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Austin Chapter

State of the Union: Nominating Season

Dear NPSOT Austin Members,


It’s that time of the year again.  Our Bylaws require that we form a nominations committee in August to recruit officers for the coming year. I am pleased, and grateful, to announce that Kathy Trizna, Jackie OKeefe and Susan Brotman have offered to serve on the committee.  This year the following positions are open to be filled: President, President-elect, Treasurer.

In order to make these positions easier to carry out we are trying a new system. We will pair experienced members who will mentor each of these positions.  That way the learning curve is not as steep, and each new officer will have the support they need. For job descriptions please click here.

Nominations begin this month, elections will be held in November. New officers will begin training in December and begin their term January 1.  Treasurer term commitment is one year.  President-elect will serve one year in this position and will automatically become president the following year. President term commitment is for one year.

We ask for the following skills:

  • You do not need to be a plant expert, but some experience gardening with native plants would be helpful.  In this day and age, it would also be helpful to have access to a computer and be comfortable managing email communications and contacts, create and share Excel spreadsheets, and create and share Word documents.
  • For President and President-elect we would ask that you have even a small amount of experience managing groups and organizing several projects at a time.  We have several committees that carry out the activities of our chapter.  You do not have to be involved in all of them, just keep in touch and provide support where needed, and make sure they get on the calendar.
  • For the Treasurer we would request that you have experience managing budgets, tracking income and expenses, tracking a bank account and using computer programs to do so.
  • If you have the basic skills outlined above, mentors assigned to your position will help you learn the details of how NPSOT Austin runs. You are also free to recruit volunteers to help you with any of the duties outlined in your job description.


It has been a pleasure serving as President-elect and President these last two years.  I will be happy to continue to support our new officers in any way I can after my term ends December 31.
 
Cheers,
Claire Sorenson
President, NPSOT Austin

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason