NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS

Kerrville Chapter
Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

 October, 2006 Newsletter

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

 October 3, 2006

              OCTOBER MEETING IS TRIP TO MAGEE’S PROPERTY

A members only field trip to Scott and Sandra Magee’s home, located north of Medina, approximately 25 miles from Riverside Nature Center, is scheduled for the Tuesday, October 3, meeting of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Kerrville Chapter.  This meeting is for NPSOT members only and is limited to one guest per member.

Members will meet at 1:00 p.m. at Riverside Nature Center to arrange carpools. We will leave RNC at 1:15 p.m. so we can meet at the Magee’s by 2 p.m.  PARKING IS VERY LIMITED SO PLEASE CARPOOL.  ALSO, THE MAGEE’S ENTRANCE GATE MUST REMAIN CLOSED BECAUSE OF THEIR NEIGHBOR’S LOOSE LIVESTOCK.  WE WILL ARRANGE TO HAVE THE GATE OPEN FOR THE CARPOOLS’ ENTRY.   If you are unable to carpool and will be driving on your own, please let us know and we’ll arrange access for you. The Magee’s phone number is 830-589-7549 and their email is smagee@wireweb.net

The Magee property covers 78 acres.  Approximately half of the property is old  field or cropland in a creek floodplain.  The upland portion of the property is savanna grasslands and is partially forested with juniper, oak, and other hardwoods such as cherry and Texas madrone.  A draw to Benton Creek in the upland portion of the property hosts riparian communities dominated by junipers. 

Since purchasing the property in 1998, the Magees have worked to restore native plants, grasses, and trees on the property.  They have identified more than 120 species growing natively on the property and have introduced more than 70 new species through planting and seeding.

There will be some walking over uneven terrain.  Please wear good shoes and a hat for sun protection.

Driving Instructions from Kerrville:  Take Hwy 16 south toward Medina.  Just beyond the Benton Crossing of the Medina River, turn left on Benton Creek Road.  Just beyond the 4th cattle guard, there will be a black iron entrance gate on the left.  Address is 1663 and is posted on the fence.  

Any other questions?  Contact Edna Platte 257-2185, platte@ktc.com.

Looking ahead

 Other Kerrville Chapter Programs Planned for 2006-07

 November 7      Susan Sander with the Texas Forest Service will talk about native trees.
 December 5      Flo Oxley with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin
 January 2          Speaker not determined
 February 6        Suzanne Young with N.I.C.E. (Natives Instead of Exotics)
 March 6             Bill Carr, senior botanist, with Texas Nature Conservancy

 Additional Opportunities

Sat.   Oct 14, 2006
 8:00am-3:00pm

Native Plant Sale and Nature Fair

 Co-sponsored by the Riverside Nature Center and the Texas Master Naturalists - Hill Country Chapter

Activities will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.  First and foremost, there will be an exciting plant sale with mostly native plants available for purchase (some hard to find plants)! There will be NO early membership sale so come early to get the plants and trees you need, as many of plants will sell out quickly! Knowledgeable docents and plant experts will be available to answer plant-related questions. There will also be a Nature Fair with nature-related displays and informative presentations!

Please come join us at this fantastic event where there will be something for everyone who is interested in plants and nature!

October 19-22    NPSOT Annual Meeting and Fall Symposium    See NPSOT website for full details

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Library Gardens Workdays Set

The second Wednesday of each month has been designated as the regular workday to take care of the gardens at the library.

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

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 expense

 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.

 WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

Sandy Martin

Cindy and Ed Fort

Mr. & Mrs. R.G. Thorn

Bernie & Eileen Block

Patsy Anne & Larry Newbolt

Kenneth & Ramona Wood

Don Simons

Thanks to all those that renewed their memberships.

See membership information above.

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