2009-02-FebMar-Grapevine - Native Plant Society of Texas

Williamson County Chapter
Native Plant Society Of Texas
Newsletter
TH E
G RA P EV INE
February 2009/March 2009
From the President
There’s a lot going on at the state level as Sue Wiseman and I discovered when
we attended the Quarterly State Meeting, January 17th, in Fredericksburg. The new
website should be up shortly. Pam Middleton is the new administrator and seems very
capable. The Goals and Objectives (go to www.npsot.org to review the Plan and
Proposal) for 2009-2012 have been put on hold, with comments due February 2nd. Walt
Henderson, Dennis Perz, Agnes Plutino, Sue Wiseman and I have met several times to
iron out our response.
We’ve started the application process for the Market Days Booth, March 14 and
Julie Krosly recently informed me that the Wildflower Plant Sale will start at 1PM on
Sunday, April 12th since it’s Easter Sunday. We’ll have two to three vendors supplying
plants this year, as well as seedlings that I’ve started. We’re trying to determine if it’s
cost effective to raise our own so we can get the varieties we know are sure to sell out.
We’d really appreciate any help you can give volunteering a couple hours to help out.
Billye has speakers committed through June and Kathy McCormick has lined out
monthly Field Trips as well. If you have any particular speaker, field trip or activity you’d like
to suggest, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us or bring it up at the July Pot Luck.
We’ll look forward to a great spring and hopefully some rain!
Janet Church
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
From the President
1
Upcoming Events
2
Meeting Notes
4
Field Trips
8
NPSOT Donation
11
Natively Yours
13
JMG
15
CoCoRaHS
16
Book review
19
Botanists
20
Citizen Scientist
21
Resource list
24
Club information
25
!
!
1
UP C O MING EV ENTS
March Chapter Meeting: Jason Radcliff: Commercial Landscaping with Native Plants:
the Wolf Ranch Model
Thursday, March 12th, 2009, 7:00pm—9:00pm at the Georgetown Public Library
Jason Radcliff, landscape architect with TBG Partners, designed the landscape at the Wolf Ranch shopping center in Georgetown. He
will talk about plants, design and a bit about maintenance.
April Chapter Meeting: Kerry Blackmon: The Challenge of Managing Roadsides
Thursday, April 9th, 2009, 7:00pm—9:00pm at the Georgetown Public Library
Kerry Blackmon, District Landscape Architect with the TXDOT Austin District, requests NPSOT members’ input on what areas they
would like to discuss. He will survey factors that have to be considered when designing road-side landscapes and native plant use.
May Chapter Meeting: J Kelly Conrad Bender: Creating Texas Wildscapes
Thursday, May 14th, 2009, 7:00pm—9:00pm at the Georgetown Public Library
Kelly Conrad Bender, of Texas Parks and Wildlife, and author with Noreen Damude of Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife, will speak
on creating wildscapes and how you can get the latest information, since her book is now out of print.
June Chapter Meeting: Bill Carr: “Rare Plants of Tcxas”
Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:00pm—9:00pm at the Georgetown Public Library
Bill Carr will speak on the 2008 book "Rare Plants of Texas" by Poole, Carr, Price and Singhurst. Bill Carr is a botanist with The Texas
Nature Conservancy who conducts numerous field surveys and inventories for the conservation of threatened habitat. This technical book
covers 225 Texas plants identified as endangered, imperiled, or declining and which are too rare for standard field guides.
July Chapter Meeting: Annual Social
Thursday, July 9, 2009 7:00pm—9:00pm at the Georgetown Public Library
Annual Social! At this meeting we take time to mingle and take a focused group approach to gathering ideas for programs and activities
we would like to see happen next year. Light refreshments will be provided by The Red Poppy Cafe located in the Georgetown Public Library.
Guests are welcome.
UP C O MING F IELD TRIP S
Pool private property, Georgetown
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Bob and Lyn Pool will host us at their property which borders a northern section of the Good Water Trail around Lake Georgetown. We’ll
walk a jeep road and the trail (both can be rocky in places) looking for the flowers of Spring Herald (aka, Elbow Bush, Forestiera pubescens)
and any other early harbingers of longer, warmer days. Then Bob will show us around his vegetable, flower, and water gardens, and if the
weather is nice we’ll share some snacks on the deck. Wear sturdy shoes/boots that can get a little muddy if there’s been rain (let’s hope!). No
reservation is required, but you can contact Kathy McCormack ([email protected], (c) 698-9880) if you have any questions.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Continued on the next page
!
2
UP C O MING F IELD TRIP S
Directions:
From FM 2338, go 4.1 miles west on FM 3405:
· At the bottom of a large hill, pull into a wide caliche driveway on the left.
· Go through the green gate on the right (not the gate on the left with a cattle guard), #4255, and drive all the way back to the house.
From Parmer Lane, go 1.6 miles east on FM 3405:
· Just before going up a large hill, pull into a wide caliche driveway on the right.
· Go through the green gate on the right (not the gate on the left with a cattle guard), #4255, and drive all the way back to the house.
Balcones Backcountry Botany
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Dr. Chuck Sexton, wildlife biologist at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, will guide us on a rugged backcountry hike
in the Post Oak Creek riparian corridor. We will see the Refuge’s early spring plants in their characteristic Edwards Plateau habitat.
And we should also hear (and possibly see) one of the Refuge’s famous spring/summer visitors – singing Golden-cheeked Warblers !
Bring water/snack, field guides, and a camera, and wear sturdy shoes/boots, a hat, and sunscreen. Plan to arrive at the Refuge
headquarters by 12:45 PM because the front gate will be closed shortly after 1:00 PM. Registration is required – contact Kathy
McCormack ([email protected], (c) 698-9880) to register or if you have any questions. NOTE: This three-hour hike will be on
rough, rocky, steep, unimproved trails – if you have any concerns about your footing or stamina, please join us on another NPSOT field trip.
Enchanted Rock SNA, Fredericksburg
Saturday, April 18, 2009, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Join us for a spring field trip to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (SNA, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/
enchanted_rock/). The igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Llano Uplift erode into soils which support a slightly different plant
community than the sedimentary-rock-based soils that we’re familiar with in Williamson County. We also hope to have Lance Allred,
author of Enchanted Rock – A Natural and Human History (http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/allenc.html, due out in August), with us
as we observe the plants and critters along the trails in the park.
No reservation is required, but you can contact Kathy McCormack ([email protected], (c) 698-9880) if you have any questions or
would like assistance in arranging carpooling. Estimated driving time from Georgetown is 1.5 hours. Park entrance fee is $6/person
(there are additional fees if you want to camp overnight on Friday). Bring water/snack/lunch, field guides, and a camera, and wear
sturdy shoes/boots, a hat, and sunscreen. Meet in the parking lot near the headquarters building (where you pay your entrance fee).
