News from the United States Geological Survey about a citizen science project (April to November 1, 2023) related to pollinator research:
“This is a pilot project encompassing 6 states: Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. We are asking people to mail in already deceased butterflies, moths, or skippers in efforts to begin a USGS Scientific Collection to further research related to the decline in insect populations. All specimens received will be made available to other scientists within the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct research. To be able to answer specific regional questions, it is critical to receive specimens from a variety of locations. We appreciate any help you can provide related to distribution as it will help the success of the pilot project.”
Find all the details in this USGS flyer: (hover over the image & click to expand it)
We wish all of you could have been with us on the field trip to Tejas Park on Saturday, June 10. The first part of the walk was through the woods with sightings of American germander, snapdragon vine, and black-eyed Susan. The river was on the left and we peeked down there. We pressed on and walked out to the open area.
Tejas Park field trip, June 10, 2023
WOW, what a sight! The whole field was blooming! Monarda, American basket-flower, black-eyed Susan, Indian blanket, prairie acacia. Then we came upon a devil’s claw (Proboscidea louisianica), another great sight. Then a dung beetle came by pushing a piece of dung 10 times bigger than itself… But the star of the day was the American basket-flower. It was so stunning to see so much of it in full bloom.
We wound up the walk with lots of water and Sue’s lavender brownies. It was a beautiful day and a great field trip. Hope you can come with us next time.
American basket-flowers, Centaurea americanaBlack-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirtaAmerican germander, Teucrium canadense
Photos by Nancy Pumphrey
Click the button to see photos from some of our past field trips.
The following information from the Nominating Committee was announced to in-person attendees at the chapter meeting held on June 8, 2023. Nominating Committee members are Randy Pensabene, Nancy Copperman, Nancy Pumphrey, Erin Buhl, and Penny Villanueva.
All elected NPSOT-Wilco Board positions for the term September 1, 2023-August 30, 2024, are open for nominations. June 18 is the last day to submit a nomination for the ballot.
Elected board positions may have more than 1 nominee on the ballot
You may nominate someone for a position even if we have a candidate listed
You MUST obtain someone’s permission before nominating them
The ballot and voting instructions will be emailed to chapter members only in late June
Results will be announced at our July 13 chapter meeting
The final slate will be published in late June when we email ballots and voting instructions to chapter members. Only chapter members are eligible to vote. (Ballots will be sent to the member email addresses on file with the Society’s state office. On the day we email the ballot to chapter members, we will publish a blog post alerting chapter members to check their email.)
Current Nominees/Slate for Elected Positions
Position
Outgoing Board
9/1/2023 to 8/31/2024
President
Beth Erwin (2nd term)
Nancy Copperman
Vice President
Cindy Chrisler (2nd term)
Gary Bowers
Secretary
Nancy Copperman (2nd term)
Anne Adams
Treasurer
Anne Adams
Mark Stoetzer
Director
Vicki Blachman (2nd term)
Tyson Bartlett
Director
Mark Stoetzer
Christie Gardner
Not Subject to Election:
Past President
Randy Pensabene
Beth Erwin
Appointed Board Positions (positions are appointed by the elected board)
Position
Outgoing Board
9/1/2023 to 8/31/2024
Education
** OPEN **
** OPEN **
Field Trips
Kathy Galloway
Kathy Galloway
Membership
Nancy Copperman
** OPEN **
Plant Rescues
Ashley Landry
Ashley Landry
Plant Sales
Randy Pensabene, Beth Erwin
Beth Erwin, Randy Pensabene
Programs
Susie Hickman
Susie Hickman
Projects
Nancy Pumphrey
Nancy Pumphrey
Social Media
Diana Wilson
Diana Wilson
Webmaster
Pat Donica
Pat Donica
Schedule Recap: June 1 – Nominations open announced in blog post June 8 – Nominations period announced at chapter meeting June 18 – Nominations close by June 26 – Ballot emailed to chapter members July 10 – Last day to vote July 13 – Election results announced at chapter meeting
