NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS

Kerrville Chapter

Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

NATIVES ON THE GROW

Dedicated to the understanding, preservation and enjoyment of the native flora of the Hill Country

The Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas holds monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month (September through June), 2:00 P.M. at Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St. in Kerrville.  These meetings are free and open to the public

December, 2007

The December NPSOT, Kerrville will be held on Tuesday, December 4 at 2:00 pm at the Riverside Nature Center.

Deer Problems?

Program Title: Overabundance of White-tailed Deer: Impacts and Current Solutions

Rufus Stephens with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

High numbers of white-tailed deer are taking a toll on our native plants.  Rufus Stephens, wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will cover some of the impacts of white-tailed deer on the native plant community, current population trends and what solutions exist to manage this challenging situation.

Important Points from the November Program

The  November 6, 2007,  program on  Firewise Landscaping by Jan Fulkerson, Urban Wildland Interface Specialist from the Texas Forest Service was timely and most informative. The following is a quick review of some major points:

*When landscaping, it is important to minimize “ladder fuels” close to the house. “Ladder fuels” provide ready fuel to keep a fire spreading. Some common “ladder fuels” in our area are rosemary, pampa grass, other high growing native grasses,cedar and pine trees. While most of these have a place in native landscaping, planting with possible fire danger in mind is an intelligent approach. The fire danger this year is especially high because the spring rains provided an unprecedented growth of native grasses.

*Keep fireplaces clean and place spark arresters on chimneys.

*Don’t hesitate to call the fire department any time you see smoke.

* Trim up your cedars.

*Follow the burn ban rules!

Remember: 93% of all fires in Texas have a human cause.

KERRVILLE NPSOT PROVIDES GRANT TO INGRAM MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Ingram Middle School was awarded $500 to use toward establishing a native prairie area adjacent to the Tom Moore High School in Ingram. This demonstration project will provide students with an understanding of the native ecology of this region and help explore the possibilities of maintaining some native prairie area as urbanization marches forward in this area of west Kerr County.

Library Gardens

The Library Garden Project will begin again next spring.

EARTH DAY, 2008

The local Earth Day celebration is a joint effort between the Riverside Nature Center and the Native Plant Society. Edna Platt will be the NPSOT coordinator for the 2008 event. Please be prepared to offer your help.

Plant Brochure Update

A committee has been formed to update the Native Plant Brochure. Many folks have been asking for this, so it is on its way.

Special thanks to Cynthia Johnson for the November meeting refreshments.

Helpful hints about membership dues

Membership dues cannot be accepted locally.  They must be sent to the State Office which is now in Fredericksburg at the following address.

Native Plant Society of Texas

P.O. Box 3017

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

The membership form is available at chapter meetings and the NPSOT website www.npsot.org.

When completing the form please indicate the Kerrville chapter name because our chapter gets refunded a portion of the dues for our chapter expenses.

If you are renewing your membership, please send your renewal to the address above and include your membership ID to ensure we credit the correct account.
Also include any address, phone or email changes.
(You will find your membership ID printed on the mailing label of the state newsletter.)

Membership Categories and Annual Dues:

Benefits of Joining the Native Plant Society of Texas

Goals:

    To educate both its members and the general public and to foster a greater awareness and understanding of our native flora;
    To preserve rare and endangered species and their habitats;
    To encourage landscaping with appropriate native plants, for their beauty, ease of maintenance, and water-conserving qualities;
    To protect, conserve and restore native plants threatened by development;
    To encourage the responsible propagation of native plants;
    To promote an appreciation and understanding of current, historical and potential uses of native plants.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO RENEWED MEMBERSHIPS

See membership information above.

Please support our sponsors!