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

May 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

 May 1, Next Tuesday

Kerr Wildlife Management Area and

Headwaters of the North Fork of the Guadalupe River

The Native Plant Society will visit Kerr Wildlife Management Area (KWMA) on Tuesday, May 1. As a special attraction the relatively unknown main headwaters spring of the North Fork of the Guadalupe River will also be visited.

NPSOT members and friends will meet at 2:00 p.m. at KWMA for an illustrated presentation in the classroom by Dale Proschaska, Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks and Recreation Department. He will discuss the ecology, challenges and successes of KWMA.  We will then do a short driving trip with stops in the Wildlife Area and finally cross FM1340 to see the main headwaters spring for the North Fork of the Guadalupe River. The total program will last about two hours.  Dale tells wonderful stories about everything we will see. With all the rain we have this spring the flowers and other vegetation will be abundant and diverse.

The origin of the North Fork of the Guadalupe River is outstanding and not generally seen by visitors. KWMA is part of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. If you have never toured the Kerr Wildlife Management Area with a guide, this is one of the most interesting places in Kerr County. This is your opportunity to learn a lot about Kerr County and the interrelationship of buffalo, cattle, deer, birds and plants that lived or still live in this rugged area of the Texas Hill Country.

How do I get there?

It’s easy to find. Take Highway 29 to Ingram and then continue on Highway 39 to Hunt. Turn right on FM 1340. KWMA is located 7 miles west of Hunt on Highway 1340, past Mo Ranch. The Wildlife Preserve is clearly marked.  It requires 45 minutes to 1 hour to drive from Riverside Nature Center to KWMA.  If you prefer not to drive by yourself, an informal car pool will leave Riverside Nature Center at 1:00.

Good walking shoes will be necessary and mosquito spray is suggested. Call Edna Platte at 257-2185 for more information.

We hope to see you and your friends on May 1.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2007-2008
 As announced at the April meeting, the nominations for chapter officers for 2007-2008 are:
President – Sandra Magee
VP – Programs – Cynthia Johnson
VP – Outreach – Jo Hodge
Secretary – Edna Platte
Treasurer – Jerry Brown
Membership – Linda Smith
Communications – Marilyn Butcher
Director-at-Large – Scott Magee
 
Election will be held at the May meeting.  Thanks again to nominating committee members Barbara Lowenthal and Priscilla Stanley.
 

Earth Day Celebration and Native Plant Sale

A SUCCESSFUL EARTH DAY PLANT SALE!!!!!!

Many thanks to all of you who helped with this year’s Earth Day Celebration and Native Plant Sale, cosponsored by Riverside Nature Center. While we don’t have the final profit number yet, we were almost sold out by 11am on Saturday morning.  The only plants remaining at the end of the day were a few donations, so we sold all of the plants purchased from our suppliers.  
Thanks to all for a successful 2007 fundraiser!!!!  
 

Looking ahead

Other Kerrville Chapter Programs Planned for 2007

June:  Butterflies and How to Attract Them   presented by Tom Collins

 Additional Opportunities

 Library Garden Project

The Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society has accepted the responsibility for its development and maintenance. 

(This is an approved service project for those working with the Master Naturalists.) 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 Garden

Riverside Nature Center     Bamburger Ranch Presentation

May 12 at 3:00

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER

Cindy Anderson 

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.

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