Dates: The fourth Thursday of: January -- June, and August -- October.
Time: 6:30 for socialization and viewing of educational displays, 7:00 p.m. for start of meeting.
Place: The Ann Stuart Science Complex which is just to the north of Texas Street at the Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas.
Social time: First floor atrium in the Ann Stuart Science Complex at 6:30 p.m..Meeting: Room 251 in the Ann Stuart Science Complex at 7 p.m.
There is an elevator to the second floor a short way down the hallway
on the north side of the atrium.
Parking: On meeting nights we will be allowed to park in the visitors parking area, on the lane in front of the building (in designated parking spots), in the parking lots to the south of the building, or in the parking lot on the west side of Oakland Street, just south of the Human Resources building.
Maps and Directions
April 25, 2013
Speaker: Courtney Blevins of the Texas Forestry Service..
Topic: “Urban Forestry and Citizen Foresters.” Blevins
said, “Urban forestry presents a lot of challenges due to constant new
development and the fast population growth across north Texas.”
Blevins is a graduate of Texas A & M University, and four years ago
he received the award of Arborist of the Year. He has presented
many programs on all aspects of forestry as well as leading nature
hikes and organizing the Citizen Forester Program for the Forest
Service.
March 28, 2013
Speaker: Cathy Lustgarden.
Topic: Tour of the Zumwalt Prairies in North-East Oregon.
Oregon's largest privately owned nature sanctuary lies within the
Zumwalt Prairie, North America's largest remaining grassland of its
type.
The Zumwalt Prairie grassland system remains largely intact unlike most
other prairies in North America. This fact can be attributed to
its high elevation, harsh climate, and poor soils which made
agriculture difficult. Because most of the Zumwalt Prairie
escaped the plow, much of the important habitat remains for the plants
and animals.
February 28, 2013
Speaker: Gayle Southerland
Topic: Herbs and Native Plant Landscaping
Biography: Gayle Southerland said, “It is amazing to see such a wide variety of herbs inside
everyone’s back yard. Many herbs and plants native to Texas are
closely related.” Southerland is well known in Herb Society circles.
She has presented many programs for Herb Society Chapters and Units all
across the Metroplex. She is a graduate of Oklahoma State University
and has studied horticulture at Texas A & M’s Extension Center in
Richardson. Gayle was instrumental in starting the first Herb Society
unit in north Texas in 1986. She has also held several leadership
positions in the Heritage Herb Club of Plano as well as regional and
national herb organizations.
January 24, 2013
Speaker: No formal speaker.
Topic: January’s program will be a get reacquainted and lively
activity...making seed balls. Cathy Lustgarten said her vision
was that we could make thousands of seed balls to both distribute and
to use ourselves. Seed balls are a great way to propagate wild
flowers and other natives. If members don’t take all of them
home, we can give them away at plant sales or other functions where
Trinity Forks has a booth. Dirt, water, seed and rubber gloves
will be furnished.
October 25, 2012
Speaker: Jim Varnum.
Topic: Flora found in Lake Forest Park in south Denton. Jim
said, “It is amazing to see such a wide variety of native plants right
here inside the Denton city limits. This is a great place for a
field trip.”
September 27, 2012
Speaker: Gailon Hardin
Topic: Sustainable Landscaping Using Natives Plants.
Biography: A past president of NPSOT and the North Central
Chapter (Ft. Worth). She has a one-acre yard in Arlington with a
dramatic native landscape
that grabs lots of attention and only requires water during severe
drought.
August 18, 2012
Topic: Annual picnic. August 18: Ice Cream Social: 9:30 a.m. to
noon at Polly and Cecil's home. We are holding an Ice Cream
Social, Plant Exchange, and “brunchish” foods. We will even
crank up the grill, if you bring that kind of food. Bring a plant
to exchange with friends if you wish. Remember, part of the fun
is to identify some of the plants that Polly and Cecil don’t know the
names of.
June 28, 2012
Speaker: Michelle Villafranka, a noted botanist at the Fort
Worth Nature Center who is known for her insights about native plants.
Topic: Propagation and Seed Preservation.
