2011
Owner of Where Wild Things Grow Nursery in Leon Springs
Dave will share his knowledge acquired over many years of gardening and designing gardens. By paying attention to plants preferred environments and growth, Dave has been able to produce many sustainable gardens that come back year after year. He will discuss plant placement, talk about soil, soil and more soil, and teach us when and how much to cut back in order for our plantings to have long, healthy lives.
Dave gave a similar talk last Spring at the San Antonio plant sale that the participants were excited about. Dave talked about planting from scratch and the experience he has learned from 9 years of planting Natives, plus tricks on how to have a successful garden in the Hill Country. It takes a little work and dedication. Cutting back is a big part of gardening, twice a year Feb and July, yes July, is important. Watering is obviously very important, too. Dave is planning on having a question and answer session, which has proven to be fun and interactive. Dave says “I really enjoy planting gardens, I have put a lot of effort into deer proof gardens and lots of color and my classic line is ‘if you plant the right plants in Texas, you will have a lovely garden, if you plant the wrong plants you won’t’. I will be emphasizing the importance of soil!!! when and how to cut back.”
Topic: Planning for a Sustainable Garden – plant selection, placement and cutting back
Professor of Physiological Plant Ecology
Dr. Van Auken is a professor of Biology and Ecology at The University of Texas at San Antonio and has been there for 35 years. He received his B.S. degree in Biology from High Point College and then went west with his family to the University of Utah. He received his M.S. in Zoology at the University of Utah and continued in school there where he received his Ph.D. degree in Physiological Plant Ecology. He studied growth rates of Salt Lake Phytoplankton. Upon graduation he came to Texas as an Assistant Professor at Texas State University. From there he moved to Southwest Research in San Antonio and stayed there for five years. An opening for a plant ecologist came available at the fledging UTSA for which he applied and was hired. He has worked with undergraduates, M.S. and Ph.D. students. He has published over one hundred papers in books and various journals including Ecology, Plant Ecology, Oecologia, the American Journal of Botany, the Canadian Journal of Microbiology, the Texas Journal of Science, the Southwestern Naturalist and others.
Dr. Van Auken’s research interests are physiological plant ecology, especially gas exchange phenomena. They also include species interactions, especially plant plant interactions. He has a broad background including training in physiology, anatomy, ecology, and conservation biology. This background includes studies with a diverse array of organisms. He has had a number of research grants and contracts in many areas of biology and in many parts of the USA. This broadness of training has been an asset in the development of his biological thought, and has been essential for his work. He is currently studying species interactions in temperate woodlands and grasslands, including both common and very rare species. He is studying these species to understand interference or competition and its role in determining species distributions. In addition, he is interested in the role of disturbances on community development and succession. These studies are contemplated to improve the understanding of species interactions, and to make him a better teacher and researcher.
Topic: Distribution and potential causes of the distribution of Verbesina virginica (Asteraceae, Frost Weed) in Central Texas
As a retired cardio-vascular surgeon turned Texas Master Naturalist, Dr. Ridlon (Kip) Kiphart found his passion for monarch butterflies through a rather indirect route. His son, working for a native plant nursery in Texas in the early 1990’s, introduced several plants to Kip’s front yard in Dallas, and not only did Kip get hooked on the native foliage, but he also admired the butterflies that came to nectar. Captivated, he quickly set out to learn the differences among monarchs, viceroys and queens, and taking pictures. Following training as a Texas Master naturalist in 1998, he gradually immersed himself in butterfly biology and ecology, and butterfly gardening.
Through his volunteer work at Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, Kip was introduced to the Monarch Larva Monitoring Program in 2002 by Monarch Larva Monitoring Project volunteer Mary Kennedy. After monitoring eggs and larvae that year, he officially became an MLMP Trainer at a workshop conducted at Bamberger Ranch in Texas. He has subsequently conducted dozens of other workshops for volunteers from CNC and Master Naturalists throughout Texas, including the popular semi-annual MLMP@CNC Back Porch Review and the TMN annual meeting. Kip is a presenter at the Texas Monarch Monitoring Project semi-annual workshop. Many of the dots on the Texas MLMP map are the direct result of Kip’s powers of persuasion and enthusiasm.
In 2008 he received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Participation for volunteering 5000 hours for the TMN program. Kip has also continued to monitor monarchs every year since 2002, both at home in suburban Bergheim and at the Cibolo Nature Center. Finally, he is involved in a variety of other Wildlife Field Research projects, both as a participant and official photographer.
Topic: Monarchs Ask: Where Is My Milkweed?
In 2010, the monarch was added to the World Wildlife Fund’s Ten Most Threatened Species List due to loss of habitat in Mexico, the USA and Canada. Learn about the amazing monarch butterfly and how you can help it by creating a Monarch Waystation, a butterfly garden with milkweed, the monarch’s host plant. Become a participant in “Bring Back The Monarchs” through Boerne NPSOT’s “M4M: Milkweed For Monarchs”.
Karen Clary is a resource specialist with the Wildlife Habitat Assessment Branch, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin. Her primary role is to review and comment on potential natural resource impacts for all kinds of infrastructure development projects in about 1/6 of the counties of Texas. She obtained a Ph.D. in Plant Systematics on the Phylogeny, Biogeography and Morphological Evolution of the Genus Yucca from the University of Texas in 1997. On the side, Karen teaches botany classes at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and has been on board as an organizing committee member for the Texas Plant Conservation Conference for the past 10 years.
Topic: Yuccas of Texas
A little known fact is that Texas is home to more species of Yucca plants than any other state in the U.S. The talk will focus on how to tell yuccas apart, their unique pollination by the Yucca Moth, and historic and prehistoric ethno-botanical uses.
Also: Wind Energy Development in Texas
After the Yucca talk, Dr. Clary will also be on hand to answer questions you might have on the environmental impacts of Wind Energy Development in Texas.
Mark Duff is a Staff Forester with the Texas Forest Service in Kerrville. Since 1991, he has been implementing the Oak Wilt Suppression Project, the Stewardship Incentive Program, and served urban and rural forestry needs throughout a seven-county region in the Hill country of central Texas. Mark is a Certified Forester and Board Certified Master Arborist and has worked as a consultant in public and private forestry-related sectors. Mark’s career has taken him from Paraguay to Alaska (and most places in between). He grew up in Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Mark has an Associate in Science in Forest Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University, and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas.
Topic: Oak Wilt Identification and Management program with a Q&A follow up
George Diggs has been a faculty member in the Biology Department of Austin College, Sherman, Texas, since 1981 and is a Research Associate at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. His research interests include the plants of Texas, the taxonomy of the Ericaceae (Blueberry Family), and the connection between evolution and human health. In his research he has traveled to all seven continents. He is the lead author on two books, the Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) and Volume 1 of the Illustrated Flora of East Texas (2006), and has published numerous articles in scientific journals. He is currently co-authoring a book on the Ferns and Lycophytes of Texas and a book on the human health implications of evolution. He is active in Austin College’s Center for Environmental Studies.
Topic: Texas Ferns—Surprising Diversity
Texas has more species of native ferns and similar plants than any other state in the continental U.S. The wettest part of the state, East Texas has numerous ferns, but the Hill Country also has many species and the far western part of the state, the dry Trans-Pecos, has even more—in fact, it has the most of any part of Texas. Some species are very rare, occurring in only one Texas county and nowhere else in the entire U.S. Others thrive in the most extreme conditions—in crevices on huge exposed granite outcrops, underwater on the bottoms of ponds or lakes, or inside the mouths of caves. One species is a tiny floating aquatic often less than half an inch long while another has leaves up to 13 feet in length. We will explore some of the rare and unusual species and the reasons why Texas is number one in species richness.
Lisa Lennon has a Master’s in horticulture from Tarleton State University, and over 16 years experience working in the green industry. She has previously worked as landscape horticulturist (commercial & residential), and Texas Cooperative Extension Agent (Urban Integrated Pest Management). Lisa recently completed a Master’s in Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona in May 2011. She continues to write her monthly column, “Plant Talk”, for the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association’s “Green” magazine.
Topic: Pocket Pollination: Landscape Requirements For Native Bees
Native bees and pollination habitats are declining at alarming rates in North America, and have become more widespread because of development and related built landscapes deficient of pollinator-specific requirements. This lack of native habitat has caused a serious threat to bees that provide pollination services in urban as well as rural areas. Pollination serviced by bees is vital — not only because of the economic value of food production and related agribusiness, but equally as important in keeping native plant communities and associated ecosystems healthy and functioning. Pocket (providing habitat in small spaces) pollination suggests that bees and the urban environment can benefit from even small areas of native vegetation.
Wildlife Biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Rufus Stephens serves as the wildlife biologist for Comal and Kendall counties for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Boerne, Texas. Stephens earned a baccalaureate degree in wildlife ecology from Texas A & M University. He began his career in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas, before moving to San Antonio to work for Texas Parks and Wildlife, as an urban biologist. He helped found the Texas Master Naturalist volunteer program, an education program for volunteers who work on nature related projects. In his current position, Stephens lends his expertise in helping landowners manage for a variety of wildlife.
Topic: The Triple K Ranch, located west of Boerne, which was donated to the State of Texas by the Kronkosky family.
Plant Ecologist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Amie Treuer-Kuehn earned a masters degree in Biology with a focus on Plant Ecology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to her career at TPWD, she taught an undergraduate Plant Science course and worked as a field research assistant in Alaska and Texas. At the meeting, Amie will discuss mapping methodology, unique and interesting plant communities and threats to those communities.
This November 2010 article in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine describes her work which is “part of a five-year survey whose ambitious goal is to map the vegetation systems of Texas with unprecedented accuracy”. Here is a December 2009 article in the Austin Statesman also describing her work collecting data for the geo-database.
Topic: Vegetation Mapping in the State of Texas: Floristic Trials and Treasures
2010
January 5
Integrated Pest Management Program Specialist with Texas AgriLife Extension in Bexar County
Topic: Pollinators in our landscapes.
You might be surprised to learn that there are many other important pollinators in our area other than honey bees. There are several different species of bees along with butterflies, beetles, wasps, and even flies that contribute to the beauty of our yards and landscape. This topic will cover the basic pollinators in our gardens and who you should appreciate for their benefits. We will also cover how to encourage pollinators, to help spread the color!
February 2
City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Natural Areas
Cheryl Hamilton, a retired educator, is an Alamo Area Master Naturalist, a member of the San Antonio chapter of NPSOT and a team leader for the San Antonio Invaders satellite of the Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council. Jayne Neal and Wendy Leonard are biologists with the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Natural Areas. Jayne has an MS in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University. Wendy Leonard is finishing up an MS in Plant Ecology at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Topic: Invasive Plants and the San Antonio Invaders
Invasive species cost billions of dollars to monitor and control, not to mention the damage they cause native ecosystems. A single fruiting nandina can not only sucker but can also produce tens of seeds giving birth to a virtual nandina forest. Enter the San Antonio Invaders, an invasive plant eradication group that has documented, mapped, and removed over 5,000 invasive plants (many of them nandinas) during the course of a year on City of San Antonio Natural Areas. Cheryl has recruited almost 30 volunteers who have contributed nearly 300 volunteer hours. Cheryl, Wendy and Jayne will introduce you to the Natural Areas, discuss why invasive plants are such a scourge, and tell you how the San Antonio Invaders work.
March 2
Texas Forest Service
Jan has been an Urban Wildland Interface Specialist, focusing on Neighborhood and Community Planning, with the Texas Forest Service since 2001. She has extensive training with the National Firewise Program and the NWCG (National Wildfire Coordination Group) incident management system. She delivers Firewise and Wildfire Preparedness Programs, assists with RX fires, and serves as an Information Officer. She came to the Texas Forest Service from the City of Austin where she was the City Tree Planting Coordinator.
Topic: Native plant use in fire prevention
April 6
The Nature Conservancy
Bill Carr received a B.S. in Botany from The Ohio State University in December 1978 and hitch-hiked to Texas in January 1979 because the flora of Texas seemed more interesting than that of Ohio. I worked with the Texas Natural Heritage Program (part of the network that provides NatureServe with much of its information about rare species) from 1988 to 1995 and with The Nature Conservancy of Texas since 1996.
Topic: Special native plants in riparian habitats.
Bill will talk about rare plants that we might see on Delmar Cain’s place during the walk on April 16. Or as Bill suggests, “maybe we should call it ‘some interesting plants of the eastern Edwards Plateau,’ or something to that effect.” Bill will be sure to discuss the “Boerne Bean” and other recent discoveries.
May 4
Co-author of “Wild Orchids of Texas”
Joe Liggio will talk about the native orchids of the local Texas Hill Country. Mr. Liggio is an environmental coordinator and botanist for the Texs Department of Transportation of Houston. He is also a freelance writer and nature photographer whose articles and photographs have appeared in books, magazines, and calendars.
Topic: Native Orchids
June 1
Topic: Mid-year social
July/August
September 7
Owner of Where Wild Things Grow Nursery in Leon Springs
Dave will share his knowledge acquired over many years of gardening and designing gardens. By paying attention to plants preferred environments and growth, Dave has been able to produce many sustainable gardens that come back year after year. He will discuss plant placement, talk about soil, soil and more soil, and teach us when and how much to cut back in order for our plantings to have long, healthy lives.
Topic: Planning for a Sustainable Garden – plant selection, placement and cutting back
October 5
Topic: Chapter’s 10th Anniversary
November 2
Topic: Design Tips
Janis will be discussing:
• The three elements of garden design: form, texture, and color.
• The four strategies for color scheme in the garden.
• The importance of planning, curb appeal, foundation planting, accent plants, and outdoor living.
December 7
