Blog – Page 129 – NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter

September 5, 2021May 5, 2023

From Randy: Thank you, NPSOT-Wilco Chapter

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— by Randy Pensabene

I want to express my gratitude to everyone for your support throughout my two years as your NPSOT-Williamson County chapter president. I had a strong board, a solid membership base, and a great NPSOT state office that helps all the chapters function more efficiently and cohesively.

Over these past two years, we implemented significant changes in our operations. We found new avenues to reach more people and increase our membership. Our board met many new “opportunities” with enthusiasm and innovation.

The NPSOT-Williamson County chapter is blessed with so many who generously contribute their time and talents. Our elected and appointed board members and our chapter members do so much, often behind the scenes, to ensure our chapter runs smoothly and remains vibrant.

I am enthusiastic about our chapter’s future with our new president Beth Erwin and the new board. I know the team will bring many exciting and fresh ideas to promoting native plant use and conservation.

Serving as your president has been challenging, interesting, a whole lot of fun, and very rewarding.

Thank you all, you’re the best!
Randy Pensabene
Past-President, NPSOT-Williamson County

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August 20, 2021May 5, 2023

Online Chapter Meeting September 9: The NEST Empowerment Center’s Butterfly Garden with Bebe Johnson

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Join NPSOT-Wilco online on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 7:00 pm, when Bebe Johnson will present The NEST Empowerment Center’s Butterfly Garden. You must register in advance to attend. Register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvd-uoqzsoEtQv39dZMl_g5ZuVNRSRHMmM.

The NEST Empowerment Center is part of The Georgetown Project, a local nonprofit providing services that support their mission: “A community where no child is hungry, hurt, alone, or rejected, and where all children and youth believe they are loved, respected and treated with dignity.” The NEST Empowerment Center helps GISD high school students who are homeless, at-risk, or living in transition.

At this month’s meeting, The Georgetown Project’s Bebe Johnson will share information about their collaboration with NPSOT-Williamson County to create The NEST Chrysalis Dreamscape, located at The NEST Empowerment Center as part of its SPARKS patio. The collaboration began in 2019. (Some background from our chapter can be found here.)

Bebe has been The NEST Empowerment Coordinator since 2014. Previously, she worked at WilCo Juvenile Services as the Coordinator of a county-based Truancy Diversion program serving 9 school districts. Prior to that position she worked for LifeSteps, Williamson Council On Drugs, as a Prevention Director, Coalition Director and Interim Executive Director.

Bebe is a native of Eastern Williamson County and lives on the small ranch where she grew up. She is the proud owner of 2 mules, cows, chickens and dogs.

Gregg's mistflower, Conoclinium greggii — Gregg’s mistflower, Conoclinium greggii

At every meeting, we give away a book about native plants or the meeting topic to one randomly chosen meeting attendee!

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. We hope you attend! Meetings may be in person, virtual, or both, so be sure to check details in the meeting announcement. Meetings are announced on our website, our calendar and Facebook.

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July 25, 2021May 5, 2023

Online Chapter Meeting August 12, Edible Wild Plants of Central Texas: Summer, with Eric Knight

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Don’t miss NPSOT-Wilco’s VIRTUAL chapter meeting on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 7:00 pm, when Eric Knight will present Edible Wild Plants of Central Texas: Summer. You must register in advance to attend. Register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMod-iqpzsuGtWujRcLvH_EJnKFyimHT73h.

Please note, this presentation will not be recorded for YouTube.

Eric Knight is a native Austinite and co-author of Foraging Texas: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants in Texas. He and his wife (and co-author), Stacy Coplin, are also co-founders of Local Leaf which locally wild-harvests yaupon to make a local, sustainable, yaupon matcha powder sold at all Austin-area Whole Foods locations and on the Local Leaf website. Eric also leads edible plant walks through Local Leaf as well as through the LBJ Wildflower Center and Earth Native Wilderness School. He is a licensed environmental engineer by day with a passion for travel, botany, rare plants, and of course, wild edible plants.

For the August 12 chapter meeting, Eric will discuss common native and non-native wild edible plants found during Central Texas summers.

image of person — Foraging. Photo by Sam Moser.

At every meeting, we give away a book about native plants or the meeting topic to one randomly chosen meeting attendee!

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