Biography: Michaelle started with the City of Fort Worth as a
Forester in 2004 where she organized tree-planting events and
coordinated volunteer projects. She moved to FWNCR four years ago
to assume the Natural Resource Specialist position. She is now
responsible for establishing and building the Restoration Greenhouse
& Seed Collection Program. She also oversees many natural
resource projects with including invasive species control, trail
maintenance, and establishing biological surveys to determine baseline
data and monitor our habitat restoration activities Before coming to
the City, she worked for various conservation and land management
agencies (US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National
Park Service, The Nature Conservancy and an environmental consulting
firm) as a biologist doing bird surveys, plant surveys, wildland
firefighting, and endangered species monitoring.
May 24, 2012
Speaker: "Native" Dave and Christy Ilfrey.
Topic: Connections: Relationships in Nature from the Trinity River to the Gulf Coast. Christy said that, “We will share images of our work in and around Denton, Central Texas, and along the Gulf Coast, with special emphasis on our ongoing project on Copano Bay."April 26, 2012
Speaker: Carol Clark, Collin Co. Master Naturalist and NPSOT member.
Topic: Milkweed and the Clark Farm.March 22, 2012 Note well: This meeting will be at the new location on the Texas Woman's University campus.
Speaker: Jim Varnum.
Topic: The wonderful world of leaves.February 23, 2012
Speaker: Tiana Rehman, Collections Manager at BRIT.
January 26, 2012
Speaker: Paul Dowlearn.
Topic: Landscaping with NativesOctober 27, 2011
Speaker: Kathy Saucier and Irene Hanson.
Topic: Sharing Your Natives, Multiplication and Division Made Easy.September 22, 2011
Speaker: Sandra Greenway, Executive Director of the Connemara
Conservancy.
Biography: Greenway is well respected throughout the conservancy community for her work in meadow preservation. She noted, “This is a great experience for people who love nature and love to see native plants in an urban setting. The hiking trails provide easy access to nature lovers. When Frances Williams donated her family’s beloved 72-acre meadow, the Connemara Meadow Preserve, in 1981, it became the foundation of today’s conservancy. Now, the Connemara land trust oversees 3,500 acres of North Texas land under its purview. The Connemara provides the public with stellar activities in the Meadow and offers an emerging Ecological Literacy program. ”
August 27, 2011
Topic: Ice Cream Social
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Place: The green house at TWU.
May 26, 2011
Speaker: Russell Stevens from the Samuel Roberts Noble
Foundation in Ardmore Oklahoma.
April 28, 2011
Speaker: Carrie Dubberly.
Topic: Beautiful native plant combinations for North Texas.March 24, 2011
Speaker: Bobbette Brasfield.
Topic: Water Conservation & the Role Native Plants Play in Water Conservation.February 24, 2011
Speaker: Roger Sanderson Director of Botanical Gardens at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney.
Topic: Description of the natural wonders to be seen at the Heard sanctuary.Biography: Roger was one of the featured speakers at the recent 30th Annual Native Plant Society of Texas Symposium held in Denton. Roger is on the board of the Collin County Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society and the Texas Herpetological Society.” He and his wife are also active members of the Dallas Paleontology Society and both are active birders. He was Assistant Director of the Dallas Civic Garden Center (now Texas Discovery Gardens). Roger had a weekly column for several years in the Dallas Morning News on plants and continues to write articles about nature in several publications.
January 27, 2011
Speaker: Troy and Martha Mullens. NPSOT members, Texas Master Naturalists, and Friends of the FWNCR.
Topic: Native Pollinators.October 28, 2010
Speaker: Review of the Symposium.
September 23, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Dottie Woodson from the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Urban Solutions Center in Dallas.
Topic: Landscaping Design with Native Plants and Water Conservation in Mind.Saturday, August 21, 2010
Topic: Ice Cream Social and other delectable food items, games, and a tour of the Benny Simpson Gardens.May 27, 2010
Speaker: R. Austin Sewell, Rangeland Conservationist at Caddo - LBJ National Grasslands.
Topic: Characteristics of many native grasses found in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.April 22, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Linda Hanson, University of Michigan.
Topic: How Plant Pathogens Changed the Course of Human History.March 25, 2010
Speaker: Michael Perez.
Topic: An overview of the Fort Worth Nature Center that will include a discussion about the plants and trees native to the Cross Timber’s Region. “Working as a Park Naturalist for the Ft. Worth Nature Center is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural history of north central Texas. I have a profound affinity for exploring nature.” -- Michael PerezFebruary 25, 2010
Speaker: Camelia Maier, president of the Trinity Forks chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.
Topic: Plant propagation.January 28, 2010
Speaker: Gail Manning, Entomologist, Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens.
