Activity Report - 2007
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Boerne NPSOT Chapter Activity Report - 2007 |
Focused this year on finding ways to reach out & involve the younger generation and engage other community resources & organizations as collaborators & co-sponsors in projects:
Newly formed Education Committee has been in contact with the Boerne ISD and offered 3 faculty workshops & materials for science curriculum.
Globe Workshop: scheduled in October, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (see www.globe.gov), a worldwide school-based science and education program.
Nature Education Box: collaborated with the CNC to provide training for science teachers in the use of boxed materials grouped by theme. Chapter members also donated funds to purchase the themed Wildflower Box.
Science Award: Created our own award for the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The winner was given a book on native flora and an invitation to present his/her poster at a meeting. A resource page is under construction for our website (www.npsot.org/Boerne) to help other chapters pursue creating their own local award.
Nice! Natives Instead of Common Exotics! Going strong for six years, we continue to field questions from other chapters. Our website provides all of our past plant care sheets and guidelines for starting a program.
Almost-Native-Plant Sale: a fundraiser and outreach event. Members have formed a new group to grow hard-to-obtain native plants for future plant sales.
Kendall County Outdoor Family Fun Fair: members helped children plant bluebonnets, play the "name that wildflower" game and talk to the public about the merits of native plants at this annual event.
Boy Scout Troop Grass Restoration Project: a cosponsored activity with the CNC in May.
Presentations: (3) about our programs were given to local community clubs and Kendall County schools.
Boerne Public Library (BPL) Youth Demonstration Garden: a project in the planning stages to be funded by a Captain Planet Grant in conjunction with the Friends of the BPL. We will serve as advisors on a water-wise native garden at the BPL.
Sign On Harvest Moon a book-signing and art event: A huge community-outreach event planned for Sept 28th. Authors of popular native-plant books and artists of native flora will join us along with a buffet dinner and silent auction. This event has been exclusively funded with community sponsorship.
All events are publicized in two local newspapers, often with photographs to increase public awareness of our activities. In addition, our chapter has a bi-monthly column Native Grown in the Boerne Star. Our monthly chapter newsletter is online and is sent to maple awardees, nearby NPSOT chapters and Texas Master Naturalists (TMN) groups. Our website is robust and serves as a wonderful resource web-wide thanks to member Bob Rogers.
Demonstration Garden: We continue to plant and tend demonstration plantings in Boerne and at CNC. Workdays serve as examples in proper methods of maintaining and planting natives. Hours are approved for TMN credit.
Special Plant Rescue: rescue at the NW Vista College in partnership with the TMN. Hundreds of plants were saved for replanting at various public locations.
Tour of Yards: A huge success in 2006, this event was attended by over 200 people from Boerne and the surrounding areas. This year again, we collaborated with the CNC and expanded the tour hours to feature 10 member yards on Sept. 29th. Donations from area restaurants have provided funding for this event.
Big Tooth Maple Project: Funding has been renewed for another year! Under the leadership of Suzanne Young, countless hours have been spent ensuring the success of this program. A BTM float rolled down Main Street in the Kendall County Labor Day Parade as members distributed brochures to hundreds of parade spectators. Over 200 people attended an awards ceremony, tree care & planting demonstration and pancake breakfast on Nov. 4, 2006. Out of almost 200 applicants, 126 maples were awarded to Boerne residents and businesses. Over 20 members who serve as mentors & monitors keep in continual contact with awardees. Our November meeting with Baxter Adams was 'standing room only' with over 80 in attendance. The success of this program has taught us the value of working with other organizations to achieve a goal. The publicity surrounding this program has increased public interest and awareness of a valuable Texas native. So far, over 30 applications have been received for 2007 awards. In October, nurseryman & member, Chuck Janzow will present a program on the culture of the BTM and propagating BTM from seed.