Update   Austin-NPSOT Party

Cathy would like to invite NPSOT people to come earlier to the NPSOT party so
we can take advantage of daylight for plant swapping and garden touring.

The meeting will be at Cathy Nordstrom's home at
6311 Maury Hollow in Austin. It is a pot luck supper
and we'll eat at 7:00. We will also have a Plant Swap
and that will happen from 6:00 to 7:00 in the driveway
of Cathy's home. If you get off work at 5:00, come
over and hang out any time after 5:30. If having a
chair to sit on is important to you, please bring one
along. Hope to see you all there!

Directions to 6311 Maury Hollow (346-6797):
Turn west off 360 at Lakewood Drive. Take the
second right onto Waldon Drive. Then take the fourth
  left onto Maury Hollow. Park anywhere on the
cul-de-sac or on Big Oak Hollow.

See you Tuesday,

Cathy
David

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [NPSOT-NPAT]
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 20:34:27 -0600
From: Jonathan Ogren <ogren@...>
Reply-To: NPSOT-NPAT@yahoogroups.com
To: Jonathan Ogren <ogren@...>

Join us for a beautiful day among the trees at:

Tree Talk and Winter Walk
at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in partnership with Tree
Folks

Cooler weather signals a great time of year to plant trees. Tree Talk
Winter Walk is a great opportunity to learn more, and purchase a native
Texas tree for your home. More than 30 species will be available for
sale.Click here for a list of species.


This one-day event is packed with organized walks, talks,
demonstrations, and useful information on trees including: proper tree
care and maintenance, dealing with oak wilt, landscaping with trees, and
how to protect your house from wildland fires.

DATE:  Saturday, January 18, 2003

TIME:  Noon to 4 p.m.

COST:  Free

PLACE: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
		 4801 La Crosse, Austin, TX 78739

ACTIVITIES AND SPEAKERS

Noon Kid's Activity: Kid's Tree Planting
Noon Walk: "Landscaping with Trees" with Elizabeth McGreevy Seiler
12:30 Kid's Activity: Tree Detective Hike
1:00 Talk: "Historic Trees of Texas" with Pete Smith, Texas Forest
Service
2:00 Talk: "Urban-Wildland Interface, What is it and What are the
Risks?" with Kevin Baum  Austin Fire Department
2:15 Walk: "Trees and Their Uses" with Patty Leslie Pasztor
2:30 Talk: "Oak Wilt in Central Texas" with Jim Rooni, Texas Forest
Service
2:45 Kid's Activity: Tree Detective Hike
3:00 Walk: "How to Care for Your Trees" with Don Gardner
4:00 Demonstration: Tree Planting with Tree Folks
Morning Tree Planting with TreeFolks:
Join TreeFolks at Kealing Park - 9am - 11am on January 18,2003. Come
prepared to plant trees.  To sign up for the tree planting activity and
get directions contact TreeFolks at 443-5323 or admin@....
Find out more at: <http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=47>
Follow up Workshops:
Propagating Woody Plants
Tree Care and Pruning
Designing Your Landscape with Trees
Texas Trees and Their Uses





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January Chapter Meeting: "Plant Show and Tell"

Tuesday, January 21st, 2003, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Wild Basin Wilderness

Several members will bring interesting native plants to the chapter meeting
for a Plant Show and Tell.  Fascinating facts and propagation techniques will
be discussed.  If you have an intriguing native plant and/or propagation
technique to discuss, bring it to Plant Show and Tell!

For more information or directions to the meeting, see
http://www.npsot.org/Austin/

Hi all,

The enclosed document (with pictures removed) is from Flo Oxley announcing
the training for search and recovery of Streptanthus bracteatus.

The Georgetown training is fast approaching, and we need AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE
to sign up to prevent the training from being cancelled.

The Georgetown training (Feb 15) will be a half-day session, beginning at
12:30 pm and continuing through 4:30 pm.  The location of the Georgetown
training is now determined: Williamson County Central Maintenance Facility
Training Room (Extension office).

The Austin training (March 29) will be a full day, from 10 am through 4 pm.

See y'all there!
MW

----

Streptanthus Conservation Corps 2003

We’re looking for a few good volunteers!

Bracted twistflower (Streptanthus bracteatus) is a beautiful plant that
grows only on the Edwards Plateau.  This Hill Country endemic is
threatened by suburban development and browsing by ever-increasing
populations of white-tailed deer.

This spring, a group of botanists and volunteers will begin searching
public land in Travis County in an effort to gather information that
will lead to a brighter future for this Hill Country treasure.

Training for volunteers who would like to help with this effort will be
held in Georgetown (location to be determined) February 15 and in Austin
at Bright Leaf State Natural Area March 29.

This training is free.

For more information or to sign up for the training, contact Flo Oxley,
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, at oxley@... or
(512) 292-4200 ext. 160.

The Streptanthus Conservation Corps Needs YOU!

Hi folks,

Don't miss this Monday's presentation by Dr. Larry Gilbert on "Passionvines
and their Butterflies".

This is a rare opportunity to listen to Dr. Gilbert, who is being sponsored
by the Austin Butterfly Forum.

The ABF meeting will be at 7pm on Monday January 27, at the Zilker Garden
Center Auditorium.

