NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS
KERRVILLE CHAPTER

Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

 March, 2009

 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

 March Meeting

Ask the Native Plant Experts

 Bring your questions about Native Plants to our distinguished panelists*

to the Native Plant Society of Texas

Kerrville Chapter, meeting.

 Riverside Nature Center
Tuesday March 3, 2:00 pm

 Everyone is invited to attend.

*Panelists are Priscilla Stanley, Barbara Lowenthal, Fay Drozd and Scott Magee.

Ed Stach, an experienced  discussion leader and Kerrville Cactus Club member, will moderate the panel.

Reminder If you come to the RNC from the south, the Lemos Bridge remains closed.

President’s Message

The panel discussion at the March meeting should be fun and a good opportunity for new people to attend the meeting.  Many people move here and   have to learn about new plants and how to care for them.  This is their opportunity to get some of their questions answered.

 Mark April 17 and 18 on your calendar for the Earth Day plant sale at Riverside Nature Center (RNC).  RNC and NPSOT members have first choice of the native plants on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  On Saturday April 18, the sale and the Earth Day celebration begin at 8:00 am.  

Proceeds from this sale are split between NPSOT and RNC, providing funds for native plant projects and for rewriting and distributing the newly revised Native Plants for Landscaping in the Texas Hill Country booklet. 

 Helpers are needed for the plant sale, the NPSOT information table and other Earth Day activities

 NPSOT has a newly revised website at www.npsot.org. Please take a look at it.  It really looks great.

Let’s all wish and pray for rain this spring and summer.. 

Edna Platte

Volunteers Needed for Earth Day

An Open Letter to all Members

Dear NPSOT-Kerrville Chapter members,
As you know, our chapter is co-sponsoring, with Riverside Nature Center,  the Earth Day Celebration & Native Plant Sale at Riverside Nature Center in April.  The Pre-sale for Riverside and Native Plant Society of Texas – Kerrville Chapter members is on Friday, April 17 and the public event is on Saturday, April 18.  This is our chapter’s only annual fundraiser to support our program expenses and grants.
 
This event requires over 120 volunteers so we need your help.  The Native Plant Sale helps us educate many people on the benefits and attractiveness of native plants.  We also help them select the right plant for their growing conditions so they can be successful with their native plants.
 
There are many different volunteer opportunities available in the attached table.  We especially need Plant Cashiers (page 3) and members to staff our NPSOT table (top of page 5) to help the public become better acquainted with our organization
 
We need volunteers where ever there is a number followed by a blank space on the table. This includes Setting Up for the event on Friday.  On Saturday, we need folks to help in the Parking lot finding parking spaces for visitors. We need volunteers to Greet Visitors and let them know where and when various activities are.  We need help selling Refreshments on the side porch of the Visitor Center and assistance with the all-day Kids Nature Activities.  

To volunteer, please respond to me with the day (Fri or Sat), the task you prefer, and the time slot(s).  If your plans change before the event, just let me know and we will find another volunteer.  Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Priscilla Stanley
NPSOT member
For the Earth Day Planning Committee

830-257-2094

jpbstan@ktc.com

  A Reminder
PLANT DONATIONS FOR THE NATIVE PLANT SALE

 Your donated plants are very important for the success of the spring and fall plant sales at Riverside Nature Center. Donating your plants also gives you the opportunity enjoy sharing your extra plants with others.

 Please review these guidelines before donating your plants.

    ·               Native plants are preferred, but we also sell well-behaved, adaptive plants.

 ·               Please put your plant in a pot at least several months before the plant sale so its roots have time to fill the pot before it is sold.

 ·               Pot sizes are generally 4 inch, 1 quart, 1 gallon, 2 gallon and 5 gallon and the pots should be appropriate for the size of the plant.

 ·               Please keep your plants healthy and happy.  Healthy plants make buyers happy so they will return for our next sale.

 ·               Please write down the name of the plant if you know it and attach it firmly to the pot.

 ·               Please bring your plants to the Riverside Nature Center pavilion from Tuesday through Thursday before the April 17 and 18 Plant Sale.  There will be a signup sheet on the table by the pavilion entrance.  If you leave your name and address and list your plants, Riverside will send you a donor letter for your plants.

 Thank you very much for helping our Plant Sale.

For more information contact the plant sale co-chairs:

 Edna Platte                                        Priscilla Stanley

257-2185                                           pjbstan@ktc.com

platte@ktc.com

  Library Garden

 Library Garden Party Days will be held the second Tuesday of the month (March 10) from 9:00 to 11:00 am. The Library Garden, located behind Butt-Holdsworth Public Library, qualifies for Master Naturalist and Master Gardeners volunteer hours.  Please join us to make the area beautiful for the spring.

 It’s That time Again   Nominating Committee Formed

The following people have agreed to serve as the nominating committee.

 Marilyn Butcher        238-4513            marilynb@hctc.net
 Linda Smith             895-8610             lsmith59@stx.rr.com
 Diane McMahon       896-3195            jmcmahon@stx.rr.com

 A report will be forthcoming.

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.

See membership information above.

Please support our sponsors!

DO YOU NEED A NPSOT NAME TAG?

Some new members do not have a nametag. Some members have misplaced their nametag.  Nametags are kept at RNC and brought out for each NPSOT meeting. If you do not have a nametag, please contact the VP-Membership, Mike Mecke mmecke@stx.rr.com or 830-896-0805 so we can make you one.