NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS
Kerrville Chapter

Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

MAY NEWSLETTER - 2006
 NATIVES ON THE GROW
Dedicated to the understanding, preservation and enjoyment of the native flora of the Hill Country

 FIELD TRIP TO PEÑA’S LAND
(Please read all of this if you may be a carpool driver)

A members only field trip to Sandy and Raul Peña’s home, which is located about 5 miles from Center Point, is scheduled for the Tuesday, May 2 meeting of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Kerrville Chapter.  This meeting is for NPSOT members only and possibly one guest. 

Members will meet at 1:15 p.m. at Riverside Nature Center to arrange carpools.  We will leave RNC at 1:30 p.m. so we can meet at the Pena's for the 2 p.m. hike.  PARKING IS VERY LIMITED SO PLEASE CARPOOL.

You will be walking up to half a mile on hilly uneven terrain during the field trip so please wear sturdy walking shoes and wear a hat for protection from the sun. 

Sandy and Raul describe their land and the highlights of the field trip as follows:

 “We bought our land (33 acres) in 1995, with the goal of land stewardship to preserve and enhance habitat for wildlife, while giving ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren a place to experience the wonders of nature. Over the years we have planted over 250 trees representing 56 species. We have thrilled to the discovery of more than 200 species of wildflowers and native grasses on our land. This habitat attracts a multitude of wildlife, ranging from ring-tailed cats to golden-cheeked warblers. We feel incredibly lucky to live here and experience a small piece of such a rich ecosystem here in the Hill Country.

We look forward to showing everyone the different habitats found on our land, from the deep soils down by our seasonal creek to the rocky, steep, open areas on the slopes and top of the hill. The trail we will take is a bit steep in places, so please wear sturdy shoes. In early May, our American Smoke-Trees should be in bloom, as well as our Rusty Black-haw Viburnum. Some of the wildflowers we are likely to see are the Wand Psoralea, Purple Prairie Clover, Prairie Paintbrush, Rock Flax, Scarlet Gaura, Plateau and Pearl Milkweed vines, Lindheimer's Morning Glory, and Blue Gilia.

As many of you know, we are building our own house with the goal of maximizing energy conservation. We'll be glad to show you the techniques we are using to achieve that, as well as our rainwater collection system.” 

Driving Instructions from Kerrville:  Take Hwy. 27 to Center Point.  Turn right at the blinking light onto Hwy. 480. Go about 2.5 miles and then, just past the second bridge, turn left onto Witt Road (there is a road sign at that corner).  Stay on Witt Road for about 2.5 miles. The Peña’s drive is on the left side at 718 Witt Rd.  The entrance has both an American and a Texas flag on the gate posts.   

The driveway to our home is steep, not recommended for cars with very low clearance.  This road is ok for most standard sedans such as a Camry but a very low clearance car such as a BMW cannot navigate the road.

Please contact Edna Platte 257-2185 if you need more information.

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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

 I hope you didn’t miss it. Another huge, successful plant sale. And what wonderful cooperation was had from our member volunteers. The greatest kudos however go to Priscilla Stanley who chaired this event and dedicated so much time to this effort. Priscilla had lists of so many desirable native plants to select on her buying trips with Andy Pesez as they scoured various nurseries scattered all over the area. Some plants most wished for are not even carried in the nurseries but many special and rare plants were obtained for this sale. Along with plants obtained by John Quinby and John Farmer in additional nurseries, a great variety of native plants were available for members and the public alike. Of course Priscilla has a secret weapon. She has a hardworking, interested and knowledgeable husband, Jim Stanley, by her side for this challenging endeavor.

A very helpful aide for buyers is the colorful picture of the plant in bloom along with descriptions of preferences as to sun, shade or moisture which are posted in front of each plant by Priscilla.

It takes many volunteers to accomplish such a big effort. Many thanks go to volunteer coordinators Selma Gibson and Joyce Sandlin and to all the cashiers, docents, assistants with carry-out and watering. Thanks you all folks.

It is monies made from this annual plant sale that enables our chapter to give grants to worthy causes in our community. One such grant for $1000 was just made to our State Organization to defray the costs of a move from Georgetown to Fredericksburg. You are invited to stop in and visit our new home office at 320 West San Antonio Street.
                                                                                                                         Julia Campbell

Election of officers for 2006-2007

The election of officers for 2006-2007 for the Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will be held at the May meeting at the Pena’s.  The slate consists of the following:

                                     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

 Tuesday, April 25

    Organization:  Native Plant Society of Fredericksburg
    Location: Gillespie County Historical Society Bldg., 312 W. San Antonio St.
    Time:  7:00 PM
    Topic: An Overview of the Fbg Middle School Horticulture Program
    Speaker: Tim Shipman and students

 May 1-7: National Wildflower Week – Various activities at locations around Texas and the US. See http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=118 for details.

 Tuesday, May 2

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

 Tuesday, May 2

    Organization:  Native Plant Society – Boerne Chapter
    Location:  Cibolo Nature Center, Highway 46 east of Boerne
     Time:  7:00 PM
    Topic: Book signing and presentation on native grasses & photography
    Speaker: Brian Loflin, commercial photographer. 

 May 24-28: Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference – Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches. For more information, visit http://pnpc.sfasu.edu.

 WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER(S)

  Rebecca Howard

Linda Smith   

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

 DOOR PRIZES

Door prizes will not be available at our May meeting but will be available at the 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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