Tag: conservation

Posted on

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.]

Posted on

Program Summary: March 14’s Travis County Floodplain Reforestation Program:  A Natural Solution to Contemporary Problems

** ARCHIVED POST – LINKS AND IMAGES MAY NOT WORK**

— by Gary Bowers

Collin McMichael, Education Coordinator of TreeFolks,   presented our program entitled  Travis County Floodplain Reforestation Program:  A Natural Solution to Contemporary Problems.   Quite a mouthful and quite an amazing program.   In case you are not familiar with TreeFolks you can find out more at www.treefolks.org.

image of group at meeting

The mission statement of the organization is:

Our mission is to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees.

Aha!   It says “Central  Texans.”  Maybe it’s not limited to Travis County.  In fact, there was some discussion about expanding into Williamson County.  This group has been dedicated to urban forestry since 1989 and has helped reforest the Lost Pines area following the 2011 Bastrop County Complex Fire, and in Blanco County following the terrible flooding in 2015.   Collin’s program instilled hope in those of us concerned about insidious carbon in our environment.   See his presentation (available below) for a full understanding of the fabulous work that Tree Folks is doing.

Collin’s full presentation can be found here in PDF format.

You can see the March 14, 2019 business presentation slides here.

** ARCHIVED POST – LINKS AND IMAGES MAY NOT WORK**

Posted on

WilCo Commissioners Vote No!

** ARCHIVED POST – LINKS AND IMAGES MAY NOT WORK**

image of wildflower meadow
Berry Springs Park & Preserve

Preservation prevailed on Tuesday, December 18, when Williamson County commissioners voted no on the City of Georgetown’s proposed routing of a wastewater pipeline through Berry Springs Park and Preserve. The county commissioners vote was unanimous, 5-0.

Public comment by many people in multiple ways called attention to the importance of  preserving this unique site and surely resonated with the commissioners.  THANK YOU!

NPSOT-Wilco members who spoke at the Dec 18 meeting, at earlier public meetings, or through letters published in area newspapers and social media include Billye Adams, Belinda Buescher, Gary Bowers, Martin Byhower, Beth Erwin, Kathy Galloway, Bob Kamper, Kathy McCormack, Charles Newsom and Sue Wiseman.  (If I missed anyone, please let me know.)  Chapter members also wrote letters to the commissioners.

Find out more in these earlier blog posts:

  • Dec 4 2018-Berry Creek Pipeline December Public Meetings
  • Nov 5 2018-Let’s Preserve Berry Springs Park and Preserve
  • Oct 1 2018-Berry Springs Park Sewer Line Project

** ARCHIVED POST – LINKS AND IMAGES MAY NOT WORK**