For more information, call John Kelly at 331-8693.


MW

Sorry for the short notice - this promises to be a great celebration coming
up THIS SATURDAY March 15.

----------

BALCONES CANYONLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CELEBRATES THE
100TH BIRTHDAY OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

The year 2003 marks the 100th birthday celebration of the National Wildlife
Refuge System.  The general public is cordially invited to visit Balcones
Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, March 15.  In celebration,
special nature walks will be offered at two of the refuge public use areas:
Warbler Vista and Doeskin Ranch from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   These guided
nature walks are free to the general public.

Warbler Vista Trail:
Participants will be looking for the earliest arriving Golden-cheeked
Warblers during the nature walks at Warbler Vista.  Other topics featured on
the trail will be discussed as well.  The walks begin at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00
a.m. and last about one hour and fifteen minutes.   Warbler Vista is on the
north side of FM 1431 just west of Lago Vista.  Meet at the Cactus Rocks
Trail.   Bring your binoculars!

Doeskin Ranch:
Most of the guided nature walks will be conducted at Doeskin Ranch on RR
1174 about 4.5 miles north of the junction with FM 1431.  The early guided
nature walk is a bird tour.  Please bring your binoculars.  This walk begins
at 8:30 a.m. and lasts about one hour.  You will learn about other features
of Doeskin Ranch and resource management practices during the other nature
walks offered during the day.  The general nature walk schedule is as
follows: 10:00 a.m. - noon, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Visitors should meet at the bulletin board for all Doeskin Ranch walks.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only system of Federal lands
dedicated first and foremost to the conservation of wildlife.   This
nation-wide network of prime habitat helps protect migrating birds, common
and endangered species, and premier fisheries.   Please join us  to enjoy
this area’s natural heritage.  Call Rob Iski at (512) 339-9432 x 42 for
information.

Andrea DeLong-Amaya of the Wildflower Center forwarded information about a
wetlands plant bioblitz with David Mahler to be held at Hornsby Bend on April
12th.

  > From: David Mahler <dvmahler@...>
  >
  > Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 15:58:01 -0600
  > Subject: wetland plants bioblitz
  >
  >     Potential bioblitzer,   I have volunteered to lead a small group of
  >     people to look for wetland plants at a bioblitz at the Hornsby Bend,
  >     City of Austin property. We will meet at the main building at 9am
  >     Sat. April 12. The tentative plan is to be out in the field until
  >     lunch, do a little microscope id. at lunch, then head out for a
  >     little more field work after lunch if there are some areas that we
  >     haven't hit in the morning. There may be some good wetland plants
  >     along the river, in old quarries and in old ponds, although it will
  >     be too early in the year to have the seeds  etc, necessary for id
  >     for some species. There will be a terrestrial plants team also
  >     working, and we will surely dabble it that also. If  you want to
  >     join us let me know if possible, or join us last minute. Warning- we
  >     may need to go into some areas thick with poison ivy. I will try to
  >     warn people as much as possible and make some suggestion for
  >     possible ways to meet us on the other side if possible, but I expect
  >     to be plunging through to get to some good places. I have hardly any
  >     email list so please feel free to pass this invite on to others.
  >     Directions: Go east on 71 past Bergstrom and go north on 973 approx
  >     1 mile to the entrance of Hornsby and go to the first building, OR
  >     go East on 969  and go south on 973 approx 2-3 miles to Hornsby.
  >     Thanks David Mahler  458 8531

Jonathan Ogren of the Wildflower Center sent out some information about
upcoming workshops and events at the Center.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [NPSOT-NPAT] Wildflower Center Workshops and More
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 17:51:56 -0600
From: Jonathan Ogren <ogren@...>
Reply-To: NPSOT-NPAT@yahoogroups.com
To: Jonathan Ogren <ogren@...>

Join us this Spring to get a little closer to nature:

http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=course_catalog

Gardening With Deer-It's a Growing Problem!
April 3, Thurs. 6:30-8:30pm

Wildflower Center Photo Team
April 10 first class 6:30 pm (year long course)

Butterfly Basics and Caterpillar Conduct
April 12, Sat. 9am-12:30pm

Butterfly Gardening Nature's Way
April 12, Sat. 1:30-4:30pm

Propagating Native Plants
April 15 & 17 6:30pm, April 19, 9am (class meets 3 times)

Botany for Everyone
April 17, 24, & May 1, 6-8pm (class meets 3 times)

Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines of the Hill Country
May 3, Sat. 9:30am-noon

Other Events:

"Plant Conservation in the New Millennium"
Lecture by Peter Crane, Director of Royal Botanic Garden-KEW
Sunday March 30, at 2pm
Free with admission to the Center

http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=102
Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival

Open to the Public Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Members-only preview sale Friday, April 4 from 1 to 7 p.m.

This plant sale boasts the largest selection of native plants in Central
Texas with some 290 species and 23,000 plants from which to choose.
Native plant experts are available all day to help you make the best
choice for your garden.

for a complete list of plants, talks, and walks go to:
http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=102

Jonathan Ogren
Public Programs Manager
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
PH: (512)292-4200 ext. 115
Fax: (512)292-4627
www.wildflower.org

Dick Davis of the Wildflower Center is hunting for volunteers for the Spring
vegetation sampling.

From: Dick Davis <ddavis@...>

The time is approaching for Spring vegetation sampling at the Lady Bird
Johnson Wildflower Center, and we are rounding up volunteers.  We would
love to have you along if you are interested again in participating.
Sampling will begin on Wednesday, April 16, and will probably last for 3
or 4 weeks.  We are asking for a commitment of at least two 4-hour
sessions during this time.  Training will be offered on any of the
4-hour sessions from April 10 to April 13, but is not necessary if you
have participated before.   I have attached some further information.
If you have trouble opening the attachment please call or e-mail me.

Thank You,

Dick Davis
Land Steward
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Av
Austin TX 78739-1702
(512) 292-4200 x 251

--------------------------------------------------

Volunteers, Paid Assistants Wanted for Vegetation Surveys
At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Learn the Native Grasses and Wildflowers While Conducting Scientific Research
Hone your plant identification skills while contributing to research on
Central Texas ecosystems.  Time is drawing near for our perennially popular
veggie monitoring at the Wildflower Center.  Every spring and fall we train
volunteers to help in our on-site research area studies, where plots are
burned or mowed at different times of the year to examine the effects on plant
communities.  All experience levels are welcome: the plant surveys will be
conducted in small teams, with staff members nearby at all times.  New
participants in the surveys will attend one four-hour training class, and
commit to at least two four-hour field sessions.  Training is optional for
those of you who have volunteered in the past.

Monitoring begins on Thursday, April 16 and will continue on Wednesdays thru
Sundays until we finish, usually about two to three weeks.   On those days you
can choose between a morning shift, 9am to 1pm; or an afternoon shift, 2pm to
6pm.

Training:  The training is being offered on any of four dates, and takes about
four hours.  In the training you will learn how to collect the data and
receive a crash course on plant identification.  The plant i.d. portion will
focus on field identification of plants frequently encountered in the survey,
and will largely take the form of a nature walk.  Former volunteers who
remember the data collection techniques, but would like a refresher course on
plant identification may attend only that part of the orientation.  Training
dates are:  Thursday, April 10 at 2p.m.; Friday, April 11 at 9am; Saturday
April 12 at 9am; or Sunday, April 13 at 1pm.

Paid Positions Available for Vegetation Survey.
If you are able to commit more time to our vegetation surveys, we have a few
temporary paid positions for data collectors.  We are hiring several research
assistants to work 5 days per week (Wednesday- Sunday), with 20 or 40 hours
per week commitments.  The positions should only last two to three weeks.  The
primary duty will be leading and assisting volunteer data collectors in the
field.  Other duties may include data entry, and laboratory identification of
unknown plants, depending on abilities.  You don’t need to be a plant expert,
but should be detail oriented, and have the ability and desire to learn about
the local flora.  Plant surveys will begin on April 16, but research
assistants will also be paid to attend a four-hour training session between
April 10 and April 13.   Please send a brief e-mail or letter describing your
qualifications.  Deadline for inquiries is April 1.

For more information or to sign up for one of the training sessions, contact
Dick Davis at ddavis@... or 292-4200 x 251.  Please specify whether
you are interested in a volunteer or paid position.

<Note: please contact Mike at mikew@... if you are interested.>

I am forwarding this message from Kevin Anderson regarding the Austin
BioBlitz early in April.

I don't see NPSOT included in the groups participating, but i think we
should be involved in this effort.  I know it is a bit late to start
planning, but maybe we can get a group together to participate in one or
both of the days.

Is anyone willing to spearhead this?

Mike


-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin.Anderson@... <Kevin.Anderson@...>
Date: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:40 PM
Subject: Austin Biodiversity Project First Annual BioBlitz 11-12 April 2003


>Austin Biodiversity Project
>First Annual BioBlitz
>Center for Environmental Research--Hornsby Bend
>11-12 April 2003
>
>The Austin Biodiversity Project is sponsoring its first annual BioBlitz--a
>24 hour inventory of all species found at Hornsby Bend--from 8pm-8pm 11-12
>April 2003.  For this event, teams of experts and volunteers will try to
>find and identify as many species of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes
as
>possible on 1200 acres of forest, fields, river, and ponds.  This is a
great
>way to share your specialized knowledge of local species, or to learn more
>about the wide variety of organisms living in the Austin area.
>
>Groups participating:
>* Texas Memorial Museum
>* UT Integrative Biology
>* UT Geography
>* ACC Biology
>* St. Edwards Biology
>* Texas Parks and Wildlife
>* TCEQ
>* Travis Cooperative Extension
>* City of Austin PARD Natural Resources Division
>* Travis Audubon Society
>* Treefolks
>* Bat Conservation International
>* Austin Butterfly Forum
>* Capital Area Master Naturalists
>
>
>Experts and volunteers are still needed to form and join teams for this
>survey.  If you are interested in participating on a survey team, or for
>more information, contact Kevin Anderson at kevin.anderson@...
>or 512-972-1960.
>
>Additionally, Texas Parks and Wildlife Naturetrackers Program staff will be
>teaching two workshops in conjunction with the Bioblitz -
>
> Friday April 11 5:30pm-10pm Amphibian Watch $10
> Saturday April 12 9am-3pm Mussel Watch $10
> Contact Marsha Reimer for information and reservations at
>marsha.reimer@... or (512) 912-7062.
>
>Austin Biodiversity P Mission: To maximize sustainable populations of all
>native species in the Austin area.
>
>The Austin Biodiversity Project is a cooperative partnership organized to
>engage the residents of Central Texas in preserving native biodiversity
>through:
> * Salvaging and growing local ecotype plants and seeds
> * Inventorying, Surveying, and Monitoring populations
>of all native species
> * Using collected biodiversity information to guide
>local conservation efforts
> * Promoting community awareness and enjoyment of
>biodiversity in Central Texas
>
>
>Kevin M. Anderson, Coordinator
>The Center for Environmental Research
>Austin Water and Wastewater Utility
>Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant
>2210 South FM 973, Austin, Texas 78725
>Phone 512.972.1960 Fax 512.972.1900 Mobile 512.689.6412
>
>The Hornsby Bend Partnership
>http://www.esb.utexas.edu/hornsby
>The Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
>http://www.hornsbybend.org
>

[Mod. note: Pam is seeking advice and information on a weed ordinance
violation she received.  Please send any information to her at
openiys@... .]

I have a mow order from the city under it's horribly outdated weed
ordinance.  What I have basically been told is that only plants on
the citys Grow Green list of recommended plants can be exempted from
the weed ordinance.  Absurd, but that's what they said. Has anyone
had experience with the city on this weed ordinance issue?  I am not
in an area with any kind of property restrictions or neighborhood
restrictions other than the city ordinance, so that's my only concern
at this point.  Thanks for any info you have.
Pam

Agnes sent the following announcement our way:

-----Original Message-----
*From:* Rob Fergus [mailto:fergus@...]
*Sent:* Friday, May 23, 2003 4:12 PM
*Subject:* National Trails Day at Bright Leaf State Nautral Area (Free
Admission)

The following announcement comes from Tom Delaney and the Friends of
Bright Leaf State Natural Area


*National Trails Day*
Saturday, June 7th
*Bright Leaf State Natural Area FREE ADMISSION*
8:30 am till 2:00 pm
Park phone: 459-7269

Sponsored by Friends of Bright Leaf State Natural Area (a nonprofit
organization created to promote and eventually open Bright Leaf SNA) and
the Central Texas Trailtamers, a trail building club.

           National Trails Day is a nationwide event sponsored by the
American Hiking Society, to get people out hiking, building,
maintaining, and otherwise volunteering to support, promote, and
maintain the trails on our public lands.

           Here in Austin, National Trails Day will be honored at Bright
Leaf SNA. Due to the severe budget constraints at Texas Parks and
Wildlife these days, this beautiful area right in the middle of Austin
is not yet open to the public. This day will be a rare opportunity for
everyone to experience the 216 acre park, with 7 miles of trails, right
in the heart of Austin.

           There will be a number of varying length hikes, led by
geologists, botanists, and birders. This area is habitat for an
endangered species of bird, the Golden-cheeked Warbler. A children's
craft area will also be available, as well as information on local park
organizations, and a demonstration work project by the Central Texas
Trailtamers, a trail construction club. We will also have plenty of
snacks, sodas, and  water on hand, generously donated by local businesses.

           Almost all of the trails in the Austin area have been built and
maintained through volunteer labor. This is due, in part, to those
budget restraints placed upon the agencies that oversee our park
systems. National Trails Day will honor all of those trail volunteers
past, and maybe help us recruit a few more for the future.

           Bright Leaf SNA is located near the intersection of RR2222 and
Mesa Drive. One block west of Mesa Dr. on 2222, turn south onto Creek
Mountain (the only way you can turn), follow it down the hill and around
the bend to the right at the bottom. You will immediately see the
parking lot for the park on your left. Stop on by and check us out.

Andrea DeLong-Amaya of the Wildflower Center sent an announcement about summer
programs our way.

=== Summer Programs at the Wildflower Center ===

Join us for these Summer Programs at the Wildflower Center:

** Natural History of the Hill Country Workshop Series **

Join us for a series of workshops about the origins, history and state
of the Texas Hill Country as we explore the major factors that created
this unique ecoregion.

    Individual workshops: $27(m)/ $30(nm)
    Full Series: $130(m)/ $150(nm)
    /register and find out more at:
    http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=course_catalog/

    * Geology with Bill Ward, Ph.D. *

    Saturday, June 14, 9am to 12:30

    Explore the origins of the hill country from a geological perspective.

    * Wildlife with Kelly Bender *

    Saturday, June 14, 1:30am to 5pm

    Discuss the animals of the Hill Country and their influence on the shape
    of the land with the author of _Texaswildscapes_

    * Vegetation with Bill Carr *

    Saturday, July 19, 9am to 12:30pm

    Investigate the plants and plant communities that inhabit the hill
    country with one of the foremost field botanist in Texas

    * Weather with Troy Kimmel/(time may switch to July 19) *

    Saturday, July 19, 1:30 to 5:00pm

    Discuss the major weather patterns that have shaped the Hill Country
    Landscape with the KEYE weatherman and UT lecturer.

    * Culture with Robin Doughty, Ph.D. *

    Saturday, July 26, 9am to 12:30pm

    Overview of human habitation in Hill Country with major emphasis placed
    on early settler perspectives and modern relationship of humans and
    nature with the author of _At Home in Texas: Early Views of the Land_,
    and _Wildlife and Man in Texas,_

    * Ecology with Mark Simmons *

    Saturday, July 26, 1:30 to 5pm

    Bring it all together and understand the relationships of geology,
    weather, plant communities, human habitation, and wildlife with the
    Wildflower Center's Restoration Ecologist.


* Native Plant Gardening 101 with Andrea DeLong-Amaya *

*June 12, 19, 26, July 3,10, and 17, 6:30 to 8:30(meets all dates)*

$100(m)/ $110(nm)

Upon completion of this course participants will have all the
information they need to design, install, and maintain a native plant
garden. Topics include: site analysis, landscape concepts, plant
characteristics and selection, site preparation and installation,
maintenance, and further resources.* *


*Nature at Night*

To Celebrate Summer, the Center is open late Thursdays in July and
August, 5:30-9pm. Free (m)/$1(nm)


* Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged with Richard Heinrich *

*Saturday, July 19, 9am to noon.*

$30(m)/$35(nm)

Join the Mayor of Tank Town, for a seminar discussing all the
information you need to know to make rainwater collection a reality at
your home.


* How to Know _Trees of Texas_- Free Lecture *

August 30, Noon to 1pm

Join Carmine Stahl and Ria McElvaney, authors of the newly released
_Trees of Texas_, for a discussion of the Texas trees, identifying
characteristics, interesting information, and tree related activities.


* Adult Museum Programs with Dr. Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer *

*August 29, 9am to 4:30pm*

*$95(m)/ $105(nm) */(includes lunch and a copy of Adult Museum Programs:
Designing Meaningful Experiences by instructor)/**

This workshop will focus on the elements that make good adult
educational programs.  Dr. Sachatello-Sawyer will showcase the
information gained when researching over 116 museums, nature centers,
and botanical gardens for her recently released book, _Adult Museum
Programs: Designing Meaningful Experiences_.  For more information go
to: www.wildflower.org/?nd=prof_dev <http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=prof_dev>



/To register for these program online or find out more go to:
http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=course_catalog/

Jonathan Ogren
Public Programs Manager
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
PH: (512)292-4200 ext. 115
Fax: (512)292-4627
www.wildflower.org

Marcia Hermann sent the following announcement for the Second Biennial Texas
Prairies and Savannahs Conference:

Semi-final Conference program, dated 5/17/03

  From Soil to Seeds
Second Biennial Texas Prairies and Savannahs Conference
July 11-13, 2003
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Friday, July 11, 2003: Workshops
Cost:  $15.00 each
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Registration table open
9:00 a.m. Morning workshop Session
Using USDA Soil Surveys to Evaluate Sites in the Field. Presented by Billy
Kniffen
Protecting Soils and Plant Diversity through Conservation Easements. Presented
by Jennifer Lorenz

2:00 p.m. Afternoon Workshop Session
Bacteria, Fungi, and Nematodes associated with Roots. Presented by Linda Adair
Developing Sustainable Soils. Presented by Steve wood and Peter Cangelosi

Saturday, July 12, 2003: Invited Talks, Members’ Meeting and Evening Social
Cost: $40.00

8:00 a.m.- 5 p.m. Registration table open
Morning Session: Soil Basics
Moderator: James Alderson

9:00-9:15 a.m. Introductory Remarks by Steve Windhager, representing the
Wildflower Center and John Pickett, representing the Native Prairies Association

9:15-9:45 a.m. Texas Soils 101 with emphasis on Prairies. James Greeneade

9:45-10:15 a.m.  Strategies for Restoring Degraded Rangeland Soils—James
Alderson

10:15-10:45 a.m. Break

10:45-11:15 a.m. Soil Dynamics—Walt Davis

11:15 –12:00 noon Question and Answer Period

12:00—1:30 Lunch

1:30—2:00 Annual Members Meeting
Afternoon Session: Texas Initiatives on Increasing Native Seeds
Moderator: Evelyn Merz

2:00-2:15 The need for Legislative Support—Evelyn Merz

1:15-2:30 The South Texas Project—John Lloyd Reilly

2:30-2:45 The North Texas Project—Mike Miller

2:45-3:00 The Texas coastal Project—Ralph Taylor

3:00-3:20 Break

3:20-4:00 Development of a State Certified Site-identified Seed Program: Texas
Perspective—Mark Hussey

4:00  4:40 The Iowa Ecotype Project—Kirk Henderson

4:50to 5:00 Question and Answer Period

6:00 to 8:00 Evening Social with Food and Libations

Sunday, July 13: Field Trips
Cost: $15.00 each
All field trips will begin at 8:00 a.m. Pick up directions at the registration
table on Friday or Saturday

Indiangrass preserve, Eastern Travis Coundy, Blackland site, led by Rene
Barrera and Steve Wood
Balcones Canyonlands national Wildlife Refuge, Burnet County, led by Bill Reiner
Granger Lake Gene Bank, Williamson County, prairie plant collection, led by
Scott Lenharth and Coby Dinges
Freeeman Ranch, Hays county, Southwest Texas State University. Research site,
led by Baron Rector

The Second Biennial Texas Prairies and Savannahs Conference is coming
up soon! The following is an updated registration form (and the the late
registration fee has been dropped).

Information can also be found at:
http://www.texasprairie.org/events/conf2003.htm

³From Soil to Seeds²
Second Biennial Texas Prairies and Savannahs Conference
July 11-13, 2003
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas


The Wildflower Center is located at 4801 La Crosse Avenue in Austin
(512-292-4100).  See detailed directions at the Center¹s web site
www.wildflower.org.  All events except field trips will be held at the
Wildflower Center.


Conference Sponsors

Native Prairies Association of Texas
American Farmland Trust
Bexar County Audubon Society
Holistic Resource Management of Texas
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Native Plant Society of Texas
Georgetown Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas
Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Texas Organization of Wildlife Management Associations
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Riparian Association
Welder Wildlife Foundation



Suggested Overnight Accommodations


Fairfield Inn by Mariott, 4525 South I-35, Austin.  512-707-8899.  Ask if
you can still have the NPAT Conference special rate of $59/night
(single or double) plus 15% tax.

Excel Inn, 2711 South I-35, Austin.  512-462-9201.  Regular rates $48
single or $54 double.  10% discount to persons 55 years old or older.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting John Pickett at
254-897-3646 or JDPICK@t...   This registration form is posted at
http://www.texasprairie.org .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Official Registration Form

Note.  The registration table will open at 8:00 a.m. on both Friday and
Saturday.

Friday, July 11, 2003:  Workshops  Morning workshops will start at 9:00
a.m., and afternoon workshops at 2:00 p.m.  Each workshop will last 2-3
hours.  Two workshops will run concurrently in both the morning and the
afternoon.

Morning Workshop Session
Using USDA Soil Surveys to Evaluate Sites in the Field by Billy Kniffen
____ x $15.00 = ____
Protecting Soils & Plant Diversity Thru Conservation Easements by Jennifer
Lorenz       ____ x $15.00  = _________

Afternoon Workshop Session
Bacteria, Fungi, and Nematodes Associated with Roots by Linda Adair ____ x
$15.00 =_________
Developing Sustainable Soils by Steve Wood and Peter Cangelosi
____ x $15.00 = _________

Saturday, July 12, 2003:  Invited Talks, Lunch, and Evening Social
Talks:  Current NPAT member (check mailing label on The Prairie Dog
   )____
x $40.00  =_________
Talks:  Non-member of NPAT (cost includes a one-year membership in NPAT)
____ x $60.00  =_______
Gourmet Box Lunch; indicate non-vegetarian ____ or vegetarian _____ x
$10.00
= _________
Evening Social with Food and Libations    ____ x $20.00 = _________

Sunday, July 13, 2003:  Field Trips
Reservations for field trips will be filled in the order received.
Directions to rendezvous sites for the field trips will be provided at the
Wildflower Center on Friday and Saturday.  All field trips will start at
8:00 a.m.

Indiangrass Preserve (eastern Travis County, Blackland site; limit = 20
persons)  ____x $15.00 = _____
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Burnet County; limit = 20
persons) ____x $15.00 = _____
Granger Lake Gene Bank (Williamson County; prairie plants; no limit)
____ x
$15.00 = _________
Freeman Ranch (Hays County, SW Texas State Univ. research site; no limit)
____ x $15.00 = _________

GRAND TOTAL = _________

Name(s)
____________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
State________ Zip Code_________
Telephone(s) ______________________  e-mail____________________

Make a check payable to the Native Prairies Association of Texas, or
simply NPAT, and mail it together with a completed copy of this form
to Georgia Prakash, 1905 William Brewster, Irving, Texas 75061.

Andrea DeLong-Amaya of the Wildflower Center sent along this announcement for
the 2003 Texas Plant Conservation Conference.  To register, see the
registration form at the end of this message.

Texas Plant Conservation Conference 2003
September 17 – 19, 2003

Schedule

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

8:30 Registration

9:00 Welcome

9:15 Keynote
Dr. Billie Turner
Professor Emeritus, University of Texas
History of Texas Flora

10:00 Dr. Robert Breunig
Executive Director
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Overview of Plant Conservation Strategies in Texas from the Wildflower Center
Perspective

10:20 Break

10:35 Charmaine Delmatier
Botanist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Overview of the Past Two Years:  Plant Recovery Activities, Strategies, and
Future Projects

10:55 Bryan Arroyo
Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2
Building Partnerships with Private Landowners to Conserve Habitat

11:15 Break

11:30 Susan Combs
Commissoner
Texas Department of Agriculture
The Wise Use of Texas Natural Resources

11:45 Larry Butler
State Conservationist
Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Noon Lunch

Wednesday, September 17, 2003 (continued)

2:00 Dr. Bonnie Amos
Professor
Angelo State University
Texas poppy-mallow (Callirhoe scabriuscula): Recovery and Reintroduction

2:30 Dr. Brook Milligan
New Mexico State University
Genetics and Demography of Southwestern Yellow Columbines

3:00 Break

3:15 Dr. Joe Sirotnak
Botanist, Big Bend NP
   Overview of Rare Plants in Big Bend National Park

3:45 Kathy Rice
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
West Texas and the Terlingua Creek cat's eye


4:15 Dr. Mark Welch
Vanderbilt University
The hybrid origin of the puzzle sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus) and the
biological reality of diploid hybrid taxa in general

4:45 Wrap up

5:00 Dutch treat dinner

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Panel Discussion
Format: Each panel member will speak for 15 min, then we’ll break for about 20
minutes, and then we’ll have a 1-hour discussion

8:30 Welcome

8:45 Dr. Mike Berger
Branch Chief of Private Lands & Habitat, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

9:00 Commissioner Joseph Fitzsimons
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

9:15 John Karges
Conservation Biologist, West Texas Program, The Nature Conservancy

9:30 Steve Manning
Project Manager for the Leon River Project, Central Texas Cattle Association,
and Private Land Owner, winner of this year’s national award from National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (the Chuck Yeager Award)

9:45 Bob McCan
President, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Private Land Owner

10:00 Dr. Allan McGinty
Professor and Range Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension.

10:15 Dr. Ernest Smith
Former Dean of Law, University of Texas, Specialty in Oil/Gas International
Energy, Transactions, and Environmental Law, Private Land Owner

10:30 Melinda Taylor
Senior Attorney and Program Manager of the Ecosystem Restoration Program,
Environmental Defense

10:45 Tom Taylor
Owner of Lost Canyon Resort, Private Land Owner

11:00 Break

11:30 Panel and Audience Discussion

Texas Plant Conservation Conference 2003
Schedule

Thursday, September 18, 2003 (continued)

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Species Review

5:00 Session ends

Friday, September 19, 2003

Species Review

9:00 Species review

Noon Lunch

5:00 Session ends

--------------------------------------------------------------

Texas Plant Conservation Conference
September 17 – 19, 2003
Registration Form

Please mail or fax this form with your payment to:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
Phone: 512/292-4200  FAX: 512/292-4627

Space is limited. Please register by August 29.

Name ______________________________________________________________
Agency/Organization________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State ___________ ZIP _________
Phone _____________________________FAX ____________________________
Email address _____________________________________________________

Registration Fees (lunches not included)

General Public  $45  Professionals  $35
Volunteers  $25  Students  $10

Optional box lunches $30

___ Vegetarian option

Registration fees:  $ ____________
Optional box lunches:  $ ____________
Total amount enclosed:  $ ____________

___ Mastercard ___ Visa ___ Discover  ___ Amex

Card Number  ____________________________________________________
Exp. Date  ______________________________________________________
Name on credit card  ____________________________________________
Signature _______________________________________________________

___ I will attend the Species Review

Registrar must receive cancellation notice no later that 5 pm, September 12,
2003 to receive a refund, minus a $10 processing fee.

Andrea of the Wildflower Center passed along this announcement about
upcoming Nature Night events at the center.

Nature Nights at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Every Thursday in July and August, 5:30 - 9 p.m.
$1 Admission (Free for Members)
http://www.wildflower.org/

July 3 - Nocturnal Animals - Wildlife Rescue
July 10 - Folklore Stories of the Night
July 17 - Sun Safety - American Cancer Society
July 24 - Nighttime Insects - Texas Parks and Wildlife
July 31 - Herpetology - Red Cross
August 7 - Bat Night - Bat Conservation International
August 14 - Planting Wildflowers
August 21 - Gardener's Health
August 28 - Fall-blooming Species

For more information, go to the Lady Bird Johnson
Wildflower Center Homepage at http://www.wildflower.org/

Jonathan Ogren
Public Programs Manager
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
PH: (512)292-4200 ext. 115
Fax: (512)292-4627
www.wildflower.org

July Chapter Meeting: George Altgelt of GeoGrowers
Date: Tuesday July 15, 2003
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Wild Basin Wilderness

George Altgelt of GeoGrowers, a local organic soil and soil amendments
company, will speak on a yet to be announced topic.

For directions and additional information, see the chapter website at
http://npsot.org/Austin/

Here is an announcement about the 2003 Texas Plant Conservation
Conference, to be held September 17-19 at the Lady Bird Johnson
Wildflower Center.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Flo Oxley [mailto:oxley@...]
> Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 10:01 AM
> To: Flo Oxley
> Subject: Please Share with Your Colleagues & Co-Workers
>
>
> Just a gentle reminder that the 2003 Texas Plant Conservation Conference
> is fast approaching and is shaping up to be a wonderful program. The
> conference is scheduled for September 17-19 and will be held at the Lady
> Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The program and registration form are
> attached for your use and convenience.
>
> We hope you'll be able to join us for this important event. Please feel
> free to contact me with any questions.
>
> Looking forward to seeing you at the conference next month!
>
> Flo Oxley
> Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
> 4801 La Crosse Avenue
> Austin, TX 78739
> (512) 292-4200 ext. 160
> oxley@...
>
> Educating North America about the environmental necessity, economic
> value, and natural beauty of native plants.

--- Agenda ---

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

8:30 Registration

9:00 Welcome

9:15 Keynote
Dr. Billie Turner
Professor Emeritus, University of Texas
History of Texas Flora

10:00 Dr. Robert Breunig
Executive Director
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Overview of Plant Conservation Strategies in Texas from the Wildflower
Center Perspective

10:20 Break

10:35 Charmaine Delmatier
Botanist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Overview of the Past Two Years:  Plant Recovery Activities, Strategies,
and Future Projects

10:55 Bryan Arroyo
Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2
Building Partnerships with Private Landowners to Conserve Habitat

11:15 Break

11:30 Susan Combs
Commissoner
Texas Department of Agriculture
The Wise Use of Texas Natural Resources

11:45 Larry Butler
State Conservationist
Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Noon Lunch

2:00 Dr. Bonnie Amos
Professor
Angelo State University
Texas poppy-mallow (Callirhoe scabriuscula): Recovery and Reintroduction

2:30 Dr. Brook Milligan
New Mexico State University
Genetics and Demography of Southwestern Yellow Columbines

3:00 Break

3:15 Dr. Joe Sirotnak
Botanist, Big Bend NP
   Overview of Rare Plants in Big Bend National Park

3:45 Kathy Rice
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
West Texas and the Terlingua Creek cat's eye


4:15 Dr. Mark Welch
Vanderbilt University
The hybrid origin of the puzzle sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus) and the
biological reality of diploid hybrid taxa in general

4:45 Wrap up

5:00 Dutch treat dinner


Thursday, September 18, 2003

Panel Discussion
Format: Each panel member will speak for 15 min, then we’ll break for
about 20 minutes, and then we’ll have a 1-hour discussion

8:30 Welcome

8:45 Dr. Mike Berger
Branch Chief of Private Lands & Habitat, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

9:00 Commissioner Joseph Fitzsimons
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

9:15 John Karges
Conservation Biologist, West Texas Program, The Nature Conservancy

9:30 Steve Manning
Project Manager for the Leon River Project, Central Texas Cattle
Association, and Private Land Owner, winner of this year’s national
award from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (the Chuck Yeager Award)

9:45 Bob McCan
President, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Private
Land Owner

10:00 Dr. Allan McGinty
Professor and Range Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension.

10:15 Dr. Ernest Smith
Former Dean of Law, University of Texas, Specialty in Oil/Gas
International Energy, Transactions, and Environmental Law, Private Land
Owner

10:30 Melinda Taylor
Senior Attorney and Program Manager of the Ecosystem Restoration
Program, Environmental Defense

10:45 Tom Taylor
Owner of Lost Canyon Resort, Private Land Owner

11:00 Break

11:30 Panel and Audience Discussion

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Species Review

5:00 Session ends



Friday, September 19, 2003

Species Review

9:00 Species review

Noon Lunch

5:00 Session ends


--- Registration Form ---

Texas Plant Conservation Conference
September 17 – 19, 2003
Registration Form

Please mail or fax this form with your payment to:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
Phone: 512/292-4200  FAX: 512/292-4627

Space is limited. Please register by August 29.

Name
________________________________________________________________________
Agency/Organization____________________________________________________________
Address
______________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State ___________ ZIP
_______________________
Phone _____________________________FAX
______________________________________
Phone 				 FAX
Email address
_________________________________________________________________

Registration Fees (lunches not included)

General Public  $45  Professionals $35
Volunteers  $25  Students $10

Optional box lunches $30

___ Vegetarian option

Registration fees:  $ ____________
Optional box lunches:  $ ____________
Total amount enclosed: $ ____________

___ Mastercard ___ Visa ___ Discover  ___ Amex

Card Number  ___________________________________________________________
Exp. Date  ______________________________________________________________
Name on credit card  ______________________________________________________
Signature _______________________________________________________________

___ I will attend the Species Review

Registrar must receive cancellation notice no later that 5 pm, September
12, 2003 to receive a refund, minus a $10 processing fee.

> Don't miss this opportunity to purchase your native wildflowers seeds
> and talk with the experts from Native American Seed and the Wildflower
> Center.
>
> Nature Nights
> The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has extended hours
> Every Thursday in August
> 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
> only $1 Admission,  Free for Center Members
> Take a stroll through the gardens, walk the nature trails.
> Visit Wild Ideas: The Store
> Dine at the Wildflower Café or bring a picnic dinner
> View the sunset from the Observation Tower
> A different topic of interest is featured each Thursday.
> Talks, guided walks or demonstrations are scheduled between 7 - 8pm.
>
> August 14  Planting Wildflowers - Native American Seed
>  Now is the time to prepare for your spring wildflowers - plant your
> wildflower seeds by early fall
>
> 6 - 8:30 pm -in the Visitors Gallery - Talk with native seed experts
> Jay Kane and Anne Peters.
> Along with expert advice and recommendations, Native American Seed
> will
>  offer an assortment of native wildflower seeds for purchase.
>
> 7:00 pm   -  Garden walk with Andrea-DeLong-Amaya - Using wildflowers
> in the landscape
>
> 7:35 pm   -  Planting wildflower seeds with Marcia Herman
> 	 demonstration and tips for bed preparation and seed
> planting techniques
>
> Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
> 4801 La Crosse Avenue - (Take Loop 1 South to La Crosse Ave. which is
> 3/4 mile south of Slaughter Lane)
> Austin, TX 78739
> 512-292-4200
> www.wildflower.org
>
>