Spring Plant Survey at the Gault Archaeological Site
Northwest Williamson County
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Join us for our second native plant treasure hunt at the Gault Archaeological Site (http://www.utexas.edu/research/tarl/research/
gault_intro.php). We will build on the species list that we generated in February from the 40-acre front section, and if there are
enough people we will also walk the 33-acre back section. Be prepared for extensive walking on uneven, open terrain. Wear sturdy
walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen and bring water, a snack, field guides, and something to take notes with and on. We didn’t see any
invasive species earlier (besides the ubiquitous KR Bluestem), but Capital Area Invaders should also bring their equipment (camera
and GPS – we now have some coordinates toward which to navigate) and forms. Dr. Clark Wernecke, Executive Director, will give us
a quick peek at the excavation site after the survey. No reservation is required, but you can contact Kathy McCormack
([email protected], (c) 698-9880) in order to facilitate carpooling or if you have any questions.
Directions to be sent in our reminder broadcast nearer the event.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
MEETING NO TES
The Christmas Social and Silent Auction
December 11, 2008
Marilyn Perz
If you have not had the pleasure of joining the NPSOT gang at their annual
Christmas Social and silent Auction, then you have truly missed out on great food
and fun. The festive potluck buffet was as varied and creative as always. It began
with appetizers such as spreads, dips and cheese and crackers. The fruit,
vegetables and bean salads were also appealing. The main courses included many
casseroles, a fragrant pork loin and even vegetable empanadas and vegetarian
“sausage” rolls. Of coarse, the desserts were in a class by
themselves with cookies, cakes, breads and even an elegant trifle.
Janet Church, our president, had a brief business meeting
while everyone enjoyed their second and third helpings and bid on
the silent auction items.
The Silent Auction items covered more tables than the forty
diners used for dinner. Included this year were gardening books
and even proceedings from many past years from the State
Symposiums, a quilt, a crocheted baby afghan, pecans, paintings
and pictures. Garden items that caused much competitive bidding
were hand tools, watering wands, a blue pottery wren house, an
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
original Dar Richardson pot holder, a Jackie Thomas basket, and even flowery needlepoint coasters done by Nina Erminger. There
were many other great buys and something for everyone on your Christmas list.
Thanks to all who attended, donated and purchased the silent auction items, a record $524.50 was added to the NPSOT treasury
and a great time was had by all.
Photos: Agnes Plutino
Chinese Tallow, Ligustrum sps., and Tree-of-Heaven makes top 5 list
Dr. Jim Miller of the U.S. Forest Service has recently announced what he thinks are
the top 5 invasive plants of Southern forests. "Cogongrass, tallowtree (pictured to
the left), and Japanese climbing fern are among the fastest moving and most
destructive nonnative plant species facing many southern landowners this year," said
Dr. Miller. "Rounding out the top five invasive species that I'm very concerned about
would be tree-of-heaven and nonnative privets." These species are already some of
our most reported invasive plants in Texas, so keep an eye out for them in your area,
and be sure to record your observations.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
5
Firewise Landscaping to
Reduce the Risk from
Wildfires
January 8, 2009
Marilyn Perz
Jan Fulkerson of the Texas Forest Service is a member of the
Urban Wild-land Interface team, recognized for its outstanding efforts
in promoting a cooperative approach to reducing the loss of lives,
property and resources in the wildland/urban interface. She came to
speak about “Firewise Landscaping to Reduce the Risk from Wildfires”.
Jan began by telling us that in 2008 more than two hundred homes were lost in Texas due to wildfires, but that could have been
avoided had property owners protected themselves with more firewise landscaping. Each home area can be divided into defensible zones.
Zone 1 is the 30-50 foot wide, well-watered area adjacent to the home with room for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Zone 2 is the
next 30-50 feet, and zones 3 and 4 beyond that. Each homeowner must take responsibility for his or her home and manage the landscape
to be more defensible.
In zone 1:
✦ Open the tree canopy. Remove vines and limb up trees to keep any fire on the ground
✦ Trim and maintain native grasses at a low level
✦ Keep a park-like appearance that is open and not cluttered
✦ Keep organic layers (e.g. mulches and leaves) away from structures; consider gravel mulch around the base of structures.
✦ Have diversity in size and ages of plants.
✦ Plant a diversity of plants, especially those that are less volatile, are non-resinous, open, branching, drought resistant, and holding
high moisture content.
Firewise plantings include beauty berry, lantana, salvia greghii, turks cap, cactus and succulents. Water features are also desirable.
Avoid volatile (i.e. fast burning) plants such as yaupon holly, agarita, rosemary, pampas grass, and sumac which can produce fire
brands spreading 2 miles as the seed head burns.
In zones 2, 3, and 4 the landscape can become progressively more natural as the distance from the home increases.
Jan showed slides of firewise gardens that included three foot wide space of gravel around each home, the use of concrete paths and
drives as fuel breaks, firewise plants, water gardens near the homes and isolated garden beds separated from the structures. She also showed
that vegetation can be used as screens from the road but that the defensible space in zone 1 near the home can have pruned trees and
mowed grass.
Each homeowner needs to access their homes defensibility zones and make adjustments. Jan told us that we must also look at the
prevailing wind direction and topography, as fire burns uphill. A canyon full of heavy growth with the home at the top of the hill is a
typical but difficult situation. The size and shape of the fuel source enters into the planning. Keeping a fire horizontal makes it easier to
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
6
fight and control. A burning plant will have a 3X flame height. Also remove vegetation around your propane tank and surround it with
rocks for 8-10 feet. Keep compost and brush piles away from structures and consider 2 ½ inches of pea gravel as your mulch.
With the dry conditions at present everyone needs to do their part to be more Firewise. More information can be found at
www.firewise.org
Jan Fulkerson, Urban/Wild-land Interface Specialist with the Texas Forest Service spoke on making our home able to survive a
wildfire. She gave us tips on how we can have a fire defensible landscape which retains habitat and uses healthy natives. She discussed
different native plants and if they were firewise plants or not. A Firewise Plant has the following characteristics.
Has little accumulation of dead material, including litter and accumulating debris
Is non-resinous and has low oil content
Has open, loose, branching
Is drought resistant
Holds a high moisture content in its leaves
Is easy to maintain and prune
We are to create a defensible space perimeter around our homes by removing fuels (dead vegetation) and landscaping
with firewise plants, keeping grass short and using concrete, stone, or gravel walkways as fire breaks. Limb up trees and remove
underbrush to minimize the ladder fuel effect. For further info the web site is www.texasfirewise.com. Don’t be a fuel be firewise.
