeting: Native Soils

Tuesday, May 15th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jon Brandt, a former soil conservationist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, will give a presentation on native soils.

April Chapter Meeting: Spring Social

Tuesday, April 17th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm at the home of Molly and Jon Ogden

Join us for our Spring Social at the home and native plant garden of chapter members Molly and Jon Ogden!

For directions, attend the March meeting or contact Molly at mmcdonald@mediamastery.com or 512-416-5419.

Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival

Saturday and Sunday, April 14th and 15th, 2007, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Austin and Williamson County chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants for chapter fund raising.  Come by to see us and purchase some plants for your garden!

The Members-only Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, April 13th, 2007, 1:00pm-7:00pm.

March Chapter Meeting: Native Texas Trees

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

This month's speaker, Scott Harris, Executive Director of TreeFolks, Inc., will give a presentation all about native Texas trees and their benefits.

February Chapter Meeting: Central Texas Native Plants

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Photographer and chapter member Steve Schwartzman will present his latest photos of Central Texas native plants!  

Steve's native plant and wildlife photos are always amazing, so be sure to attend!

January Chapter Meeting: Canceled!

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007

The January Chapter Meeting has been canceled due to inclement weather.  

See you in February!

December Chapter Meeting: Pot Luck Social

Tuesday, December 12th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Bring a pot luck dish to share with everyone!  Plates and utensils will be provided.

November Chapter Meeting: Wildlife Habitats

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jane Tillman will speak about Wildlife Habitats.

Brodie Wild Volunteer Day

Saturday, November 4th, 2006, 9:00am-1:00pm, at Brodie Wild

Join us for a fun volunteer day at Brodie Wild, the chapter's savanna restoration project at the southwest corner of Slaughter Lane and Brodie Lane!  We'll be planting native plants (grasses, wildflowers, and other plants), cutting brush, and collecting trash.

For more information, contact Jason Spangler at jason.spangler@texasprairie.org.

NPSOT 2006 Fall Symposium: San Antonio

Thursday, October 19th through Sunday, October 22nd, 2006, in San Antonio

This year's NPSOT Fall Symposium highlights the San Antonio area and the five eco-regions that meet there.  For more information, see the NPSOT home page.

October: No Chapter Meeting 

There is no chapter meeting in October 2006.

Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival

Saturday and Sunday, October 14th and 15th, 2006, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Austin and Williamson County chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants for chapter fund raising.  Come by to see us and purchase some plants for your garden!

The Members-only Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, October 13th, 2006, 1:00pm-7:00pm.

Field Trip to Burleson Prairie

Saturday, October 7th, 2006, 9:00am, near Temple, TX

This is a field trip to Burleson Prairie, Bob and Mickey Burlesons' Blackland Prairie restoration near Temple.  The Burlesons' prairie includes over a hundred acres of restored and remnant Blackland Prairie, part of Texas' endangered tallgrass prairies.  The Burlesons' have been restoring this tallgrass prairie for decades and have written a restoration guide.

We'll meet north of Temple (approximately 68 miles north of Austin) around 8:30am at the parking lot on the southwest corner (truck stop/Wendy's) at exit 304 (north of Temple) off I-35 and caravan to the property.  For those who want to go directly there, they should be at this location on Berger Road by 9:00am

Contact Jason Spangler at jason.spangler@texasprairie.org for more information and directions.

For more information about Texas prairies, visit the Native Prairies Association of Texas.

Postponed: Field Trip: River Ecology Walk and Talk with Kevin Anderson

Postponed, was Saturday, September 23rd, 2006

This field trip has been postponed.

River Ecology walk and talk at the Platt Lane area of Hornsby Bend (not around the treatment facility) with Kevin Anderson.  Platt Lane is north of Hornsby Bend on FM 973.   To learn more, visit the Texas Riparian Association's web site.

Contact Kirsti for directions and more information at kirstiharms@earthlink.net.

September Chapter Meeting: Native Grasses

Tuesday, September 19th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Brian and Shirley Loflin, authors of the recently published book "Grasses of the Texas Hill Country", will speak about native grasses.

August Chapter Meeting: Care and Maintenance of Native Plants in the Landscape

Tuesday, August 15th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Attend this panel discussion of area experts on the care and maintenance of native plants in the landscape.

July: No Chapter Meeting

There is no chapter meeting in July 2006.

June Chapter Meeting: Pot Luck Social

Tuesday, June 20th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Bring a pot luck dish to share with everyone!  Plates and utensils will be provided.

Note: This meeting will be held our usual location at Wild Basin Wilderness rather than at a member's home as originally planned.

May Chapter Meeting: Urban Issues and Ecology

Tuesday, May 16th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Kelly Bender, Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Wildlife Biologist and co-author of Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife, will speak about urban issues and ecology.

Wildlife do not recognize city boundaries, and as more and more habitat is developed for urban use, pockets of remaining undeveloped land are becoming increasingly important to wildlife and the entire ecological system.  This talk explores the components of urban ecosystems and provides tools for assessing habitat quality in urban environments.

April Chapter Meeting: Tales from the Trails

Tuesday, April 18th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Mike Powers of Wild Basin Wilderness will give a native plant slide show and presentation, "Tales from the Trails,"  involving a series of stories relating to his interactions with native plants, mostly useful/edible/medicinal, over the past 25 years.

Field Trip and Guided Hike to Brodie Wild

Saturday, April 15th, 2006, 10:00am-11:30am, at Brodie Wild

Come on a field trip and guided hike of Brodie Wild, a Native Plant/Savanna Conservation and Education Area, on Austin Nature Day.

Native plants and wildlife will be identified and the advantages of landscaping with native plants will be discussed, especially with regard to beauty, wildlife, and water quality and conservation. The guided walk may be delayed slightly (up to an hour) in case of rain.

For more information, see the event listing on the Austin Nature Day website.

Park at one of the several plazas surrounding the intersection of Brodie Lane and Slaughter Lane, and use the crosswalk to cross to the southwest corner of the intersection.

Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival

Saturday and Sunday, April 8th and 9th, 2006, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Austin and Williamson County chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants for chapter fund raising.  Come by to see us and purchase some plants for your garden!

The Members-only Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, April 7th, 2006, 1:00pm-7:00pm.

Field Trip to Purola near Dripping Springs

Saturday, March 25th, 2006, 9:00am near Dripping Springs

Tour of Bob and Sirpa Harms' 50 acre restored Hill Country property near Dripping Springs.

Be ready for some moderate hiking and bring a lunch.

Contact Kirsti Harms for more information and directions at kirstiharms@earthlink.net.

Dr. Robert Harms will speak about his research into Texas Barberry, Mahonia swaseyi (Berberis swaseyi).

March Chapter Meeting: Texas Barberry

Tuesday, March 21st, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. Robert Harms will speak about his research into Texas Barberry, Mahonia swaseyi (Berberis swaseyi).

Native Plant Spring Symposium 2006: What's Hiding in the Bushes? Native Texas Plants as Habitat

Saturday, February 25th, 2006, 8:00am, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The NPSOT/Wildflower Center Spring Symposium will include a plenary session reviewing the ecological aspects of native plants as habitat, followed by in-depth afternoon break-out sessions. Afternoon session themes will address specific animal and plant relationships and review current biological research as related to native plant ecology.

For more information and registration information, see the Symposium web page.

February Chapter Meeting: Edwards Plateau Ecology

Tuesday, February 21st, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. Norma Fowler, Professor in the Section of Integrative Biology of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin, will give a presentation about Edwards Plateau ecology.

January Chapter Meeting: Hill Country Plant History and Ethnobotany

Tuesday, January 17th, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. Matt Turner will speak about Hill Country plant history and ethnobotany.

December Chapter Meeting: Silent Auction and Pot Luck Social

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Our silent auction fund raiser will be held this month.  Come prepared to bid on interesting items, and bring items to donate for the auction!

Bring a pot luck dish to share with everyone!  Plates and utensils will be provided.

November Chapter Meeting: Texas Prairies

Tuesday, November 15th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jason Spangler of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will speak about Texas prairies.

The tallgrass prairie is the most endangered large ecosystem in North America, and very little remains of the original ~12 million acres of Texas' Blackland Prairie. Beautiful prairie made up over half of Travis and most of Williamson County before plowing and development destroyed most of it.

Learn more about Texas prairies and how you can help protect and restore them.

NPSOT 2005 Fall Symposium: The Trans-Pecos

Thursday, October 20th through Sunday, October 23nd, 2005, in the Big Bend area

This year's NPSOT Fall Symposium highlights the Trans-Pecos eco-region of Texas. For more information, see the NPSOT home page.

October Chapter Meeting: No Meeting

There is no chapter meeting this month (October).

Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th, 2005, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Austin and Williamson County chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants and seeds.  Come by to see us and purchase some plants for your garden!

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, October 7th, 2005.

Field Trip to the Shield Ranch

Saturday, October 1st, 2005, 8:30am, at the Shield Ranch

This field trip will be an all-out study of a beautiful piece of hill country land in southwest Travis County, the Shield Ranch.  The Nature Conservancy holds a conservation easement on a majority of the ranch's land, and the ranch has won numerous environmental awards.

More details to come!  Contact Kirsti at kirstiharms@earthlink.net for more information.

September Chapter Meeting: Fall Composites

Tuesday, September 20th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. B. L. Turner, Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin, will talk about the fall composites.

Field Trip to the Burlesons' Prairie

Sunday, September 18th, 2005, 9:30am, near Belton, TX

This is a field trip to Bob and Mickey Burlesons' prairie property near Temple.  The Burlesons' prairie includes hundreds of acres of restored and remnant Blackland Prairie.  The Burlesons' have been restoring this tallgrass prairie for decades.

We'll meet north of Temple around 9:15 a.m. and caravan to the property.   Temple is approximately 68 miles (1 hour and 30 minutes estimated drive time) away from Austin.

Contact Kirsti at kirstiharms@earthlink.net for more information and directions.

For more information about Texas prairies, check out the Native Prairies Association of Texas.

August Chapter Meeting: Pruning Native Trees

Tuesday, August 16th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jon Odgen, a local arborist specializing in native trees, will talk about pruning trees and oak wilt.

July Chapter Meeting: No Meeting

There is no chapter meeting this month (July).

June Chapter Meeting: Potluck Social

Tuesday, June 21st, 2005, 6:00pm, at the home of Pat and Dale Bulla

Come see Pat and Dale's beautiful native plant garden and natural area.  Touring of the garden will begin at 6:00pm, and the potluck will begin at 7:00pm.

Bring a pot luck dish to share with everyone!  Plates and utensils will be provided.

For directions, see this map. For more information, please email Dale Bulla at dalebulla@earthlink.net.

Field Trip: Endangered Texas Wild-Rice on the San Marcos River

Saturday May 21st, 2005, in San Marcos

Flo Oxley, Director of Plant Conservation at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will lead the chapter on a field trip of the endangered Texas Wild-rice, Zizania texana, on the San Marcos River.

RSVP required.  For more information and to RSVP, contact Jolyn Piercy at jpiercy@law.utexas.edu.

May Chapter Meeting: Water Gardening with Natives

Tuesday, May 17th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Andrea Delong-Amaya, Director of Gardens and Growing at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will speak about Water Gardening with Natives.

April Chapter Meeting: Botany Basics

Tuesday, April 19th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Learn about using keys for plant identification. Bring in mystery plants for the group to identify, and plants to swap.

For chapter officers and anyone else interested, there will be a chapter planning meeting (which anyone may attend) at 6pm before the chapter meeting.

Spring Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, April 9th and 10th, 2005, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Spring Gardening Festival and Plant Plant and Seed Sale features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Williamson County and Austin chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants and seeds.  Come by to see us and purchase some plants for your garden!

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, April 8th, 2005.

March Chapter Meeting: Nature Quest and Hill Country Natives

Tuesday, March 15th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Sage Kawecki, Executive Director of the Texas Hill Country River Region and President of the River Region NPSOT chapter, will speak about Nature Quest, a week of nature oriented events, and Hill Country native plants.

Spring Symposium: Those Other Native Texas Plants - Grasses, Ferns, Cacti & Their Allies

Saturday, February 26th, 2005, 8:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Hosted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Native Plant Society of Texas.

The Spring Symposium will include a plenary session reviewing native Texas grasses, ferns, cacti and their allies, and the use of organic gardening practices in native plant landscaping, followed by in-depth, concurrent related afternoon sessions.

Afternoon session themes will address topics on plant identification, propagation, plant rescue, species availability in the nursery trade and sustainable methods for gardening with those other Texas native plants.

For more information and registration, go to the symposium's web page

February Chapter Meeting: Austin Nature Preserves

Tuesday, February 15th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Rene Barrera, manager of the City of Austin Nature Preserves, will talk about the Austin preserve system.

January Chapter Meeting: Fungi

Tuesday, January 18th, 2005, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Flo Oxley, Director of Plant Conservation at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will speak about fungus.

December Chapter Meeting: Potluck Social and Silent Auction

Tuesday, December 14th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Please note the date change for this meeting!

This month's chapter meeting is a potluck social and silent auction.

Please bring items to donate for the silent auction, and be prepared to bid on that special item!

Bring a dish to share and enjoy with others! Drinks, plates, and utensils will be provided.

For officers, volunteers, and anyone else interested: a planning meeting will be held from 6pm to 7pm immediately before the chapter meeting.

November Chapter Meeting: A Comparison Between Texas and Wisconsin Prairies

Tuesday, November 16th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Lisa Spangler, chapter member, will present a comparison between Texas and Wisconsin prairies.  Lisa and several other chapter members attended the 2004 North American Prairie Conference which was held in Wisconsin.  She will show many photos from the conference field trips as well as photos of Texas prairies.

October: No Chapter Meeting

There is no chapter meeting for the month of October.

NPSOT 2004 Fall Symposium: The Piney Woods

Thursday, October 14th through Sunday, October 18th, 2004, in Longview, TX

This year's NPSOT Fall Symposium highlights the Piney Woods eco-region of Texas. For more information, see the NPSOT home page.

Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and 10th, 2004, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, October 8th, 2003.

The Austin and Williamson County chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants and seeds.

September Chapter Meeting: Central Texas Grasses - Getting to Know Them Up Close and Personal

Tuesday, September 21st, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. Robert Harms, Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin, will describe some of the common grasses of our area. He'll show scanned images that enable him to give a very detailed picture of them in bloom.

August Chapter Meeting: Fungi of Wild Basin

Tuesday, August 17th, 2004, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Melissa Kent will speak about the Fungi of Wild Basin. A slideshow will be followed by a hike to see fungi.

Note: This month's meeting starts at 6:30pm instead of 7pm to allow time for the hike during daylight.

July Chapter Meeting: Bring Your Mystery Plant!

Tuesday, July 20th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

This month's chapter meeting is a "bring your mystery plants" meeting. Bring in your mystery plants to identify, and also bring books and other materials to help identify plants!

June Chapter Meeting: Wild Basin Hike and Pot Luck Dinner

Tuesday, June 15th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

We will hike at Wild Basin and identify plants, then afterward we will have a pot luck dinner. Please bring a dish, dessert, or drinks!

May Chapter Meeting: Cacti and Yucca of Travis and Williamson Counties

Tuesday, May 18th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jason Spangler, Austin chapter member, will speak about the native cacti and yucca of Travis and Williamson Counties.

April Chapter Meeting: Bob Anderson on the Native Plant Movement

Tuesday, April 20th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Bob Anderson, Landscape Architect, will speak about the native plant movement and its effects on landscape architecture and municipal ordinances.

Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival

Saturday and Sunday, April 17th and 18th, 2004, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Williamson County and Austin chapters of NPSOT will have booths at the sale and will be selling plants and seeds as fund raisers.

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, April 16th, 2004.

March Chapter Meeting: Plant Propagation Roundtable

Tuesday, March 16th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

The March chapter meeting will be a round table discussion of propagating and growing native plants.  We will also hold officer elections.

February Chapter Meeting: John Dromgoole on Compost Tea

Tuesday, February 17th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

John Dromgoole, owner of The Natural Gardener and well-known proponent of organic gardening, will speak about compost tea. He will host a question and answer session as part of his program.

After the speaker, one of our discussions will concern adopting bylaws for the chapter. A draft proposal was circulated at the last meeting. Please email or bring to the meeting any feedback.

January Chapter Meeting: Austin Biodiversity Project

Tuesday, January 20th, 2004, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Speaker Kevin Anderson is Coordinator for the Center for Environmental Research at Hornsby Bend.  He will speak about the Austin Biodiversity Project, an initiative to monitor and enhance the biodiversity of the Austin area.

December Chapter Meeting: Rich Zarria

Tuesday, December 16th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Rich Zarria, a horticulturist with Native Texas Nursery, will speak about the marketing of native plants and the direction of the industry.

November Chapter Meeting: Potluck Social

Tuesday, November 18th, 2003, 5:00pm-9:00pm, at the residence of Lisa and Jason Spangler

The November chapter meeting will be a potluck social at the home of Lisa and Jason Spangler.  Please bring a dish or desert.  Come by early starting at 5pm if you wish to look at plants during the daylight.  For directions and contact information, please email Jason at jasons@wumple.com.

NPSOT Symposium 2003

Thursday through Sunday, October 16th-19th, 2003, in Fredericksburg, Texas

The NPSOT symposium is coming back to the Edwards  Plateau  in 2003 as we begin our second tour around the state.  This region was the subject of our first symposium held in Kerrville  twelve years ago.  Fredericksburg has been chosen as the site this time.

For more information, see the NPSOT Symposium 2003 pages and the NPSOT web page

Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, October 11th and 12th, 2003, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, October 10th, 2003.

October Chapter Meeting: Canceled

The October meeting is canceled due to Wild Basin Wilderness' annual Haunted Trails fund raising event.

September Chapter Meeting: Grass Identification Walk

Tuesday, September 16th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

During our September chapter meeting, we will take a grass identification walk through Wild Basin Wilderness with a plant show and tell following the hike.  Bring your interesting plant specimens and arrive at 7 p.m. sharp at the regular Wild Basin meeting room for the hike to be led by chapter members  Bring water, a hat, etc. for the walk.

August Chapter Meeting: Endangered Means There's Still Time

Tuesday, August 19th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Flo Oxley, Director of Plant Conservation at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will give a presentation entitled "Endangered Means There's Still Time" at the August chapter meeting.

July Chapter Meeting: George Altgelt of GeoGrowers

Tuesday, July 15th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

George Altgelt of GeoGrowers, a local organic soil and soil amendments company, will speak on a yet to be announced topic.

June Chapter Meeting: Rare Plants of Wild Basin Wilderness

Tuesday, June 17th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Melody Lytle, a biologist in the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, will speak about rare plants found in the Wild Basin Wilderness preserve.

May Chapter Meeting: Growing Madrone Trees in Central Texas

Tuesday, May 20th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. Robert Harms, Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin, will speak about "Growing Madrone Trees in Central Texas".

April Chapter Meeting: Mark Blumenthal

Tuesday, April 15th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Mark Blumenthal, founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council, will speak on a yet to be announced topic.

Spring Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, April 5th and 6th, 2003, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.  The Austin and Georgetown chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants and seeds.

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, April 4th, 2002.

March Chapter Meeting: Maintenance of Native Plants in the Landscape

Tuesday, March 18th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Sarah Twaddle of Greater Texas Landscapes will speak about "Maintenance of Native Plants in the Landscape."

NPSOT Spring Symposium: Historic Flora of Texas

Saturday, March 1st, 2003, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Presented by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Native Plant Society of Texas, the NPSOT Spring 2003 Symposium is entitled "Historic Flora of Texas".  See the NPSOT page and the LBJWFC page for more information and registration forms.

February Chapter Meeting: "Native Grasses and Restoration Techniques"

Tuesday, February 18th, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jay Kane of Native American Seed will talk about Native Grasses and Restoration Techniques.  Texas was once three quarters prairie, consisting of a mix of native grasses and forbs.  Attend this meeting to learn about techniques used to restore native grasses that once convered a large part of our state.

January Chapter Meeting: "Plant Show and Tell"

Tuesday, January 21st, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Several members will bring interesting native plants to the chapter meeting for a Plant Show and Tell.  Fascinating facts and propagation techniques will be discussed.  If you have an intriguing native plant and/or propagation technique to discuss, bring it to Plant Show and Tell!

December Chapter Meeting: "What Fire Does to an Ecosystem"

Tuesday, December 17th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness Daniel Dietz, a Land Steward at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and an expert in restoration, will speak about what fire does to an ecosystem.  He will also talk about how prescribed burns mimic and are different from natural fires and the short and long term effects on native plants.

November Chapter Meeting: "Butterflies and Native Plants"

Tuesday, November 19th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Coby Dinges, fellow NPSOT-Austin member, will present a program on "Butterflies and Native Plants".

October Chapter Meeting: Potluck Social and Plant Swap

Tuesday, October 15th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at the Nordstrom Residence

October's chapter meeting will be a potluck social and plant swap held at Cathy Nordstrom's residence and native plant garden.  If you wish to attend please contact Cathy Nordstrom.

Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th, 2002, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual Fall Gardening Festival and Native Plant and Seed Sale features many native plants and seeds for sale, native plant experts to answer questions, and presentations on gardening with native plants.

The Member's Preview Sale for Wildflower Center members only is Friday, October 4th, 2002, 1:00pm-7:00pm.

September Chapter Meeting: "Texas Native Cacti & Succulents and their Use in Xeriscape"

Tuesday, September 17th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

This meeting's speaker will be Dr. Bob Barth, Professor at UT-Austin in Integrative Biology and owner of Oracle Gorge Nursery in Westlake. Dr. Bob Barth will present a program entitled "Texas Native Cacti & Succulents and their Use in Xeriscape."

August Chapter Meeting: "Rare Plants in Texas"

Tuesday, August 20th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dana Price, Botanist with Texas Parks & Wildlife Wildlife Diversity Program, will speak about Rare Plants in Texas and share slides and stories from the front lines of conservation!

July Chapter Meeting: "Ashe Junipers"

Tuesday, July 16th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Elizabeth McGreevey will share information and slides from the book she is writing on Ashe Junipers (Juniperus ashei).

June Chapter Meeting: "Geology of the Hill Country"

Tuesday, June 18th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Phil Davis will present "Geology of the Hill Country" followed by a discussion amongst NPSOT members of geological factors and native plants.

May Chapter Meeting: "Texas Invisible Palms"

Tuesday, May 21st, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Landon Lockett will present a talk and slide show entitled "Texas Invisible Palms" on Tuesday, May 21 at Wild Basin. His program deals with Texas' three "kinds" of native palms: Sabal mexicana (syn. Sabal texana), Texas' only native palm-tree species; Sabal minor, the common dwarf palmetto of East and South Central Texas; and a naturally occurring and reproducing population of tree-size palms believed to be hybrids of S. mexicana and S. minor, and found only in a small area of Brazoria County.

The show will focus on the rich diversity of native Texas palms, especially those NORTH of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. (The Valley has only one native species, while 200 miles and more north of the Valley there are two species and a natural hybrid.) It will show, for example, S. minor growing amid rocks and cactus on top of a 1950 foot Hill Country ridge; a recently discovered, though thriving, wild population of S. mexicana palm trees near Victoria; an escaped population of S. mexicana now reproducing in the wild in the apple growing region of the Hill Country; and the many shapes and sizes of the Brazoria County hybrids, in the dense forest where they grow. It will also teach you how to distinguish our native S. mexicana palm trees (commonly grown here in Austin) from commonly planted exotics, and how to tell young S. mexicana from S. minor.

Landon Lockett is a retired professor of linguistics with a lifelong interest in nature and conservation. He got into native Texas palm research as part of an effort to protect the unique Brazoria County palms, and in 1994 was given the Nancy Benedict Memorial Award by the Native Plant Society of Texas for his success in that effort. He has published his research in SIDA, the journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas; in PRINCIPES, the journal of the International Palm Society; and in PALMS (formerly PRINCIPES). His current goals are to educate Texans about, and encourage them to plant, our native S. mexicana palm tree, and to restore that species to the wild along the rivers draining into the Central Coast, where Lindheimer reported it growing 157 years ago.

April Chapter Meeting: "A Question and Answer Session with Pat McNeal"

Tuesday, April 16th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Pat McNeal, owner of McNeal Growers (a wholesale nursery with an emphasis on natives), will participate in a question and answer session and also make a presentation on Streptanthus bracteatus, the Bracted Twist Flower

Spring Gardening Festival & Native Plant Sale

Saturday and Sunday, April 6th and 7th, 2002, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's bi-annual plant sale features a wide selection of native plants and seeds for the Central Texas area.  The Austin and Georgetown chapters of NPSOTwill also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants and seeds.  More infomation can be found at the Wildflower Center's event page.

March Chapter Meeting: "Alien Species Invasion"

Tuesday, March 19th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Mark Simmons, a Restoration Ecologist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will talk about alien species invasion.

Spring Symposium 2002: "Small Scale Restoration"

Saturday, February 23rd, 2002, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sponsored by NPSOT and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Spring Symposium 2002, "Small Scale Restoration", will be held at the Wildflower Center.   Speakers include Austin NPSOT member David Mahler, talking about seed harvesting, Glen Olsen (state NPSOT president) speaking about restoration projects at the Houston Arboretum, and Austin NPSOT member Mike Weisner talking about the Barton Creek Preserve.  For a full schedule and registration form, go to Symposium's website.  Co-sponsored by the Society for Ecological Restoration.

February Chapter Meeting: "Soil and Native Plant Restoration"

Tuesday, February 19th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dick and Pat Richardson, Biology professors at the University of Texas, will talk about soil and native plant restoration.

Wild Mustard Removal

Saturday, February 9th, 2002, 9:00am-12:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

We will be removing nonnative, invasive Wild Mustard at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  We will be gathering in the Volunteer Room (walk through the courtyard, turn right, pass the tower, enter the administration office building on the left, first room beyond the receptionist's desk).

January Chapter Meeting: "Water Features and Native Landscapes"

Tuesday, January 15th, 2002, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

David Mahler, a partner in Environmental Consulting Survey, will speak about "Water Features and Native Landscapes".  David helped create the Hill Country stream water feature at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

December Chapter Meeting: "Green Building with Natives"

Tuesday, December 18th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dick Peterson, Environmental Program Coordinator with Austin Energy, will speak about "Green Building with Natives".

We will also be having a holiday pot luck party, so bring a party dish (such as a desert)!

November Chapter Meeting: "Container Gardening with Native Plants"

Tuesday, November 20th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Andrea Delong-Amaya, a horticulturist with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will speak about "Container Gardening with Native Plants".

October Chapter Meeting: "Sustainable Water: a Look at Alternate Water Sources"

Tuesday, October 16th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Bill Hoffman, Program Coordinator for water conservation efforts at the City of Austin and author of "Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting", will speak about "Sustainable Water: a Look at Alternate Water Sources".  This meeting will be held in the Westview Room on the second floor.

Fall Gardening Festival Native Plant and Seed Sale

Saturday and Sunday, October 13th-14th, 2001, 9:00am-5:00pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's bi-annual plant sale features a wide selection of native plants and seeds for the Central Texas area.  The Austin and Georgetown chapters of NPSOT will also be present at booths to answer questions and to sell plants and seeds.  The Wildflower Center has published a list of plants that will be available at their Grow Native page.

September Chapter Meeting: "Bringing Soil Back to Life: Stimulating a Healthy Soil Food Web"

Tuesday, September 18th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Our speaker on Tuesday will be NPSOT member Gary Freeborg, co-owner of BioDiversity, a sustainable agriculture company.  Gary's topic will be "Bringing Soil Back to Life: Stimulating a Healthy Soil Food Web".

Summer Break: No August Chapter Meeting

No Meeting
Tuesday, August 21st, 2001

No meeting!  Summer break!

July Chapter Meeting: Pot Luck Dinner

Tuesday, July 17th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at the Bulla Residence

July's meeting is a Pot Luck Dinner at Pat and Dale Bulla's home in Jester Estates.  Their property backs up to Bull Creek Preserve, and their native landscaping merges with it beautifully.  Email the chapter president for directions.

June Chapter Meeting

Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting
Tuesday, June 19th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dick Peterson, Environmental Coordinator for Conservation at the City of Austin Water & Wastewater Department, will speak about "Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting."  If you would like information about the city's rebate program for rainwater harvesting and native plant landscaping, be sure to attend this program.

May Chapter Meeting

The Native Plant Movement
Tuesday, May 15th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Jill Nokes, author of the revised edition of "How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest" from UT Press, will speak on the native plant movement and introduce the new edition of her book.

Field Trip to Hoffmann/Comola Property

Sunday, May 6th, 2001, 1:00pm near Marble Falls

Georgetown chapter members Bev Hoffmann and Paul Comola are hosting a plant identification walk on their new acreage, Abri (French for shelter), east of Marble Falls.

The land is "typical" Texas Hill Country, complete with small waterfalls on a spring-fed creek, multiple narrow wooded canyons with seeps flowing into Double Hole creek, and open fields as well.  Abri has not been overgrazed in the recent past, so there are wonderful native grasses, along with wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.  Of the more interesting finds are a couple of old Madrones, and several young ones as well.

Bring your field guides and meet at the entrance gate to Sycamore Falls Estates.  Don't be late, or you may not be able to get past the gate!

Please note that the property contains some rough terrain and there are, at the time of this printing, no "facilities'.  Wear appropriate clothing (hiking boots, long pants, hat, sunscreen) and bring water.  You will be requested to sign a "release of liability" before entering Abri.

If you would like to preview the Sycamore Falls area, see these pages.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP with the Comola's at 931-0999.

Directions:
Abri is 40 miles from the intersection of IH35 and TX29.  Take TX HWY29 west to LIBERTY HILL.  Turn left on FM 1869.  When it dead-ends into FM1174, turn left.  When that dead-ends into FM1431, turn right (west).  Shortly past the end of the construction area where RM 1431 is being widened is Burnet CR 341. There is a sign for Sycamore Falls Estates - you will be about 5 miles east of Marble Falls.  Turn left (north) on CR 341.  Drive 2 miles to the entrance, where we will gather.

April Chapter Meeting

Guided Walk at Wild Basin Wilderness
Tuesday, April 17th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Mike Powers, Caretaker of Wild Basin Wilderness, will lead a guided walk along the trails of Wild Basin.

Field Trip to Barton Creek Habitat Preserve

Saturday, April 21st, 2001 (tentative date) at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve

Botanist Bill Carr will be leading a field trip to the Nature Conservancy's Barton Creek Habitat Preserve.  Contact Mike Weisner for more information.

Spring Gardening Festival & Native Plant Sale

Saturday and Sunday, April 7th and 8th, 2001, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has events and a variety of native plants for sale at its annual Spring Gardening Festival & Native Plant Sale.  The NPSOT Austin chapter will also have a booth selling plants, seeds, and providing information.

March Chapter Meeting

Butterflies of Central Texas
Tuesday, March 20th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dr. Molly Ogorzaly, Director of Education at Zilker Botanical Gardens, will speak about "Butterflies of Central Texas and how to attract them to your garden."

Seed and plant swap: Bring any seeds or plants that you would like to give or trade.

Spring Symposium 2001: "Native Trees in the Landscape"

Saturday, February 24th, 2001, 8:00am-5:30pm, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Co-Sponsored by the Native Plant Society of Texas and TreeFolks. Join experts in a day of workshops on native trees. Topics range from identifying trees to propagating, planting and landscaping with these versatile native species. The information is varied and useful for horticulturists and homeowners alike.

Fees: $35 for symposium; $15 for optional workshops. For more information on the symposium and registration information, see this page or call 512/292-4200 ext. 109.

February Chapter Meeting

Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife
Tuesday, February 20th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Mark Klym, Wildscapes Coordinator for Texas Parks & Wildlife, will talk about "Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife."

Landscaping With Native Plants

Saturday, January 20th, 2001, 10:00am-3:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

As part of its Family Trail Days series (3rd Saturday of each month), the Austin chapter of NPSOT will join Wild Basin Preserve in co-sponsoring a day of native plant programs and events.  Throughout the day there will be exhibits and displays in the Hall, speakers and demonstrations, booksignings, activities for children, and native plant and seed sales supplied by members of NPSOT and volunteers from Wild Basin.

Contact Carol Knepp (carolk@wildbasin.org, 327-7622)  or David Heberling (HeberNPSOT@aol.com) for more information or if you would like to be involved in putting on the event.

January Chapter Meeting

Using Ferns in the Native Landscape
Tuesday, January 16th, 2001, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Dan Hosage, owner of Madrone Nursery in San Marcos, will be talking about using ferns in the native landscape.  Dan's programs are always enlightening and entertaining.  His last program about the genus Prunus was a real hit. Don't miss it.  Bring a guest or two or three.

December Chapter Meeting and Potluck Dinner

Landscape Use and Maintenance of Native Trees
Tuesday, December 19th, 2000, 7:00 pm at Wild Basin Wilderness

Our speaker this month will be Jon Odgen.  Jon is a certified arborist who has operated his own firm for many years.  He will be talking about the use and maintenance of native trees in the landscape.

Along with Jon's presentation, we will be having a Christmas potluck dinner.  Please bring a dish to share.  Soft drinks and juices will be provided, though you can bring your own beer or wine if you wish.  Visitors and guests are very welcome.

If anyone would like to come an hour early to help set up, the help would be appreciated.  If you have questions, contact David Heberling at 512-376-5785  or email HeberNPSOT@aol.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS