H appenings - Arizona Native Plant Society

Happenings
The quarterly newsletter of the
Arizona Native Plant Society (AZNPS)
September–November 2009
Our mission is to promote knowledge, appreciation, conservation,
and restoration of Arizona's native plants and their habitats.
March-May 2009
Happenings features chapter news and activities from throughout the state, as well as updates of board and
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committee meetings, and annual meeting information. Deadlines for submission are February 1 for Marchst
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May events, May 1 for June-August events, August 1 for September-November events, and November 1
for December-February events. Please contact your chapter president or program coordinator to contribute.
Budding Collaboration of Northern Arizona Botanists
AZNPS, Museum of Northern Arizona, Deaver Herbarium at Northern Arizona University, Desert
Botanical Garden, and Grand Canyon Trust are partnering in the Plant Atlas Project of Arizona (PAPAZ) to
train volunteer botanists to assist in collecting and research expeditions that document plant diversity in
Arizona. The Budding Botanists learn plant identification, collection, and documentation skills throughout the
year in field and classroom settings from regional experts.
Keri Stiverson of the Museum of Northern Arizona
reports: The Budding Botanists training program has
graduated nearly 100 AZNPS members since its debut
last field season. These invaluable volunteers have
worked tirelessly at multiple locations collecting
specimens for herbaria across the state. Through all
the weather conditions that an Arizona field season
can offer, our Budding Botanists have collected,
pressed, smiled, and learned. Our Verde Valley/Tent
Rocks team took off during the heat of the summer
after a fast-paced spring, while the North Country
team beat the heat by heading up to 8500 feet to
collect in the cool breezes of Hart Prairie. At each site,
the Budding Botanists have added several new species
to the existing plant list of the locations. Specimens
Budding Botanists at Hart Prairie record data and
are adding up, and volunteers can participate in the
secure specimens in a plant press.
next step at the herbarium mounting party to be held
October 24th at the NAU Deaver Herbarium. For more information about the Budding Botanist program and
its upcoming activities, or to join a collecting team, please visit the Grand Canyon Trust website at
http://www.gcvolunteers.org/trainings_botanists.html or contact Keri Stiverson at the Museum of Northern
Arizona (928) 774-5211 x 216 or [email protected].
Receive Happenings and/or The Plant Press by e-mail
We are now e-mailing our publications to members who opt to receive them electronically. Of course, we
will continue to mail Happenings and The Plant Press to those who prefer paper copies.
You may receive either or both of the periodicals electronically. Send an e-mail to Nancy Zierenberg
([email protected]) to tell her that you want to receive Happenings and/or The Plant Press via e-mail.
Both publications are now featured on our very spiffy, updated website at http://www.aznps.com/
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 2
Planting the Future: Sustainable Plant Medicine Conference Oct. 17
By Marjorie Grubb. Photos ©Frank Rose, may not be used without permission
Hiding under a rock, nearly escaping the notice of a flower fanatic who had walked this trail dozens of
times looking for flowers, a pipsissewa (Chimaphila maculata) shyly peeks out at us.
I, the herbalist, say, “There’s medicine in that plant.” “Don’t pick it!” says my
botanist buddy.
Can plant medicine and plant conservation coexist? The mountains and deserts of
Arizona are rich with medicinal plants—some abundant, like Ceanothus, which is
everywhere on Mt. Lemmon; and some so rare that the plant
conservationist quakes at the thought of a medical herbalist
finding out about them, lest the last stand of a rare and
beautiful thing like our pipsissewa be ripped out and
dragged off to make someone a cup of tea. Pipsissewa, with
Chimaphila maculata
its wintergreen fragrance and flavor, was once used along
with birch, sassafras and other plants to make fermented herbal beers that were
popular as “spring tonics” into the early 20th Century. Later they became herbal
syrups that were mixed with soda water and dispensed at “soda fountains” in oldfashioned pharmacies. Herbalist Stephen Buhner says, “Unfortunately, the slowgrowing and hard to propagate pipsissewas are still being dug up in 100-ton lots for
incorporation into ‘natural’ sodas.”
Ceanothus fendleri
Medical herbalists across the country have realized that
some of the finest botanical medicines are being lost to such misuse, along with climate
change, habitat loss, over-harvesting, and lack of understanding of the complex growth
habits and environmental needs of these plants. These herbalists have come together as
the United Plant Savers (UpS), an education and advocacy group committed to
protecting and replanting native medicinal plants and to raising public awareness of the
plight of these plants.
On recent walks on Arizona mountain trails we have
seen some of the plants that UpS has been watching:
Hypericum spp., Asclepias tuberosa, Aralia racemosa,
Aralia racemosa
Mahonia spp., Lobelia spp., Gentiana spp., Arnica spp.,
Ligusticum spp., and others We can’t afford to lose the beauty and the medicine
of these magical plants.
On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and
United Plant Savers will present a “Planting the Future” conference. The public
Asclepias tuberosa
is invited, and the conference should be of special interest to AZNPS members. It is
co-hosted by the Tucson Herbalist Collective. All proceeds will benefit UpS
research, outreach, and preservation efforts.
Register at the UpS website: www.unitedplantsavers.org. AZNPS members who will
be presenting include Greta Anderson, Martha Burgess, Richard Felger, Wendy Hodgson,
Phyllis Hogan, Pam Hyde-Nakai, Mimi Kamp, Barb Phillips, Meg Quinn, Frank Rose, and
Jim Verrier. Lectures, workshops, and exhibitions will be at ASDM’s Baldwin Education
Center. Lecture topics include ethnomedicine of Sonoran Desert peoples, medicinal plant
cultivation and seed saving, plant photography, and much more. If you have a display of
related information on threats to native medicinals, please contact the exhibit planners at
520.907.9471. Field trips on Sunday, Oct 18, will probably fill up fast.
Conference Fast Facts: Sat. Oct. 17, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,
Tucson. UpS members, $60; nonmembers, $70. Half-day field trips Sun. Oct
18, $25. Register at United Plant Savers www.unitedplantsavers.org.
Lobelia anatina
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 3
F
CHAPTER HAPPENINGS
Flagstaff Chapter
JOIN OUR CHAPTER E-LIST: To keep up with the latest, join the chapter e-list by sending your request to
Keri Stiverson: [email protected]
All talks are the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in Room 328 of the NAU Biology building (building
#21). Park in the NAU biology building parking lot at the corner of Franklin and Beaver Streets (free after
4:30). Enter the Biology building through the door behind the bicycle racks, at the southeast corner of the
building. Immediately after entering two sets of double doors go up the staircase to the third floor. The room is
past the Deaver Herbarium, midway down the hall, on the east side of the building.
All field trips are the third Sunday of the month. Meet at 10:00 am at the Arizona State Credit Union
parking lot, corner of Beaver and Butler (but see Oct. 25 trip below). We will carpool to our destination from
there. Bring a high clearance vehicle or money to share for gas expenses. Come prepared with water, lunch
and/or snacks, and appropriate weather gear. Hikes are easy to moderate and last about 4 hours.
NOTE: The Flagstaff Chapter does not meet November–February.
Evening Program Talk: Tuesday, September 15th, “Managing the Urban Forest Through Modern
Arboriculture” by I.S.A. Certified Arborist and local professional tree climber Brian Marshall. Mr.
Marshall will speak on common problems, misconceptions, and challenges that homeowners in northern
Arizona face in managing mature trees. Topics include: tree selection and planting for landscape use, pruning,
proper watering techniques for mature trees, tree defects and risk assessment. Mr. Marshall will also cover
issues that directly concern those of us living in the world’s largest continuous Ponderosa Pine forest, such as
being fire wise, thinning, and mitigating and protecting against bark beetles and the damage they inflict.
Weekend Field Trip: Sunday, September 20th, A walk with Mr. Marshall through Flagstaff’s downtown
neighborhoods discussing various examples of challenges our trees face in an urban environment and how we
as educated homeowners can make our trees healthier and our environment more beautiful.
Evening Program Talk: Tuesday, October 20th, “Plant Programs of the Museum of Northern Arizona”
by MNA Program Coordinator Keri Stiverson. Ms. Stiverson will discuss the projects at the Museum of
Northern Arizona that are aiding in the revitalization of the MNA botany program. These projects include the
Native Plant Materials Program, field excursions for the Plant Atlas Project of Arizona (PAPAZ), a large
research and community garden, and the living roof of the new Easton Collection Center.
Weekend Field Trip: Sunday, October 25th, A tour of the MNA gardens, landscaping and living roof system
and an opportunity to participate in the collection of native seed that will be used in various MNA projects.
*Please meet at the Museum of Northern Arizona Garden.* Directions from Flagstaff: Head north on Fort
Valley Rd (Hwy 180) as if you were going to the museum or Snowbowl. Turn right on Winding Brook Rd
(there is a sign for the Peaks Senior Assisted Living Facility). Winding Brook Rd dead-ends in a T. The top of
the T is the MNA Garden. Parking is available at this location.
Third Annual Flagstaff Garden Contest
AZNPS Flagstaff organized and staged the 3rd annual Flagstaff Garden Contest this year on behalf of
AZNPS and the Flagstaff Xeriscape Council. The garden categories were Native Plants, Water-Wise, and
Special Interest. Judging occurred on July 21, and that weekend hundreds of Flagstaff gardeners turned out for
a self-guided tour of the 14 contest gardens. The garden of Ken and Dorothy Lamm, with landscape design by
Janel Wilcox, won for Best Use of Native Plants, while the Best Water-Wise Garden was that of Josh
Robinson, who applied his expertise as a permaculture consultant for East of Eden to his own garden.
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 4
Best Use of Native Plants winner in the Flagstaff Garden
Contest: the Lamm home. Photo ©Tom Bean
Ratibida columnifera, Gaillardia pinnatifida, Linum lewisii
Penstemon harbatus. P. strictus, Bouteloua gracilis,
Festuca arizonica, and other native plants line the riparian
zone of the garden. Photo ©Dorothy Lamm
Photographs of the Garden Contest entrants and winners will be featured Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4–7)
at the 60th Annual Coconino County Fair in the Floriculture Building at Fort Tuthill. There will also be
exhibitions of hundreds of spectacular cut specimens of Arizona native wildflowers and other perennials
entered in Fair competitions.
Phoenix Chapter
President: C. Douglas Green (480) 998-5638 or [email protected]. Treasurer: Suzanne Cash (602)
942-0727 or [email protected]. Reminders: Sandy Zetlan (602) 363-6098 or
[email protected].
Regular meetings of the Phoenix Chapter of AZNPS are held at 7:00 pm on the second Tuesday of
each month in Webster Hall at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Meetings are, of course, free of charge.
Evening Program Talk: Tuesday, September 8, 7 pm: “Revisiting the Usery Mountains” presented by
Dr. John Alcock, Retired Professor of Biology, who taught at ASU for more than 36 years. John has a
particular affinity for the Usery Mountains and its desert natural history in regards to ecology, plants, animals
and insects. He's been studying the natural history of the Mountains for many years, and he will share with us
his fondness for life there in all of its forms. John will also have available (hopefully) his latest book entitled
When The Rains Come, published by U of A Press, about these same Usery Mountains. This will be a
memorable evening for all, so please join us for our first meeting of the new season.
Evening Program Talk: Tuesday, October 13, 7 pm: “Some Old, Most New: The Evolutionary Origin
of Arizona's Endemic Plants” presented by Dr. Andrew Salywon, Assistant Herbarium Curator at the
Desert Botanical Garden. Andrew's main research interests at DBG are endemic and rare/endangered plants
and floristics, utilizing both traditional and DNA data. Endemic species are those native plants that are found
in a limited geographical range and nowhere else. This will be an excellent presentation and discussion for our
second meeting of the season. Come join us!
Speakers for November 10th and December 8th are not yet confirmed, so check the AZNPS website
(www.aznps.com) for updates. We do need speakers for Jan, Feb, March, April, and May 2010. Can you help
us? If so, let me know your ideas; we need your input!
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 5
Phoenix Chapter News
AZNPS Phoenix is planning a consolidated educational program on native plants and non-native invasives in
collaboration with the Central Arizona Weed Management Area (CAWMA). In a joint visit to the Gila River
Indian Community, AZNPS members attended an ethnobotanical lecture and garden tour at the Huhugam
Cultural Center, presented by Robert P. Johnson and Charles Enos, both of the Gila River Indian
Community. Both AZNPS and CAWMA participants enjoyed this outstanding event. We're looking forward
to more collaborative programs in the future.
Suzanne Cash (AZNPS Secretary) and Doug Green (Phoenix Chapter President) attended the quarterly
AZNPS State Board Meeting in Prescott, held at the Highlands Nature Center on August 2nd. What a great
place this is! Prescott should be proud! The next Board meeting is scheduled for November 8th in Casa
Grande, at a location to be determined. All Phoenix Chapter members are always welcome at our quarterly
get-togethers.
We had no tabling appearances during this inactive period. There were no opportunities, as it’s too darn hot
for outdoor involvement. So far, we are not scheduled for any during the September, October or November
months. Our heaviest schedule begins in the new year through the spring months. We're always busy then
with maybe too many events. Tabling help is always welcome!–– C. Douglas Green, President
Prescott Chapter
President: Carl Tomoff (928) 350-2255 or [email protected]. Contact Carl for Prescott Chapter
information. The Prescott Chapter is not holding regular meetings at this time.
The Highlands Center for Natural History offers two events of possible interest to AZNPS members this
fall: Interpretive Nature Hike, Sat., Sept. 5, 8:30 am, donations requested, and Take a Hike! 2nd Annual
Hiking Spree, Sept. 26–Nov. 21; Kickoff Sept. 2, 9 am at the Center, in partnership with Prescott National
Forest. More information at http://www.highlandscenter.org.
Tucson Chapter
Regular meetings of the Tucson Chapter resume in September on the second Wednesday of each
month, 7 pm, at Arizona Game and Fish, 555 N. Greasewood (west side of road between Speedway and
Anklam) Look for the new glow-in-the-dark AZNPS sandwich board marking the driveway.
Join our chapter e-list to keep up with plant-related opportunities, outings, meetings, and events.
Just send an email asking to join to [email protected]
Chapter officers: Douglas Ripley, President ([email protected]); Karolyn Kendrick, Vice President
([email protected]); Nancy Zierenberg, Secretary ([email protected]); Diane Kelly, Treasurer:
([email protected])
Speakers
Evening Program Talk: Wednesday, Sept. 9: Jim Verrier, “ Santa Catalina Mountain Flora”
Jim is a horticulturist, self-described “amateur” botanist, and the Nursery Manager at Desert Survivors
Nursery in Tucson. In his six years at the nursery, Jim has been instrumental in building their outstanding
selection of native plants for the landscape. His passion at the moment is working on a flora for the Catalina
Mountains. He’s brought many of these species into cultivation for Desert Survivors customers. This season’s
kick-off program will highlight Jim’s photos of what is found in our own “back yard”!
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 6
Evening Program Talk: Wednesday, Oct. 14: Ted Fleming, “The Columnar Cactus-Bat Connection”
A professional biologist for more than 40 years, Ted has spent most of that time studying the ecological
interactions between seed- and/or pollen-dispersing phyllostomid bats and their food plants in Latin America,
including tropical forests in Costa Rica and the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and Arizona. His graduate students
have conducted parallel studies in Curaçao, Venezuela, and Peru. His current studies focus on the evolution of
plant-visiting phyllostomid bats in the West Indies.
“Bat pollination has evolved several times in tribes of columnar cacti (e.g., in Pachycereeae, Cereeae,
Hylocereeae, Cacteae). In this talk, I will describe major features of the evolution and ecology of the batcactus pollination interaction. Bat flowers are large, night-blooming, and full of nectar and pollen. Three
lineages of phyllostomid bats have evolved cactus-visiting species (two in Mexico and one in South America),
and these species are critical for cactus reproductive success. The evolution of this pollination interaction has
facilitated the evolution of bat pollination in paniculate agaves. In Sonora and Baja California, a new species
of bat has recently begun to visit cactus and agave flowers.”
Note: We will be doing a “plant swap” at this meeting. Bring plants you’ve been nurturing to trade for plants
others will bring.
Evening Program Talk: Wednesday, Nov. 11: Seth Pilsk, “Western Apache Botany”
Seth is a botanist for the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s Department of Forest Resources. For the last 18 years he
has worked with elders and traditional cultural authorities from the four Western Apache Tribes on a number
of ongoing cultural preservation projects, including compiling traditional information about the natural world.
This presentation will provide an overview of the traditional Nnee (Western Apache) relationship with the
natural world in general, and with plants in particular, including traditional taxonomy and ecology.
Amoreuxia palmatifida (Cochlospermaceae)
From the Ruby field trip (p. 8) ©Nancy Zierenberg
A possible new cicada-killer wasp species
©Rod Mondt
Field Trips & Activities
Buffelgrass Workday in the Watermans, Saturday, August 29, 6:30 am
The “Save the Watermans” campaign of Friends of Ironwood Forest National Monument to eradicate
buffelgrass from the precious Turkshead/Elephant Tree areas of the Watermans continues this monsoon season
with glyphosate spraying of BG patches that are growing into vegetation or are way too large and full of
seedlings to effectively pull. Please set aside Saturday 29 for an AZNPS service contribution to the effort. We
will either go into the East Canyon or the desert around the landing strip, depending on how much the BG has
finally greened up! Both of those locations have plenty of Nichols Turks Heads to see and protect. Digging
bars and picks will be provided for those who do not want to use the backpack sprayers.
We will meet at 6:30 am at the Marana Airport on Avra Valley Road. After the event, we can brunch at the
Airport Café. Please wear sturdy shoes, a good hat, sunscreen, and bring ample water. RSVP to
[email protected] or 520-991-9109.
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 7
Rillito River Ecological Restoration Project, Saturday, Sept 26, 8 am
The Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration Project, totaling over 55 acres, is a joint project of the Pima County
Regional Flood Control District and US Army Corps of Engineers that totals over 55 acres. Carianne
Funicelli of RECON Environmental was involved in the design of the project and will lead a trip through the
project area to highlight the native plant palette, stormwater harvesting techniques, water conservation
measures, amphibian conservation measures, monitoring and maintenance issues. Before and after photos will
be on hand to demonstrate how the project has changed since implementation. Please wear sturdy shoes, long
pants, a good hat, and sunscreen. Bring plenty of water, as well as your binoculars if you are a bird-watcher!
We'll meet at the parking area at the end of Columbus Boulevard (north of Ft. Lowell) at 8:00 am Please
RSVP to Carianne at [email protected] or 520-991-9109.
More field trips are in the offing. If you’d like to volunteer to lead a field trip, or if there is a place you’d
like to botanize, please contact Doug Ripley at [email protected].
Tucson Chapter News & Southern Arizona Doings
Chapter Officer Vacancy: Field Trip Coordinator! Arranges field trips. Coordinates with field trip
leaders to verify dates. Ensures that trip leaders have the field trip guidelines and that they have arranged a
meeting place and carpooling. Obtains from the trip leaders a list of all trip participants and a short summary
of the outing for the chapter archives and website. Submits timely write-ups for all trips to the person
coordinating the newsletter articles for inclusion in Happenings. Please contact our President, Doug Ripley, at
[email protected] if you might consider this position.
Fall Plant Sales:
Tucson Botanical Gardens – Sept. 26
Desert Survivors – Oct. 3 & 4
Tohono Chul – Oct. 10 & 11
Tabling: The Tucson Chapter will be tabling at several events this Fall, and we need help delivering our
messages about growing native, removing invasive non-natives, and planting for pollinators. If you are willing
to take a shift or two, please call or email Lia Sansom, our Outreach Chair at [email protected] or 9404888. Tabling events will be posted on our local Tucson e-list.
Buffelgrass Removal
Sonoran Desert Weedwackers, Tucson Mt. Park work the third Saturday of each month, usually meeting at
the Caretaker’s House across from the Desert Museum. To volunteer, contact Marilyn Hanson at
[email protected].
Sonoran Desert Weedwackers, Saguaro National Park East work the second Saturday of each month,
meeting at the Visitor Center of the Rincon Mt. District. To volunteer contact Bethany Hontz at
[email protected] or 520-733-5187.
Buffelgrass Outreach Volunteer Training, Sept. 10, 9 am–noon: Attend this workshop to gain the latest
information on the buffelgrass invasion in the Sonoran Desert. Designed for prospective Buffelgrass Outreach
Volunteers, the training will show the Power Point and video currently presented by Pima County volunteers
to local community groups. Extensive background information on buffelgrass and fountain grass will be
provided, including how to identify these grasses, how they became a serious threat, and what can be done to
control their spread into natural and urban areas. Upon completion of the training, Buffelgrass Outreach
Volunteers will be called upon to respond to requests for presentations from local groups, and to staff Pima
County Buffelgrass informational booths at local community events. No fee. Reservations required. Meet
at Brandi Fenton Park, 3482 E. River Rd., Tucson 85718. For more information contact: Meg Quinn at 520615-7855 x 105 or [email protected]
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 8
Tanque Verde Weedwackers, Sept 19: Join Sally Danielson and faithful crew for this event. More info:
[email protected]
Field Trip Report
Ruby, Aug. 7–9, 2009. Report by Nancy Zierenberg
Ten of us ventured to Ruby Arizona, a ghost town since the early 1940s, to
continue work on a plant list for the area and take in the other natural wonders
there. This privately owned property of more than 300 acres is being managed for
conservation values, and efforts are underway to restore some of the adobe
buildings still on site. Silver, copper, lead and zinc were mined beginning in the
1870s and ending in 1941. A registered historic landmark, Ruby is open to the
Mammillaria macdouglii. The
public for a modest fee Thurs.–Sun.
taproot pulls the body of the
cactus into the ground during
We camped on the old mine tailings, which was like being on a white sand
drought. Photo ©N. Zierenberg
beach, but without the ocean! We were between two lakes, one being quite
wonderful for swimming and cooling off after a day’s hike.
Exploring Ruby in a few different directions, we did some plant collecting and discovered a few more
species to add to our growing plant list of more than 225 species on the Ruby property. On Sunday, we were
treated to a talk & walk with Sundog, the caretaker of Ruby, on
medicinal and other uses of native plants. He is always generous in
sharing all that he has learned.
Both evenings we watched Mexican free-tail bats spiraling
upward as they left their roosting spot in one of the mines. There
are on-going efforts to count the bats, and I think it’s safe to say
that this colony has upwards of 130,000 bats at times. Both nights
we saw and heard a family of great-horned owls near the opening,
also waiting for the bats to fly, and witnessed one take a bat.
Previously seen species feeding on bats are scrub jays and a
peregrine falcon taking them on the wing!
We had 3 black-light set-ups on Sat. night in different areas to
lure in moths, beetles, and other insects. Soon after dark, the white
sheets started filling up. Thanks to Joe Cicero for helping us sort
the insects and identify what we were seeing. A daytime insect treat was observing large cicada-killing wasps
as they hunted, found females for mating, and hungrily slurped fermenting tree sap from holes perhaps made
by woodpeckers. Two wasp researchers from eastern universities generously shared their knowledge and
observations of these interactions. The sapping area was very near our kitchen area, so we were all happy to
hear that these large wasps (up to a couple inches) were not aggressive, and the sting doesn’t hurt all that
much!
On the sting scale, those in-the-know proclaimed that Cnidoscolus angustidens (mala mujer) carried the
more vicious sting, and we saw plenty of those in bloom on the hillsides of Ruby!
Sundog, the Ruby caretaker, leads a
medicinal plant hike.
Yuma Chapter
President: Karen Reichhardt ([email protected]).
Monthly Meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the THIRD Thursday of each month, October to May, at the
Yuma Crossing State Historic Park on the north end of Fourth Avenue. Field trips meet the Saturday
following the meeting at 8:30 am in the BLM office parking lot (2555 East Gila Ridge Road), unless
otherwise noted. For more information contact: [email protected].
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 9
BOARD HAPPENINGS
AZNPS State Board Meeting, Highlands Center, Prescott, August 2, 2009
In attendance were: Suzanne Cash (Phoenix, State Secretary), Tom Fox (Yuma Chapter Treasurer), C.
Doug Green (Phoenix Chapter President), Barb Phillips (Flagstaff, State President, Editorial Committee chair),
Doug Ripley (Tucson Chapter President), Arlene Stigen (Tucson, State Treasurer), Kendall Kroesen (Tucson,
Membership Chair), Nancy Zierenberg (Tucson, Outreach, Merchandise, and Administrative Ass’t to Board).
Guests were Sue Smith and Jim Morgan, Prescott, and Theresa Gribble, Yuma.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between AZNPS, the U.S. Forest Service, Desert Botanical
Garden, and the Museum of Northern Arizona, under which AZNPS may supply volunteers to the Plant Atlas
Project of Arizona (PPAZ) as an in-kind contribution.
The Board agreed to (re)adopt www.aznps.com as our web address, after the .org address was scalped.
The next quarterly Board meeting will be November 8 in Casa Grande, at a location to be announced.
News from Around the State
We’re on Facebook!
Carianne Funicelli of the Tucson Chapter has created a Facebook page for the Tucson Chapter and the
AZNPS Conservation Committee, and it has fast become a gathering place for all who are interested in
Arizona native plants. Just weeks old, the AZNPS Facebook page already has more than 125 “friends.” People
have begun posting plant pictures and asking for help in identification. Facebook is the three-year-old internet
social networking site, where individuals, groups, and organizations interact around common interests using
Facebook web pages. It’s free and easy to join the fun. Just sign up at www.facebook.com and search for
Arizona Native Plant Society.
Screen shot of the AZNPS Facebook page
State Archivist: Unique Opportunity for Involvement
The State Archivist is responsible for organizing and maintaining the documents that record the history of
AZNPS. These include board minutes, policies, contracts, grant information, financial and tax reports,
inventory files, correspondence with governmental authorities, newsletters, and plant lists.
The person serving as volunteer archivist needs to have good organizational skills and be willing and able to
file new documents at least quarterly. The archives are located in a storeroom in central Tucson and are
accessible between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm daily.
Persons interested in this position should contact Nancy Zierenberg at 520-882-7663 or [email protected].
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 10
Merchandise Committee Opportunities
The existing Merchandise Committee is looking for someone with business experience in selecting,
ordering, and marketing merchandise to serve as the volunteer chair of the committee.
The committee makes recommendations to the Board relating how best to handle current inventory and
develop new products. Products we sell are intended to educate the public about native plants and/or raise
awareness of AZNPS while bringing in revenue to support the society.
People interested in serving as either chair or members of the Merchandise Committee should contact
Arlene Stigen at 520-885-1005 or [email protected].
Women’s Datura Scoop-Neck Tee-Shirts in Stock! Due to popular demand, we now have our society
Datura tee shirt in a women’s cut with a scoop neck and shorter sleeves. The color is not the former deep
purple, but is called “violet,” somewhere between the purple and lavender. It is available for $16 (plus
shipping) in sizes small, medium, large, and extra large. To order, see our website at
www.aznps.com/merchandise. These make excellent and much appreciated gifts.
Mailing Label Mysteries: Notice that your permanent renewal month is now on the mailing label next to
your name. You will receive a renewal reminder postcard or email, but we no longer acknowledge the receipt
of your renewal check. Please make note of your renewal month. Even though you may renew late, your
month will not change!
Workplace Giving to Support AZNPS
You can now make contributions through your workplace to support Arizona Native Plant Society as part of
the Combined Federal Campaign (AZNPS #38438), and the State Employees Charitable Campaign. We are
also a member group of the Environmental Fund for Arizona (www.efaz.org) which supports many of our
state’s conservation and environmental organizations. Employees of the federal government, Arizona state
government, some counties, and other workplaces can contribute through their workplace giving programs. If
you don’t have a workplace giving program, see the EFAZ website to find out how we can help get one
started. The EFAZ website lists businesses with campaigns supporting EFAZ organizations, but that list needs
to be expanded. Feel free to contact Laine Seaton ([email protected]) with ideas or suggestions!
2010 Miller/Saylor Publication and Ginny Saylor Research Grants
The Tucson Chapter is once again offering two grant programs in 2010, thanks to the generous bequest of
Ms. Ginny Saylor, a long-time Tucson Chapter member. The deadline for submission of grant applications is
March 1, 2010.
Miller/Saylor Publication Grant: A total of $1,000 will be awarded to one or more publication projects.
Individuals or nonprofit organizations may apply for a grant to assist with publications that contribute to the
scientific knowledge or public understanding of native plants and their environments or to native plant
conservation.
Awards will be made for purposes such as assisting with publication in a scientific journal, publishing
regional plant lists for general distribution, paying for publication artwork, producing brochures or booklets
for the general public or educational materials for schools, or developing web pages.
Grants will be awarded to publication projects that focus on Arizona native plants and reach the broadest
audience possible. Applications will be judged on the basis of their consistency with the purposes and
selection criteria described above. Detailed proposal requirements are on our website at
http://www.aznps.com/grants.html.
Ginny Saylor Research Grant: One $500 research grant will be awarded to an individual, group, or
institution to support research that enhances our understanding of native Arizona plants. The grant may be
used to fund the cost of a project or to supplement other funding. Only research involving native Arizona
plants will be considered; research involving exotic species or the relationship of exotic to native plants is not
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 11
eligible. Funds are for research only: thus, using funds for transportation to a research site is acceptable; using
them to attend conferences or symposia is not.
We encourage projects that include a citizen science component. We invite researchers at all levels of
expertise to participate, including individuals, teachers on behalf of school children, college and grad students,
professional researchers, and so on. AZNPS members are encouraged to apply, but AZNPS membership is not
required. The grant recipient will be expected to make a presentation to the Tucson Chapter or other AZNPS
chapter on the results of the research. Detailed proposal requirements are on our website at
http://www.aznps.com/grants.html.
Welcome to our new members!
Flagstaff
Katherine Hilton
Louise Hublitz
Samantha Leffler
Diane Meuser
Sue Rodman
Shelley Silva
Oenothera caespitosa, tufted evening primrose, from
a Flagstaff garden. Photo ©Dorothy Lamm
Phoenix
Diana Stuart
Tucson
Patricia DeWitt
Sarah Rankin
Valerie Thim
Beatrice Kabler
(Green Valley)
Guardiola platyphylla at Ruby. In the U.S., this plant occurs
only in three Arizona counties. Photo ©Nancy Zierenberg
Happenings – Fall 2009, page 12
ARIZONA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
P.O. Box 41206
Tucson, AZ 85717
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
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The Arizona Native Plant Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Visit the AZNPS website at www.aznps.com
MOVING? When you change addresses, please send us a change of address card before you
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Arizona Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 41206
Tucson, AZ 85717
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$ 60
$ 100
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