Topic: Symbiotic Relationship between insects and native plants.October 22, 2009
Speaker: Kathy Saucier.
Topic: Caterpillar Gardening with Native Plants.September 24, 2009
Speaker: Cynthia Maguire.
Topic: Birds, Bees, and Native Plants. Cynthia Maguire will share her knowledge of the interactions between birds, bees, and native plants with members and guests of Trinity Forks.Ms. Maguire is active both locally and at the state level in the Native Plant Society of Texas, putting her science knowledge to good use for the betterment of TWU and the greater Denton community.
May 28, 2009
Speaker: Cecil Carter.
Topic: "Lush Lawns versus the Coming Water Shortage". Statistics on the existing and coming water shortage in North Texas and the need for vigorous adoption of native plants in our landscapes.April 23, 2009
Speaker: Marshall Fox.
Topic: Enticing birds to your yard with native plants.March 26, 2009
Speaker: Allison Adams, Collin County Honey Queen.
Topic: Honeybees in the Native Garden. Allison will
talk about the role bees play in our native landscape.
Maximilian sunflower, horse mint, Indian blanket, rock rose
(pavonia),
goldenrod and salvias are a short list of natives favored by
honeybees.
Location: This meeting will be in Room 202 of the Classroom Faculty Office (CFO) building, not in the Clock Tower. The CFO is just to the south-east of the Clock Tower.
Biological information: Allison Adams is the seventeen-year-old daughter of Ned and Caryl Adams of Plano, Texas. She began beekeeping five years ago through the Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association youth scholarship program and has thoroughly enjoyed it ever since. She also finds pleasure in drawing, cooking, gardening, sewing, English country dancing, and most of all, spending time with her family.
February 26, 2009
Speaker: Cathy Lustgarten; current President of the Trinity Forks Chapter.
Topic: Natives to Neighbours: A New Program for Sustainable Landscaping in Denton County.January 22, 2009
Speakers: Becca Dickstein and Lon Turnbull, Denton NPSOT members.
Topic: “All grass to no grass, an 8-year adventure in native plant, herb, vegetable and xeriscape gardening in North Texas.”October 23, 2008
Speaker: Members who have a favorite plant to report on.
Topic: Members plant swap, photo display, and favorite plant report.September 25, 2008
Speaker: Marilyn Sallee. Master Gardener,
Master Naturalist, and Coordinator for the Cross Timbers
Invaders.
August 28, 2008
Ice Cream Social
Speakers: Conversation with all those who attend.
Topics: Home made Ice Cream and Cookies, a guided tour on a native trail, and a game of water balloons. (Bring your own drinks!)
May 22, 2008
Speaker: Dr. Camelia Maier, Associate Professor in Biology at Texas Woman's University (TWU).
Topic: Native Plant Research at Texas Woman's University, including snow-on-the-prairie, trout-lily, and bois d'arc, etcetera.
Note Well: The location of this meeting will be at TWU in Room 313 of the Arts and Sciences Building. (Building # 3) This building can be accessed from Oakland Street. Parking is available the parking lot on the west side of Oakland Street, just north of the Human Resources building.
April 24, 2008
Speaker: Steven Ray, with the USDA Denton office.
Topic: Prairie Grasses.
March 27, 2008
Speaker: Master Naturalist Jim Varnum.
Topic: Botanical (A)musings, where he explores the world of plants and plant naming with plenty of nature jokes and trivia mixed in. For example, would you like to know how our state flower, the Texas bluebonnet, became to be known as Lupinus texensis?
February 28, 2008
Speaker: Rodney Love owner of a company that places emphasis on waterwise landscapes.
Topic: The incorporation of native or regionally adapted plants with enhanced soil composition and an efficient irrigation system into yard designs.
January 24, 2008
Speaker: Kathy Saucier
Topic: Photography for the Average Nature Lover: Topics include composition background, light, close-ups, and flash.
October 25, 2007
Speaker: Tony Lucido, Registered Landscape Architect, North Texas Tollway Authority Landscape Manager.
Topic: Influencing Our Community to Grow Native: President George Bush Turnpike Landscape Project.September 27, 2007
Speaker: Paul Cox, Assistant Director of the San Antonio Botanical Garden and senior author of Texas Trees: A Friendly Guide.
Topic: Influencing our Community to Grow Native – A Public Garden's Perspective.
Biography: Texas plant expert and author Paul W. Cox has a B.S. in biology/forestry and a master's degree in botany from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is assistant superintendent of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and this summer celebrated his 30th year with that facility. Paul is an adjunct professor at Palo Alto College teaching about Texas trees and native plants. He is an expert in the care of native roses. Paul has named and released several introductions to the nursery trade, e.g., "Bubba" Desert Willow, "Spank" Chomonque, "Kara's Revlon" Globe Mallow, and "Pink Ice" Rose.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Annual Ice Cream Social, Lake Ray Roberts picnic area.
Topic: Socializing, games, tour of new interpretive center, and eating.
May 24, 2007
Speaker: Phyllis Dolich, President of the Williamson County Chapter and Chair of the 2007 State Symposium
Topic: A preview of the Fall NPSOT Symposium "The Blackland and Grand Prairies"
April 26, 2007
Speaker: "Native Dave" of Native Texas Garden Designs
Topic: Landscaping with Native Plants: Balancing Economic with Ecological Values
March 22, 2007
Speaker: Pat Haigh of TxDOT
Topic: Influencing our Community to Grow Native - Blooming Denton County Roadsides
February 22, 2007
Speakers: Susan Randolph and Rob Wier
Topic: Influencing our Community to Grow Native - a Nursery's Perspective
January 25, 2007
Speakers: Steve Spurger, Dorothy Thetford and Cathy Lustgarten
Topic: Natives in the Neighborhood
October 26, 2006
Speakers: George Diggs, Barney Lipscomb and Robert O'Kennon
Topic: Flora of East Texas
September 28, 2006
Speaker: Camlelia G.-A. Maier
Topic: Fruit Diversity and Ecological Significance
August 24, 2006
Ice Cream Social on the TWU campus
Topic: Socializing and Games
May 25, 2006
Speaker: Dr. Al Knauf
Topic: Practical Soil Science for Plant Lovers
April 27, 2006
Speaker: Don Kenney. Don and Marilee Kenney run the Painted Flower Farm, a small, family-owned nursery that specializes in TexasTuff perennials either native or adapted to the rigors of growing in North Texas.
Topic: Plant Roots and Soil Microorganisms: The
Perfect
Couple
March 23, 2006
Speaker: Dr. Ken Dickson, professor with the department of biology at the University of North Texas
Topic: Water Needs of North Texas Native Plants
February 23, 2006
Speaker: Betty Dunn from the Boerne Chapter of NPSOT
Topic: Using native plants instead of common exotics!
January 26, 2006
Speaker: Howard Garrett, the "Dirt Doctor" and author of " Plants of the Metroplex"
Topic: Dirty Secrets Revealed
October 27, 2005
Speaker: Dr. Rebecca Dickstein, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at UNT
Topic: Plant Propagation: Multiplication and Division
September 22, 2005
Speaker: John Cooper, TAMU Agricultural Extension Agent for Denton
Topic: Landscaping with Native Trees
August 25, 2005
Ice Cream Social in the Gardens on the TWU campus
Topic: Socialization and Games
May 28, 2005
Speaker: Dr. George Diggs, Austin College
Topic: The Cross Timbers Across Time--a history of Cross Timbers Forest Plants
April 28, 2005
Speaker: Bill Lindemann, past president of NPSOT
Topic: Big Bend National Park: A Naturalist's Dreamland
March 24, 2005
Speaker: Dr. Howard Arnott, UT Arlington
Topic: Crystals in Plants
February 24, 2005
Speaker: Russel Stevens, Noble Foundation
Topic: Prairies and Grasses
January 27, 2005
Education topic: Dr. Becca Dickstein, biochemist at UNT will give a 5 minute demonstration on seed propagation.
Speaker: Bonnie Bradshaw, Texas Discovery Gardens in Dallas
Topic: Backyard Wildlife Habitats: Butterflies, Birds & Botany
Return to home pageJanuary 27, 2011
Speaker: Roger Sanderson Director of Botanical Gardens at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney.
Topic: Description of the natural wonders to be seen at the Heard sanctuary.Biography: Roger was one of the featured speakers at the recent 30th Annual Native Plant Society of Texas Symposium held in Denton. Roger is on the board of the Collin County Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society and the Texas Herpetological Society.” He and his wife are also active members of the Dallas Paleontology Society and both are active birders. He was Assistant Director of the Dallas Civic Garden Center (now Texas Discovery Gardens). Roger had a weekly column for several years in the Dallas Morning News on plants and continues to write articles about nature in several publications.