NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS
Kerrville Chapter
Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

February 2007

 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) at Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St. in Kerrville.  These meetings are free and open to the public

 FEBRUARY 6, 2007   RIVERSIDE NATURE CENTER    2:00 PM

Natives Instead of Common Exotics

Natives Instead of Common Exotics (NICE!), a project created by members of the Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT), will be discussed by founders of N.I.C.E! at the February meeting of NPSOT, Kerrville Chapter.  The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6 at Riverside Nature Center in Kerrville.

The purpose of N.I.C.E! is to increase both the supply and demand for Texas native plants. NPSOT, the parent of N.I.C.E!, promotes the conservation, research and utilization of the native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.  The Mission of N.I.C.E! is to save water, save money, nurture wildlife and choose “Hill Country Natural” plants to preserve the hill country heritage and habitat. 

The N.I.C.E! program centers on a native plant of the month.  Members of NPSOT, Boerne Chapter cooperate with wholesalers and local nurseries to identify a plant of the month, obtain a supply of this plant to sell through local retailers and the Cibolo Nature Center’s plant sale and to publicize the plant.  To date, there have been almost 40 plants of the month.  Detailed information about propagation, watering and the landscape use of the plant of the month is widely distributed.  This information is available at nurseries, through newspaper articles, the NPSOT website and at the Cibolo Nature Center.  The plant of the month program has been a very successful program for local nurseries and to make the community aware of the importance and use of native plants.

Rebecca Rogers of Boerne, co-chairman of N.I.C.E! will present the program.  Rebecca is the County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.  Suzanne Young, one of the founders of N.I.C.E! will also participate in the discussion.

 The February program will be an opportunity to discover a successful method to promote native Hill Country plants in the community and as well as learn more about the importance of native plants.  As usual, visitors, guests and everyone who is interested plants in the Texas Hill Country is encouraged to attend this meeting.  So bring your friends, neighbors and acquaintances!

 Important reminder: Please bring native plants for the drawing. Thus is really fun when we have a large number of plants.

Not sure it’s a native……Bring for discussion and PPID( Positive Plant Identification)

Thanks go to Carolyn Pepping and Julia Campbell for providing the refreshments for the February Meeting

 Looking ahead

 Other Kerrville Chapter Programs Planned for 2007

March 6             Bill Carr, senior botanist, with Texas Nature Conservancy

April & May        Fabulous Field Trips & More

 Additional Opportunities

The Library Garden Project Begins Again!

 The Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society has accepted the responsibility for its development and maintenance.  Members meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 9:00 to spend an hour or two to keep this garden looking great. 

Date:  Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 9:00-1:00 depending upon amount of work to be done
Place: Meet at Library Gardens

Mark Your Calendar for Earth Day 2007   APRIL 21   Riverside Nature Center

The Kerrville NPSOT Chapter is doing the Plant Sale again and helpers are needed.

If you can help call: Shannon Smith, Cynthia Johnson, or Scott and Sandra Magee.

Grants for Projects that Promote Native Plants   

Over the past few years the Kerrville Chapter has given grants to local projects, which promote the use of native plants.  Last year, our grants to local organizations included:

*B.T. Wilson 6th Grade School for the creation of a “wildscape” to be planted and maintained by students

*Riverside Nature Center for signs identifying trees/shrubs/flowers, plus purchase of plants with any funds remaining

*Kerrville Schreiner Park Butterfly Garden for purchase of plants

Your board members have been working on a grant application form.  Our objective is to update and restructure the grant process without adding unnecessary paperwork.  We’ll have a copy of the new form at the February meeting and can make an electronic version available, as well.  If you have any comments or would like additional information, please contact Sandra Magee or any of the other board members.  

NPSOT has Special Opportunity to Promote Native Plants in Landscaping

Landscaping is being planned for the new Dietert Senior Center. Landscape Architect, John Leonard, has invited the Kerrville NPSOT Chapter to review plans and offer suggestions for how to use native plants to best advantage. Members are responding with knowledge and enthusiasm.

 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.

 A number of folks renewed their memberships this month. Many thanks to all.
See membership information above.

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