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Like most everyone else, the first thing your Society did in response to the pandemic was just to cancel or put off everything. Chapters cancelled their monthly meetings, and in most cases their plant sales and outdoor projects. Our native landscaping classes (NLCP) began postponing and rescheduling spring classes, and eventually just cancelled them altogether.
But we have no choice except to adapt to a changing world or perish. So we have been scrambling to provide new solutions for our chapters and members.
This fall we will hold 13 virtual landscaping classes. Our classes have been reworked somewhat to make it possible to teach them over Zoom. However we think they are just as good, and we are even able to reduce the prices because it is more economical to teach them over Zoom.
Many of our chapters are holding monthly meetings over Zoom. Ironically it may be easier for them to get good speakers, because there is no travel involved. Some of our chapters have decided to open up their meetings to a larger audience. Visit our virtual events calendar to see free upcoming presentations that anyone may attend. You can also sign up to get a weekly notification of new upcoming virtual presentations.
Also you don’t have to leave home to participate in one of our contests. This summer we are holding a photo contest, a video contest and a chapter newsletter contest. Deadlines are approaching soon for all three contests so now is the time to jump in.
This year you can take part in the Wildscape Workshop in Houston without the hassle of Houston traffic. Four great speakers on different days.
Our planning committee is cooking up a virtual celebration this fall to take the place of a fall symposium. It will be held during Texas Native Plant Week, October 18-24. There will be a virtual annual meeting, awards presentations, a bioblitz, and other events to be announced later. You’ll be able to attend without ever leaving your home or spending any money.
In some cases change has been welcome. For example, in April our state board met via Zoom for the first time. There are over 40 people on the board and there was much apprehension that it could work. Surprisingly the meeting went very smooth, it was shorter than usual, and everyone was glad they did not have to travel. There were chapters represented we had rarely seen. Regardless of what happens in the future, online board meetings are one thing that is here to stay.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins
