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On November 14, learn about the LBJWC Seed Bank-NOTE OUR LOCATION

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Join us for NPSOT-Wilco’s next chapter meeting on Thursday, November 14, 7pm, when our guest speaker, Minnette Marr, will tell us about the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Seed Bank.   Minnette is the LBJWC Conservation Program Manager, responsible for curating the seed bank and more.  See this link to the LBJWC staff directory.

IMPORTANT:  In November we meet at Georgetown Parks & Recreation Administration Offices, 1101 N College St, Georgetown, TX 78626 ( map),  NOT at the Georgetown Public Library.

Clematis-drummondii - Old-Mans-Beard
Seedpods, Old Man’s Beard, Clematis drummondii. Photo by Bob Kamper.

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public.

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Proposed Chapter Bylaw Change; Updated Board Duties Document

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— by Randy Pensabene

PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE

The Past President’s role on the NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter Board is a key position.  Our chapter bylaws currently and correctly name this position as a chapter officer but the bylaws do not describe its key duties.

NPSOT-Wilco’s current board of directors recommends amending one article in our bylaws with the update described below.  Our bylaws call for 30 days notice to chapter members before voting on an amendment so the proposed update will be voted upon at our December 12, 2019 chapter meeting.  We will also announce the proposed update at the chapter meeting on November 14.

The specific changes between the current bylaw and the proposed revision are noted in bold green.   The chapter’s current bylaws can be found on the chapter website under About Us->Chapter Documents->NPSOT-Wilco Bylaws.

Article IV.  Officers and Board,  Section 5. Duties of Officers
Proposed Revision:  Insert a new item E, and renumber the current item, “Directors”, from E to F.

E.  Past President

1) Provides continuity to the board and provides historical knowledge regarding board decisions made during their presidency.
2) Shall be the Chairman of the Nominating Committee and recruits the members for the committee.
3) Is authorized to sign checks presented to them by the Treasurer.

F.  Directors

CHAPTER BOARD MEMBER DUTIES

Would you like to know more about the duties of the chapter board?  Have you thought about volunteering for a board position but weren’t sure what it entails?

You can find information about positions on the board anytime under the website menu item About Us->Chapter Documents where you’ll see Board Member Duties-Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. This document is maintained by the chapter’s board and was recently updated to reflect current responsibilities.  Take a look!

  • Thanks,
  • Randy

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Program Summary for Oct 10, “Unnatural Texas”

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Unnatural Texas

— by Nancy Pumphrey
Our program on October 10, 2019 was an engaging talk by Drs. Robin Doughty and Matt Warnock Turner, co-authors of the book Unnatural Texas? The Invasive Species Dilemma. They spoke of starlings, sparrows and their introduction into the United States. They then went on to pigs, feral felines and then to plants.  Of interest was the proliferation of water hyacinths, and how they are clogging up waterways around the world. An interesting unintended consequence is that they actually clean waterways by filtering heavy metals and contaminants when used with control.

We know about the Chinese tallow. But new to me is that the USDA actually encouraged plantings in the ‘60’s as an agricultural crop for oils, fuel and wax products like candles.

Salt cedars were introduced in Galveston to control erosion and make windbreaks, now crowding out salt marshes.

The new threat is the emerald ash borer which was noted in Michigan in 2000 and is now spreading across the US.

More info about Robin’s and Matt’s book can found be at Texas A&M University Press or on Amazon.  (Shopping at Amazon Smile? Designate the Native Plant Society of Texas as your nonprofit charitable organization of choice!)

You can see the October 10, 2019 business presentation slides here.

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