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

 JUNE NEWSLETTER - 2006

 NATIVES ON THE GROW
Dedicated to the understanding, preservation and enjoyment of the native flora of the Hill Country  

PHOTOGRAPHING WILDFLOWERS FOR THE VIRTUAL HERBARIUM

 Fred Snidow will share his expertise in plant photography at the June meeting of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Kerrville Chapter (NPSOT-KC).  The program will include special techniques for photographing wildflowers and will highlight photographs and information included in Riverside Nature Center’s Virtual Herbarium.  The meeting will be held at Riverside Nature Center (RNC) Tuesday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m.  Guests, visitors and photography enthusiasts are especially invited to attend this meeting. 

The Virtual Herbarium is a computer based resource developed to provide information about Hill Country Native Plants.  Nearly 2000 plant photographs submitted by 20 photographers are now available on the database.  The Virtual Herbarium is sponsored by NPSOT, RNC, and Master Naturalists.             

After many years as an enthusiastic photographer, Fred became especially interested in plant photography after becoming totally transfixed by all the native wildflowers growing at his Hill Country home.  He has spent hundreds of hours working out the best photographic techniques to portray each plant as clearly as possible for visitors to the Virtual Herbarium.  Fred will share his experiences and knowledge about photographing native plants, especially wildflowers, at this meeting. 

Raul Peña will also discuss the progress of the Virtual Herbarium database. Anyone interested in helping with research or photography for this exciting project may contact either Raul Peña at raul@penasco.net or Barbara Lowenthal beltex@ktc.com.

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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.  If you have any questions about the Native Plant Society of Texas, or this program, please call Cynthia Johnson at 895-5173.

 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

 The field trip to the Pena Ranch was delightful. To hike areas that have never been grazed and be able to view unusual trees, wildflowers and shrubs was awe inspiring. Sandy and Raul know their property so well as they walk it every day and are able to point out plants in bloom  and unusual shrubs. Thank you both so much for being such gracious hosts  and best wishes for the speedy completion of your wonderous new home.

The rains have come and the plants are relishing the moisture and showing lush green foliage. The wildflowers are spiking up from stunted growth and even reblooming. Basketflower, Centaurea americana, totally confused by the unseasonal  very hot spell, is now blooming much earlier than usual. Engelmann Daisy ,Engelmannia pinnatifida, is blossoming in joyous profusion. White gaura, Gaura lindheimeri, is  waving it’s tall flowering stems above  “the crowd” as if to say “look at me!” It is however outdone by the Standing Cypress, Ipomopsis rubra, haughtily demanding attention with bright red tips above fernlike foliage.

On the small side, Snake-herb, Dyschoriste linearis, is gradually extending its’ ground cover and looking charming with small lavender flowers. Another small plant is Tube–tongue, Siphonoglossa pilosella, which also has lavender to pink flowers and can be used as a border plant.

So many flowers to choose from. Enjoy!                                                                                                                         Julia Campbell

 NPSOT - KC Officers for 2006-2007

 The election of officers for 2006-2007 for the Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas was held at the May meeting.  Next years officers are:

                                    President ----------------- Sandra Magee
                                    VP Programs ------------ Edna Platte
                                    VP Outreach ------------- Shannon Smith
                                    Treasurer ----------------- Jerry Brown
                                    Secretary ----------------- Nina Wagner
                                    Communications ------- Marilyn Butcher
                                    Membership ------------- Cynthia Johnson
                                    Director ------------------- Scott Magee

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.

 Calendar

 Monday, May 22

    Organization:  Texas Master Naturalist – Hill Country Chapter monthly meeting
    Location: Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos, Kerrville.
    Time:  7:00 PM
    Topic: Roles and Responsibilities of Texas Cooperative Extension Agents
    Speaker: Roy Walston

May 24-28: Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference – Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches.       

    For more information, visit http://pnpc.sfasu.edu. 

Saturday, May 27: Hill Country Master Gardeners plant sale

    Kerr County Market Days at Kerr County Courthouse, 9:00am–4:00pm. 

Tuesday, May 30

    Organization:  Native Plant Society of Fredericksburg
    Location: Gillespie County Historical Society Bldg., 312 W. San Antonio St.
    Time:  7:00 PM

Tuesday, June 6

    Organization:  Native Plant Society-Kerrville Chapter (See above)

Tuesday, June 6

  Organization:  Native Plant Society – Boerne Chapter
  Location:  Cibolo Nature Center, Highway 46 east of Boerne
   Time:  7:00 PM

   WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER(S)

  Ida Luckey

 Thanks to all those that renewed their memberships.
See membership information above.

 DOOR PRIZES

Door prizes will be available at our June meeting.  Each member or guest who signs in at the welcoming table will receive a free ticket for a door prize.  Be sure to pot up those native plants for donations for the June meeting!  

 Please send any suggestions or comments on this newsletter to the Editor:  John Quinby at jsquinby@hctc.net or 367-4612.

 Officers and Board Members – 2005-2006

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