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The Native Plant Society of Texas has recently received three grants which will support the work of its San Antonio Chapter.
A grant of $5,000 from the John Newman Family Charitable Trust and a $10,000 grant from the Shield-Ayres Foundation will support the further development of the Native Landscape Certification Program. The grants will be used to finance development of Level 3 of the program.
The Native Landscape Certification Program began in 2009 and since then 235 students have taken Level 1 training, which provides essential, advanced knowledge of the landscape use of native plants in urban development and residential gardening.
Level 2 was inaugurated this spring with 45 students. Level 2 delves into the best management practices for preserving, protecting and using native plants in landscape areas, including how to work responsibly around trees and natural areas while building and what to plant in new or residential landscapes. Classes were taught by Larry Hicks, principal landscape architect with RVK Architects; Mark Bird, San Antonio City Arborist; and Michael Nentwich, San Antonio City Forester.
According to Melissa Miller, co-founder and primary steward of the program, the grants will accelerate the completion of the program significantly and facilitate its being taught at other chapters.
In addition, a $250 grant was received from the San Antonio Area Foundation to improve the effectiveness of the San Antonio Chapter leadership.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins
