TPWD Webinar, Dec 20, (endangered) Texas Trailing Phlox

Webinar news from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:

  • Conservation genetics and taxonomic distinctiveness of a Texas-endemic wildflower
  • On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • with Christine Edwards
    Stephen and Camilla Brauer Conservation Geneticist
    Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, Missouri Botanical Garden

Webinar description: In this presentation, I will give an overview of conservation genetics in general and the conservation genetics program at the Missouri Botanical Garden. I will then provide an overview of a study that focused on understanding patterns of genetic diversity and structure and the taxonomic distinctiveness of a federally endangered Texas-endemic plant, Texas Trailing Phlox. (Emphasis added by NPSOT-Wilco.) I will conclude with a discussion of how the results can be applied to facilitate conservation efforts for Texas Trailing Phlox.

Bio: Dr. Edwards received a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado, a PhD in Botany from the University of Florida, and completed a Postdoc in Botany at the University of Wyoming. She has led the Conservation Genetics program at the Missouri Botanical Garden for the last 10 years. Her research focuses on using genetic tools to understand the evolutionary and ecological causes and consequences of rarity in threatened species.

Register on the TPWD website at this registration link.

Find more info here about TPWD’s Wildlife Diversity Webinar Series.

[This is not a NPSOT event.]

[Post updated 12/12, 7:16am, new link for registration.]

Field Trip: January 1, Tree Walk at Old Settlers Park

— by Gary Bowers

What: Start the new year with a tree walk in the park! Led by Gary Bowers.
Where: Old Settlers Park, 3017–3099 Whitlow Way, Round Rock
When: 10:00am-Noon on January 1, 2024
Our field trip is free and open to the public.

View on Apple Maps or Google Maps

We’ll meet in the parking area at the Virgil Rabb Pavilion off of Whitlow Way, in Old Settlers Park. From there we will walk around the pavilion to the nature trail. The walk will be around 2 miles and take 2 hours. We will focus on tree identification during dormancy, discuss different areas of the park (riparian, meadow), and overall enjoy being outside on the first day of the year.

map
Meeting point and parking. Rabb Pavilion, Old Settlers Park, Round Rock, TX.

Nov 9’s Guest Presentation Available, “Rare Plants of Williamson County” with Bill Carr

Although Bill Carr’s presentation at our last chapter meeting on November 9, 2023 was not recorded for YouTube, with Bill’s permission we are able to share a copy of his slides with you.

Click this link to access our Dropbox with Bill’s Update on the Flora and Rare Plants of Williamson County.

image of Scarlet Clematis bloom
Scarlet Clematis/Scarlet Leatherflower, Clematis texensis. Photo by Gary Bowers. Global Rank G3G4.