Category: Chapter Meetings

Chapter Meetings

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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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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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Program Summary: Sep 12, Getting Started with Texas Native Plants Panel

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— by Randy Pensabene

On Sept 12th, we held a discussion panel on “Getting Started with Texas Native Plants”. Members and guests were treated to a panel of local NPSOT members who have experience working with and teaching others about native plants.

A few days before the meeting, a survey was sent to solicit questions. These questions were included in a step-by-step ‘how-to’ overview presentation. Additional questions were taken during the meeting.

The presentation covered:

  • how to plan a landscape
  • prepare your bed
  • select and install native plants
  • plant establishment and maintenance

The panel discussion also covered three different methods of killing lawn grass to create a bed area for planting. Our handout gave everyone specific information on the processes presented and included recommended websites and books to find more information.

So, whether you were new to the area and wanted to know what to plant, were looking for ideas on different native plants to work with, or had a burning question regarding native plants, or just wanted to know more about the Texas Native Plant Society, your needs were addressed.

You can see the August 12, 2019 business presentation slides here.

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