10 SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDLAND FIRE
Wildfire can strike home if you have not taken some steps to protect your house and property. The actions and precautions listed below are
designed to help you prepare your home and lessen the threat of wildland fire damage to you and your property.
1. LPG tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep area around the tank clear of
flammable vegetation.
2. Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
3. All combustibles such as firewood, wooden picnic tables, boats, stacked lumber, etc. should be kept away from structures.
4. Clear roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid build-up of flammable materials such as leaves and other debris.
5. Remove branches from trees to a height of 15 feet or more.
6. In rural areas, clear a fuel break of at least 3 times the fuel length around all structures.
7. Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach your roof, shovel, rake, and a bucket or two for water.
8. Place connected garden hoses at all sides of your home for emergency use.
9. Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your home.
10. Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your neighborhood.
A few things you should be aware of during these dry, warm periods...
1. Know if there is or is not a burning ban in place for your town, city, or county.
2. If you burn, clear a large area on the ground of any combustible material, such as grass, leaves, and scrap wood, burn only what you
want to burn.
3. Do not leave your burn pile unattended and have a hose at the ready.
For more information, visit the Firewise Communities Project website.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
7
F IELD TRIP
Angel Valley Organic Farm, Jonestown
10 January 2009
Kathy McCormick
Angel Valley Organic Farm is a certified organic vegetable
farm located in a beautiful valley at the edge of the Texas Hill
County in Jonestown. It was here that 33.5 people (this includes one
granddaughter), 6.5 of which were non-members, gathered on a very
chilly January afternoon to see the amazing farming techniques of John
and Jo Dwyer.
There are a total of about eight acres of growing area of which two
are gown in any given season. The rest are left to cover crops. We were
shown around the greenhouses, rainwater harvesting tanks, cover crops,
drip irrigation, shade cloth, row covers over spring veggies, turkey
manure, honey bee hives, log structure for solitary native bees,
blackberries, and pear and apple trees. We discussed the soil, starting
seeds, transplanting, and various pests, weeds, and diseases and their
treatments.
After a very comprehensive look at the farming area several
members accompanied John along the dry creek-bed and back through
the pecan bottom-land bordering the property identifying a number of
native grasses, shrubs, and trees along the way.
After the trip, Kathy Galloway got the following email from Donna
Loflin:
“Kathy, I just wanted to tell you how the NPSOT field trip has
inspired two families. We have new Brazos blackberries in the ground, 4
fruit trees, lots of cottonseed and peat moss and are getting ready to
expand our garden. Plus tomorrow Ray hopes to finish the green house
and begin growing veggies from seed. Naomi is doing a lot of the same
too. Her blackberries go in tomorrow. Anyway, it was well worth the time
to participate.”
I hope everyone else was so inspired. What a wonderful day!
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
8
P LA NT S URV EY
Gault Site Plant Survey
A chance to get involved at the ground level!
Agnes Plutino
Late in 2008 I was invited to join a group of the Capital Area
Master Naturalists on a field trip to the Gault Archeological Site on the
Williamson/Bell County lines. We were led by Clark Wernecke,
Executive Director of The Gault School for Archeological Research. His
enthusiasm was contagious. He explained that eventually they want an
Interpretative Center with trails near the front of the property. There
had been bird surveys in the past, but not plant surveys. He was very
happy to learn that several of us on the field trip were NPSOTers and
that we were more than willing to work on a plant survey for him. Kathy
McCormack organized this effort and planned quarterly surveys.
On Sunday afternoon, February 1, 2009, an enthusiastic group showed
up ready for action. We had note pads and pens, GPS tracking devices,
invasive species forms, cameras, and flags (to note special features) with
us. We chose to survey the front portion of the property and broke up
into three groups to accomplish this mission. The groups headed off in
three different directions. We were supposed to eventually end up
together. We did, but not as planned.
Despite the vegetation being seriously affected by the drought, we
managed to find some good grasses (Buffalo grass and Sideoats Grama),
healthy cactus (Prickly pear, Horse Crippler, and Lace), a few
Bluebonnet and other rosettes just waiting for a bit of rain. It would be
good to go back now to see if the recent inch or so or rain had any
effect. One big find that we marked with a flag was a seep area
amidst a grove of cedar. There was more than enough cedar on
the property.
We did not find any invasive exotics on our initial visit. There
are China Berry trees along the edge of the quarry across the road
from the Gault Site. We may find that they have made their way to
the creek in the area to be explored on our next visit.
This was a great initial visit to the site. We look forward to
continuing our work with Clark Wernecke at the Gault Site. The
next survey is scheduled for May 2, 2009 from 8:30-11:30am.
During this trip, Clark will give us a sneak peek of the dig site. We
can hardly wait.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
9
Capital Area Invaders at Work
NPSOT Members as Citizen Scientists
Dale Rye
A group of Capital Invaders, Master Naturalists, Native Plant
Society members, and fellow travelers met on Sunday, February 8,
for the first botanical survey of the Gault Archeological Site. The
Site, which sits astride the Williamson-Bell County line north of
Florence, is one of the most significant study areas in North
America. Due to its abundant plant, animal, and mineral resources,
people have intermittently occupied it almost since humans first
arrived in this region.
Our survey had two purposes. First, knowing what native
species are on the site now will assist in efforts to recontruct the way
it looked in earlier times. Second, identifying the invasive species
will assist in restoring the area to its ancient condition. Preserving
the Gault Site should be a very high priority for those concerned
with New World history and prehistory. That makes the seasonal
survey an important project for all the participants. The good news
this time was that the site was relatively clear of invasives visible
during winter. Mark your calendar for the spring survey on Saturday,
May 2. We have been offered a tour of the archaeological site
following the survey, so don’t miss it!
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
10
NP S O T D O ING
Donations to local Libraries
Billye Adams
Donating significant books on Texas native plants to local libraries has long been a project of the Williamson County chapter of
NPSOT, donating new books as they came along. This fall we formed a committee to create a more focused approach. We developed the
goal of defining a “basic” set of native plant books that we wanted to be in every library in Williamson County. As a starting point, we made
selections from “Recommended Books on Native Texas Plants” published in the Nov 2007 - March 2008 edition of NPSOT News, selecting
overall great books that we all know and love, and particularly those specific to the Hill Country.
The chapter membership approved the suggested book list, adding a couple more and approved a budget of $500. The "basic" set of
books selected are:
1. 100 Texas Wildflowers, Dorothy Baird Mattiza (Place in Children’s section at library.)
2. Wildflowers of Texas, Geyata Ajilvsgi
3. Wildflower of the Texas Hill Country, Marshall Enquist
4. A Field Guide to Texas Trees, Benny J. Simpson
5. Texas Trees: A Friendly Guide, Paul W. Cox and Patty Leslie
6. Trees of Texas: An Easy Guide to Leaf Identification, Carmine Stahl and Rita McElvaney
7. Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Texas Hill Country, Jan Wrede
8. Native and Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin and the Hill Country, Brother Daniel Lynch
9. Grasses of the Texas Hill Country, Brian and Shirley Loflin
10. Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest, Delena Tull
11. Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region, 2nd Ed., Sally Wasowski and Andy Wasowski
12. Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife, Noreen Damude and Kelly Conrad (Currently out of print.)
13. Texas Gardening Almanac, Doug Welsh.
There are eight public libraries in the county, in Cedar Park, Florence, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Liberty Hill, Round Rock and Taylor.
Committee members Susan Waitz, Janet Church, Harriet Horton and Billye Adams surveyed the holdings of each library and
contacted the librarians. Taylor, Round Rock and Georgetown librarians decided that they would purchase the books needed to complete
their basic sets. For the other five libraries, we determined that we needed to purchase 43 books at a cost of $750. At the September meeting,
the chapter approved funding of the full amount, above the $500 originally allocated, in order to meet the goal of establishing this basic set
county-wide.
Susan and Billye ordered the books from three different sources,
based on price and availability. We had to wait three to five weeks from
any source to ship Benny Simpson’s A Field Guide to Texas Trees. And we
only went over our budget by eleven cents!
Susan developed bookplates that were placed in each book. The
plates identify the Williamson County chapter and provide contact
information for us.
And now for the good part – the librarians were so happy to have
our support. Harriet delivered to Cedar Park and Leander.
Susan Waitz delivered books to the Florence and Liberty Hill
libraries. The Florence library is open only during the week and is run
by all volunteers, one of whom met Susan on a Saturday to take the
delivery. The Liberty Hill librarian was absolutely thrilled and sent our
Above: Harriet Horton presents three books to Cedar Park Library Director Pauline
President Janet Church a thank you note saying that all but one of the
Lam. This photo appeared with a short write-up in the online Hill Country News
twelve books we donated was checked out by the next day.
(www.hillcountrynews.com) the week of January 18, 2009.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
11
H ELP NEED ED
Janet Church (right) delivered to the Hutto Public Library and Agnes Plutino
went along to record the event as Janet presented thirteen books to librarian Yasmeen
Jehangir. The Hutto library was very in need of starting a collection of books related
to native plants.
Librarians as a whole were very appreciative. As Suzette Davidson, Reference
Librarian at Georgetown Public Library said, “There are so many plant books to
choose from, it is good to have suggestions from knowledgeable sources.”
Many thanks to the committee members for their extra work on this project,
which was also fun. As Susan said, “Getting the books out there is a low-cost effective
way to reach county residents” to educate them about our wonderful native plants.
NEW RES O URC E
The Texas Wildscape program has been around for... oh,
has it been 15 years now? Our newest product, the Texas
Wildscapes Interactive Habitat Planning DVD (say that 5
times fast) is now available and *only* lists native plants in
its recommendations (and, we say prominently and
proudly that these are actual recommendations). Soon this
product will be available freely on the web, but for now
folks can request a free copy by sending their name and
postal address to me ([email protected]). With
the DVD, you can search from among 100% native plants,
choose the plants right for your situation and create a
shopping list, search native wildlife, read the first edition of
the Wildscape book (Damude and Bender 1999) in its
entirety (complete with the ability to add bookmarks),
explore a virtual tour of Wildscapes throughout Texas,
create and print a customized wildlife habitat management
plan for 10 - 10,000 acres that is compliant with
agricultural tax valuation 1-d-1 laws, view the television
segment on Wildscaping... did I leave anything out? :) Also,
the native plant search is now supplemented with
photographs generously provided through a partnership
with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Texas Master
Naturalists (Capital Area Chapter) were instrumental in creating the DVD.
For copies of the Texas Wildscapes DVD contact Mark Klym at [email protected]
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
12
NA TIV ELY Y O URS
Winter in Williamson County
Agnes Plutino
It is still Winter in Williamson County. As I write this on January 27th, the
temperature, which started out in the high 60's at midnight last night, has now
dropped to 35 degrees and is predicted to continue dropping though the night
tonight. We have been lucky enough to get a bit of precipitation with this
front. That makes my life much easier since I won’t have to dash around the
yard watering pots and newly planted/transplanted plants. You read right. I
have continued to plant through the winter. That is one of the benefits of
living where we do.
I’ve been watching the birds and doing some supplemental feeding this
winter. I’ve found that in this mild winter, supplying the birds with water is
even more important than extra food. The grasses, perennials, trees, and
shrubs that I have left untrimmed have furnished the birds with most of their
food. Putting out a feeder or two draws the birds within easy range for
observation.
Once in awhile I spot a rabbit or two who benefit from the green
vegetation, such as Spiderwort, growing in my yard. So far I have not had to
contend with deer or feral hogs. You never know what might happen in the
future. One of my neighbors spotted three deer where SH130 crosses Hwy29,
east of Georgetown. I did not ask if they were on the north or the south side
of Hwy29.
Plants in my yard that have survived the drought of 2008 and that should
supply some nice blooms this coming spring are Spiderwort, Cedar Sage,
Penstemon (several different species), Trailing Winecup, Alliums, Blue-eyed
Grass, Purple Coneflower, Engelmann Daisy, just to name a few. I attribute
this to some mighty sturdy root systems. I guess you could say that getting to
the root of the matter is what really counts.
I wrote about our work (along with Williamson County Master
Gardeners) at Pickett Elementary in the December/January Grapevine.
Christine Davis tells me that her Principal was so impressed with what was
done in one day that she has given permission to rip out all the rest of the
Asian jasmine around the school. This work will be done by the children and
their parents. Eventually, lovely flowerbeds will replace what is currently pretty
much a monoculture. I am very interested to see how their Wildflower planting
turns out. That was NPSOT’s main focus. There has not been a lot of rain
since that event in November. I presume there has been some supplemental
watering done since the planting date.
I managed to visit more nurseries in the past two months. If you are
looking for healthy native Trees and Shrubs, a visit to Hill Country Natives,
owned by Mitch and Kathy Mitchamore, is a must. See their listing under
Wholesale Nurseries in the Resource List of our newsletter. Although they are
listed as wholesale, they also sell retail. Christine Powell and I discovered
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
13
another native plant nursery called Texas Grown Plants, located on Hwy
290, west of the Y in Oakhill. It is owned by Terry Hedrick. She may be
reached at 512-288-2806. Even in January she had a very healthy looking
stock of plants, protected somewhat by an unheated greenhouse. It seemed
to protect the plants from the elements quite well. Check these and the other
nurseries we have mentioned in articles and on our resource list. Make sure
you let the nurserymen know that you are looking for drought tolerant Texas
Natives.
Although I’ve yet to get warm today, I realize that Spring is fast
approaching when I get calls for volunteer opportunities. On February 20th,
our chapter will have an information table at the 2nd Annual Sun City
Community Association Non-Profit Fair. The hours are from 10am to 2pm.
At the moment we have enough volunteers but, feel free to come on by and
check things out. We’ll have lots of handouts available. This event is free and
open to the public.
In the meantime, Janet Church is looking for volunteers to help at the Plant Sales, March 14 at
the Second Saturday Market Days in Georgetown, and the Wildflower Center Plant Sale scheduled
for April 10, 11, 12. This may present a problem for some folks as this is the Easter weekend. Janet
will have sign-up sheets at the February meeting. In the meantime, you may call or email her with
your preference for times to help. You may reach Janet at 512-585-0996 or email:
[email protected].
The other event we are committed to is Earth Day Activities at the Georgetown Library on
Saturday, April 18, from 10am-2pm. This will another opportunity to get our message out to the
general public. We will have lots of handouts available at this event also. I am looking for volunteers
to help at this event. You may reach Agnes Plutino at 512-863-0421 or email: prairiegirl.
[email protected].
One thing I keep forgetting to mention is the City of Georgetown’s Library’s website containing
information about the Library Garden’s Plants. The purpose of this site is to make the public aware
of the Native and Adapted drought tolerant plants used in the garden. You will find this information
at: www.georgetown.org. The information is accessible on the Library’s portion of the site.
If you haven’t already done so, it will soon be time to cut back/clean up any dead or dying
plant material, i.e., Salvias, Turks Cap, Skullcap, Coneflower, Native grasses. On most plants you
may already see new growth appearing. Cut back/prune/clean up judiciously. Just because you can
does not mean that you have to. It all boils down to personal preference. Anyone who know me
knows that I never cut back my Native grasses. If I think they are ratty looking, I use something to
“rake” the dead stuff out. On a rare occasion and if there is not a burn ban on I may burn my
grasses. This technique is not for city residents or the faint hearted.
I’ve rambled enough for now. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Dig in the dirt, take a walk,
or just sit and soak up what mother nature has given us
LBJWC
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
14
J UNIO R MA S TER G A RD ENERS
Update from Pickett Elementary
Volunteers from the Williamson County Master Gardeners, the Native Plant Society, Pickett
Elementary parents, staff, and one hundred and sixty 5th grade students joined together to take
part in Wildflower Planting and Gardening Day on December 12th. Christine Powell and two
NPSOT members, Agnes Plutino and Marilyn Perz came out a few weeks earlier to pick out
possible sites for a wildflower meadow. Pickett had procured wildflower seeds from the LBJ
Wildflower Center program and from several other sources. Once the site was agreed upon, all
that was needed was the manpower and expertise to carry out the plan!
Our students were divided into teams and given
tasks. In a short two hours we formed a rock wall to
define the planting area, gently raked the soil,
mixed seed with sand, and dispersed the seed
into our area. Other tasks that our “green
teams” completed were to tear up groundcover
to make way for a Pioneer planting garden,
dead-headed our display gardens (two of which
were planted by WCMG), trash collection
around the school, mulching, and removal of
weeds from several beds.
I found it truly rewarding to work
with the children and hope that
there will be a use for our services
at Pickett in the future. The
children were so enthusiastic and
interested in working to beautify
their school. The afternoon passed
so quickly that I was a little
disappointed when the students
went home.
Jane Williamson
Let me express my thanks and gratitude to our volunteers to take time out of their day to
patiently work with our students. This was the first time many of the students had the
opportunity to work in a garden and they WANT MORE!!! The impact of something so
simple is not measurable now; however I’m sure we cultivated a few future gardeners.
NEXT STEPS:
Now, here is the good news…I have received permission from administration to initiate an
“Adopt a 5th Classroom Garden” program. Each fifth grade class will come up with the
theme of the garden that they want to plant, we will enlist the help and support of their
parents, and after ripping out all of the remaining ground cover we should have seven more
connecting display gardens on our campus. We intend to use as many native plantings as
possible and make these gardens a part of our curriculum planning. We hope that the Master
Gardeners and NPSOT will continue their partnership with Pickett so we can make our
campus the standard for outdoor classrooms in Georgetown.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
15
C ITIZ EN S C IENTIS TS
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network
CoCoRaHS
Janet Church
I was at a presentation last year given
by Troy Kimmel, the Senior Lecturer/
Studies in Weather and Climate at UTAustin, and he encouraged us to join this
organization. It is a community-based
network of volunteers of all ages and
backgrounds working together to measure
and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).
By using low-cost measurement tools,
stressing training and education, and
utilizing an interactive Web-site, their aim is
to provide the highest quality data for
natural resource, education and research
applications. They currently operate in
many states across the country.
The network originated with the
Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State
University in 1998 thanks in part to the Fort
Collins flood a year prior. In the years since,
CoCoRaHS has expanded rapidly with over
3,500 observers in eighteen states. Folks in
many parts of the country have shown
interesting having their state join the
CoCoRaHS Network.
This is a community project. Everyone
can help, young, old, and in-between. The
only requirements are an enthusiasm for
watching and reporting weather conditions
and a desire to learn more about how
weather can effect and impact our lives.
Each time a rain, hail or snow storm
crosses your area, volunteers take
measurements of precipitation from as many
locations as possible. These precipitation
reports are then recorded on their website
(www.cocorahs.org). The data are then
displayed and organized for many of their
end users to analyze and apply to daily
situations ranging from water resource
analysis and severe storm warning to
neighbors comparing how much rain fell in
their backyards.
CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety
of organizations and individuals.
The National Weather Service, other
meteorologists, hydrologists,
emergency managers, city utilities
(water supply, water conservation,
storm water), insurance adjusters,
USDA, engineers, mosquito control,
ranchers and farmers, outdoor and
recreation interests, teachers,
students, and neighbors in the
community are just some of those
who visit the website and use the
data.
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
CoCoRaHS has several goals:
provide accurate high-quality
precipitation data for their many end users
on a timely basis
increasing the density of precipitation
data available throughout the country by
encouraging volunteer weather observing
encouraging citizens to have fun
participating in meteorological science and
heightening their awareness about weather
providing enrichment activities in water
and weather resources for teachers,
educators and the community at large to
name a few.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) is a major sponsor
of CoCoRaHS.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed monitoring my
weather gauge and going to the website to
log my findings. It’s amazing the difference
in precipitation I get in Hutto from what’s
recorded on the news.
I purchased my gauge for $30.00,
mounted it on a 4 x 4 post and I was in
business. What I really like is the fact that I
can get a better feel for how much water
then ends up in my rain barrels.
Hope you’ll give this a try.
!
!
!
16
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
17
New Year’s Resolutions
from Native Plant Gardeners
Winecup!
I've noticed the Williamson County Winecup beginning to bloom. Yea!!! The attached picture was taken at the IOOF Cemetery in
Georgetown on March 27, 2007. I guess it is time to see what
shape the cemetery is in these days.AP
Happy New Year! And along with the New Year come good intentions.
I spoke with two of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s long-time
gardens volunteers, Kelly Cunny and Brigid Larson, and here is their Top
Ten Resolutions list, which will surely keep them engaged this year.
As well as nurture a backyard wildlife habitat, provide water for feathered
friends and collect rainwater. We resolve to
1. Keep our tools and gear clean and in working order (although
adamantly NOT organized — we want to be realistic in our expectations)!
2. Share native plants from our gardens with neighbors we don’t know.
We can’t think of a better icebreaker.
3. Earn Wildlife Habitat Certification from the National Wildlife
Federation. (For information, go to: http://www.nwf.org/backyard/).
4. Everywhere we go, visit many, many public gardens such as the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (Free admission in January! See
www.wildflower.org for details.)
5. Volunteer at a public garden. We love gardening, of course, but a
variety of organizations offer many different opportunities, from working in
the gift store to leading tours or working with children. It’s all fun!
6. Cut flowers from the garden to bring to a friend.
7. Maintain a birdbath even in winter, mindful to always keep it full
and clean.
8. Join a local garden club.
9. Be more environmentally sensitive gardeners by starting a compost
pile, returning plastic pots to a receptive nursery, turning Christmas trees
into mulch, installing rain barrels, and avoiding planting invasive species in
our gardens.
10. Introduce a child to the wonders of nature.
For more information about Texas native plants, visit the Wildflower
Center’s website at: www.wildflower.org.
About the author: Andrea DeLong-Amaya is the Director of
Horticulture at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.
Do you have any gardening New Year Resolutions to share? I do! I
intend to have more fun in the garden and volunteer more...away from the
computer! What’ yours?
Taken from the Neil Sperry Website (http://www.neilsperry.com/
articles/2008/12/16/wild-about-texas.html)
ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING
AND CELEBRATION
CIT Y OF GEORGETOWN
PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N D E PA R T M E N T
Come out and help plant trees with the City of Georgetown’s Park
and Recreation Department. We will be planting trees in Geneva
Park. Wear your old shoes, bring your gloves and a shovel if you
have one. The holes will be pre-dug so don’t let that keep you at
home!
Our honored guest, Smokey Bear, will be on-site and available for
pictures.
In honor of Arbor Day, the Parks and Recreation Department will
be giving away 100 free tree seedlings; one per family.
Plant Sale!
There will also be an on-site proper tree pruning demonstration
after the planting is complete for those interested in learning more.
Native Plant Sale on the Square, Georgetown
March 14th—Volunteers and Purchasers
Needed!
DATE: 3/21/09
TIME: 9:00 AM
Geneva Park
1021 Quail Valley
Georgetown, TX 78626
Heather Brewer, Urban Forester
(512) 930-6113
[email protected]
http://forestry.georgetown.org
F e b / m a r 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
18
B O O K REV IEW:
Remarkable Plants of Texas
Uncommon Accounts of Our Common Natives
By Matt Warnock Turner
Anyone who lives in the Austin area who is serious about native plants has probably
met Matt Turner. He has delivered lectures at all the usual venues (Master
Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center, etc.) and has a real gift for conveying information. Like many of us, he
noticed a real gap in the literature about Texas native plants. There are any number
of field guides for identifying Texas wildflowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, and other
plants. However, all of these focus almost exclusively on answering the question
“What?” Very few even attempt to answer “Why?” Specifically, why should we care
that this is an example of one plant rather than another? Does it have any real use
besides contributing a page to our field guides?
The answer is often fascinating. The native plants of Texas have been used for a wide
range of purposes since people first settled the territory millennia ago. Plants have
been used by people for food, shelter, medicine, and economic subsistence. But
Turner takes it further and includes how plants have appeared in the historical
record and Texas folklore, as well as how plants nourish wildlife, and even plants that
have unusual ecological or biological characteristics. This book discusses 22 trees, 13
shrubs, and 30 other plants, all relatively well-known Texas natives. The species
range from the lowly hackberry (which turns out to be one of the plants used first by
human beings in Texas) to the versatile prickly pear. Some uses seem obvious, like
the use of native grapes for food. Some are less obvious, like the use of rootstocks
descended from Texas wild grapes to grow almost all French and German wine
grapes. How many of us who are familiar with the huisache as a spiny native of
South Texas realize that it is grown in Europe to provide extrait de cassie, one of the
most valuable components in costly perfumes?
Published January 2008
$29.95
Hardcover
ISBN 978-0-292-71851-7
The bois d’arc or Osage orange is probably native to only a small area in the Red
River valley, due to the contraction of its range after the disappearance of the Ice
Age megafauna that ate and spread its fruit. However, bois d’arc is now found in
much of North America, spread first by Native Americans who valued its wood for
bows. It was later distributed by whites who used it in tens of thousands of miles of
hedges before the invention of barbed wire, which was patterned after its thorns.
The largest Osage orange tree living today was grown from a cutting sent to Thomas
Jefferson by Meriwether Lewis and planted by Patrick Henry at his home. The wood
is so hard that it has sometimes been used in place of rebar to reinforce concrete.
7 x 9 ⅞ inches
320 pages
102 color photos
1 map
Th e Corrie H errin g
H ook S erie s
“No single existing publication includes
the kind of information featured in this book.”
—A. Michael Powell, Professor of
Biology Emeritus and Director of the
Herbarium, Sul Rosa State University
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
Every page of this book (and there are 336 pages) has at least a handful of truly
“remarkable” facts like these. For each plant, an introductory note gives an
explanation of the scientific name, alternative popular names, and a brief
description of the plant. There are many color illustrations and an unusually full
apparatus including a glossary, bibliography, and detailed index. To be honest, I am
torn between placing the book on my coffee table because it is so attractive or in my
bathroom because it is so great for casual reading! I heartily recommend it to
anyone who has even a passing interest in Texas plants.
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
19
B O TA NIS TS
Name that Plant
What’s in a Native-Plant Name?
Part IV
Bill Ward
Another surname used frequently by the taxonomists who chose names for Texas plants is
“Wright,” as in Wright’s acacia, Wright’s anisacanthus, Wright’s cliff-brake, Wright’s evening
primrose, Wright’s false mallow, Wright’s milkvetch, Wright’s pavonia, Wright’s plantain, Wright’s
skullcap, Wright’s threeawn, and Wright’s tick-clover. The species name for most of these plants is
wrighti or wrightii.
These botanical names acknowledge the considerable contributions of Charles Wright, a
Connecticut Yankee who made plant collections in Texas during the mid 1800s.
After graduating from Yale University in 1831, Wright moved to Natchez, Louisiana to tutor
children of a sugarcane planter. Later he moved to Zavala, Texas, where he taught school and
surveyed some of the counties in what is now Deep East Texas. Later he moved west to be the
surveyor for Menard County.
Apparently he had developed an interest in botany as a young man, because he botanized
and collected specimens as he traveled around East Texas and the Menard County area. In 1844,
Wright began a forty-year correspondence with Asa Gray, a professor of natural history at Harvard
and coauthor of “Flora of North America.”
In 1845, Wright took an administrative and teaching job at the first college to open in Texas,
the Methodist Rutersville College in Fayette County (the predecessor of Southwestern University
in Georgetown). Later he moved to Austin to teach and collect specimens of native plants.
Asa Gray arranged for Wright to conduct a botanical expedition by traveling with US troops
moving across the Rio Grande Valley to El Paso during the spring of 1849. “This expedition is of
special interest because the Smithsonian’s $150 contribution to defray Wright’s expenses was,
according to some, one of the early steps taken by that institution toward the formation of a
national herbarium” (page 64, “Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas”).
Charles Wright walked the 673 miles to El Paso, collecting and preserving specimens under
difficult and frustrating conditions. Wright sent 1,400 species of Texas plants to Gray at Harvard
and also shipped many specimens of cacti to Engelmann at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Wright’s 1849 collection was a major contribution to the botany of Texas.
After that expedition, he taught in San Marcos and then in New Braunfels, where he
befriended Ferdinand Lindheimer. Then he joined Col. Graham's survey of the Mexico-US
boundary. The results of Wright’s extensive collections from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
were published in Asa Gray’s “Plantae Wrightianae, Parts 1 and 2, Smithsonian Contributions to
Knowledge, 3 and 5,” as well as in other reports by John Torrey and George Englemann. Wright
served as botanist on an 1853 expeditions to many parts of the North Pacific, before returning
home to Wethersfield, Connecticut. In 1856, still unencumbered by a wife and family, he began an
11- year botanical exploration of Cuba. Later he worked at Harvard’s Gray Herbarium.
At his death in 1885, Charles Wright had become one of the best known US botanists.
Submissions?
If you would like to contribute to the Grapevine please send your articles, item, and photographs
to Christine Powell at [email protected] by the 25th of the month. Remember to include
captions and attribution details. The Editor is grateful to all those who have submitted items in the
past and would like to thank those who would like to send things in the future!
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Top: Datura wrightii, Jimsonweed, Thorn apple,
Datura, Angel Trumpet, Sacred datura
Jimsonweed is a branching forb that blooms large,
white, fragrant, trumpet-like flowers from evening
through morning.
Bottom: Aloysia wrightii, Wright's beebrush, This
species is a member of the verbena family (family
Verbenaceae), which includes about 75 genera and
3,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly of
tropical and warm temperate regions. As suggested by
its name, this plant is loved by native and introduced
honeybees alike.
!
!
!
20
NP S O T A S C ITIZ EN S C IENTIS TS
The spot-tailed earless lizard—a vanishing species
The Nature Conservancy of Texas (nature.org/texas)
Nature Conservancy of Texas seeks public's help tracking
spot-tailed earless lizard — a vanishing species
SAN ANTONIO—January 28, 2009—Scientists at The Nature
Conservancy of Texas and several universities are looking throughout
the state for the increasingly rare spot-tailed earless lizard, scientific
name Holbrookia lacerata, to find evidence of how many of these lizards
still remain in the wild. They’re hoping herpetologists, amateur
naturalists, and others who enjoy spending time outdoors will also keep
an eye out for the lizard.
“Scientists and partners seek volunteers to
join the search for a Texas native lizard
disappearing from much of its former habitat.”
Mike Duran, a vertebrate zoologist with The Nature
Conservancy of Texas, said that while the spot-tailed earless lizard is
not officially listed as threatened or endangered, there has been
The spot-tailed earless lizard had been recorded in our area. Have you
seen it on your land?
concern among scientists for the status of the reptile for
some time, and its demise could underscore important
environmental changes. Once thought to reside widely in
Texas within a rough circle outlined by Pecos, San Angelo,
Austin, Corpus Christi and Laredo, the lizard today is very
rarely seen.
“On surveys that we have conducted for The Nature
Conservancy within the range of the species, we have never
seen it,” Duran said.
He noted that Ralph Axtell, a professor at Southern Illinois
University-Edwardsville who is considered the leading expert
on the spot-tailed earless lizard, believes it may now be gone
from many of the places where it used to reside.
“When you have a species disappearing from its historic range,
it’s indicative of something going on with the environment,”
Duran said. “In this case, we’re guessing that it’s pesticide use.
If pesticide use is so devastating that it’s wiping out an entire
species, that’s something we need to take a closer look at.”
He points to another species that was almost driven into
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
21
extinction by the use of pesticides – the bald eagle. “We saw a tremendous decline in
bald eagles,” he said. “They almost became extinct. But studies revealed that the reason
for the decline with bald eagles, which may be the case with the spot-tailed earless lizard,
was pesticides. We were able to do something about that, and bald eagles are no longer
endangered. Raising awareness of the species is a key step toward conserving it.”
Now, Duran is working to determine where in Texas the spot-tailed earless lizard still
remains, along with a team of herpetologists that includes Axtell, Toby Hibbitts at Texas
A&M University, Travis LaDuc at the University of Texas-Austin, Kelly McCoy at
Angelo State University, and Michael Forstner at Texas State University – with help from
a cadre of volunteers. They plan to survey 207 sites within the lizard’s historic range.
The spot-tailed earless lizard is about 6 inches long and is covered with spots on its
back and tail. It is so named because, unlike similar lizards, it also has spots underneath
its tail. It is called “earless” because it has no external ear openings. Except in the
northernmost part of its range in Texas, where close relatives of the spot-tailed earless
lizard are found, there are few similar lizards likely to be confused with it.
The lizard is most active, Duran said, from March to June, and that’s when his team
plans an intensive effort to search for it. The scientists are seeking volunteers willing to go
to specific locations to search for the lizard, and would be happy to hear from anyone
Do you have land that looks like this? Have
who thinks they have seen one either alive or dead. Photos are encouraged when
you seen any spot-tailed earless lizard lately? Would
possible.
Habitat for the lizard within its historic range is believed to be areas that are sparsely you like to look for them? Contact Christine Powell if
you are interested in searching for this rare species.
vegetated with some bare ground. It is found on a variety of soil types, though never on
Image courtesy of the Nature Conservancy of Texas.
pure sand. Its environs include upland savannas, plowed fields in places that originally
were grasslands, thinly vegetated mesquite shrublands, semi-xeric mesquite and prickly
pear brushlands, and coastal prairie.
Anyone who believes he or she has seen a spot-tailed earless lizard is asked to contact Mike Duran at (361) 249-1712, (361)
882-3584, ext. 105, or [email protected]; or Ralph Axtell at [email protected]. More information on the lizard is available online at
nature.org/texas, including a form for lizard-spotters that may be downloaded, a map of historic locations, photos, video and a poster.
Duran also makes the point that he would be happy to hear from those who specifically went looking for the lizard in one of its
historic habitats and did not see it.
As the scientists search for the lizard in places where it previously has been found, they also will collect data on the current condition
of the habitat and create a predictive habitat model. Even if
they don’t find the lizard, they hope to be able to make an
educated guess about whether it’s still likely to be found at a
particular site.
“It all starts with gaining more knowledge, the basic building
blocks of science,” Duran said. “Right now, we just don’t know
where the spot-tailed earless lizard is and where it has probably
been extirpated. That’s what we have to start with."
The project is being funded through a grant from Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department's Texas Horned Lizard License Plate
Fund.
Lets make its CAMNs business to find some of these wonderful lizards this
summer. Image © Wayne Van Devender, Ph.D
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
22
NP S O T D O NA TIO N A T WO RK
NPSOT GRANT OF $200
Thanks for your generosity of a $200 grant, I was able to
purchase the following:
Michaels: felt, eyes, tempera, brushes, ink pads
and stamps
Wal-Mart: crayons, glue, rubber bands, chenille
and the prototype for bird, the caddy
Office Depot: folders and bin to hold all the
materials for the program
The total came to $147.79 and this leaves a balance of enough
money to purchase magnifiers and nets to carry out exploration
of the pond this spring. These will be ordered from Acorn.
On July 17th, forty-five children participated in a program on the
Bats at McNeil Bridge. I gave a twenty minute presentation, and then
Master Naturalists, Sally Scott and Dale McQuinn, both NPSOT
members assisted with the echolocation game and the bat masks.
On August 14th, another forty-five children participated in a program
on Winter Visitors to our Backyards. I gave a program on migration
while Master Naturalist and NPSOT member, Rosemary Langston,
gave a program on how birds will be attracted by the type of seed that
is made
available. Half
the group played
the Migration
game and then
the groups
switched.
Unfortunately, the drought posed problems for the pond and I have delayed the
start of the “Pond Community” ‘til Spring. Macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants,
reptiles, amphibians, raptors, native plants, etc. are just some of the programs
planned. A booklet has been prepared as a Nature Plant Guide for the children.
I have asked Susan Blackledge to apprise the scout troops that programs are
available. Information will also be sent to Georgetown Recreation Center. Rivery
Park with its pond and also Bootys Park will also be excellent venues for activities.
Once again, thank you for your support to get children outdoors and interested in
nature.
Barbara Coutant
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
23
RES O URC E LIS T
G A RD EN C ENTERS
Barton Springs Nursery
3601 Bee Caves Road
Austin, Texas 78746
512-328-6655
http://www.bartonspringsnursery.net
Bloomers Garden Center
507 HWY 95 North
Elgin, Texas 78621
512-281-2020
www.bloomerselgin.com
Forever Garden
6970 Williams Drive
Georgetown, Texas 78628
512-868-3373
www.ForeverGardens.com
Green and Growing
601 West Pecan Street
Pflugerville, Texas 78660
512-251-3262
Husband Family Nursery
3712 Top Rock Lane
Round Rock, Texas
512-238-8694
McIntire’s Garden Center
303 Leander Road
Georgetown, Texas
512-863-8243
www.mcintiresgarden.com
Oma’s Garten Pflanzen
2301 Old FM 440 Road
Killeen, TX 76549
254-526-8792
www.omasgartenpflanzen.com
The Natural Gardener
8648 Old Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas 78735
512-288-6113
www.naturalgardeneraustin.com
Wright’s Nursery
6040 RM 2657
Briggs, Texas 78608
512-489-2239
www.wrightsnursery.net
WH O LES A LE NURS ERIES
Hill Country Natives
308 Mesa Oaks Drive
Leander, Texas 78641
512-259-0253
www.hillcountrynatives.biz
Native Texas Nursery
16019 Milo Road
Austin, Texas 78725
512-276-9801
S EED S O URC E
WILD F LO WER C ENTER
Native American Seed
127 North 16th Street
Junction, Texas 76849
1-800-728-4043
http://www.seedsource.com/
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, Texas 78739
512-292-4200
www.wildflower.org
WEB S O URC ES
Native Plant Society of Texas
www.npsot.org/
Williamson County Chapter NPSOT
www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
http://plants.usda.gov/
Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery
www.noble.org/webapps/plantimagegallery/
Flora of North America
www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=1
Integrated Taxonomic Information System
www.itis.gov/
Bennie Simpson Native Texas Trees
Bennie Simpson Native Texas Trees
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/ http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
24
C LUB INF O RMA TIO N
CLUB MEETINGS
2nd Thursday of each month
7:00 PM
Georgetown Public Library
402 West 8th Street
Georgetown Texas 78626
Meetings are open to the public and visitors are always welcome. Subscribe to the
NPSOT-WilliamsonCounty-announce mailing list to receive meeting and event notices. Contact the chapter president for more information. See the Past Meetings and Events
webpage for past meeting information.
C LUB P O S ITIO NS
President
Janet Church
512-585-0996
[email protected]
Past President
Agnes Plutino
512-863-0421
[email protected]
Secretary
Marilyn Perz
512-864-3828
[email protected]
Treasurer
Kathy Galloway
512-259-7350
[email protected]
Program
Billye Adams
512-863-9636
[email protected]
Field Trips
Kathy McCormack
512-698-9880
[email protected]
Membership
Kathy Mitchamore
512-259-0253
[email protected]
Volunteer Coordinator
Janet Church
512-585-0996
[email protected]
Historian
Agnes Plutino
512-863-0421
[email protected]
Heritage Gardens
Marilyn Perz
512-864-3828
[email protected]
Web Master
Lisa Spangler
512-249-7868
[email protected]
Newsletter
Christine Powell
512-863-8250
[email protected]
Front cover image and header are courtesy the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
D e c / J a n 2 0 0 9!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
25