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Native Plant Society of Texas

Pines and Prairies Chapter

Chapter Board Meeting

May 4, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

PROPOSED AGENDA for Thursday, May 4, 7:00pm via ZOOM

Call to order

Roll call for a quorum

Minutes of the March 2, 2023, Board meeting–Carolyn Worsham.  Vote to accept.

Report of the President–Gail McConnell
– The Woodlands Earth Day Outreach Event, May 13–Patti Thompson; Vote to approve
– President’s response in opposition to Proposed By-Laws for the Native Plant Society of Texas; Vote to Approve
– President’s letter in opposition to the pipeline planned for Lake Creek Preserve (attached); Vote to Approve

Report of the Treasurer–April Smith
– Spring Plant Sale results (reconciliation attached, approved by Martin) — Amy Birdwell
– Funds Balances
– Invoices presented by New World Botanical; Vote to approve (Gail and Martin to abstain)
– Cost of wire transfer and stop payment; Vote to approve (Gail and Martin to abstain)
– Reimbursement policy to present Reimbursement Request together with a copy of invoice(s) within 90 days; reimbursement will be made via bank check mailed and received in about 10 working days; Vote to approve
– Reminder, expenditure of budgeted amounts over $100 must be approved by the Board; expenditure of unbudgeted amounts must be pre-approved by the Board  

Report of VP-Programs–Martin Simonton
 – Work and Learn Program – Seed collecting dates, times, places to meet 
– Field Trips dates, times, places to visit — Doremus in Summer; Katy Prairie Preserve in Fall?

Report of NLCP committee–Kathie Herrick/Mike McGee
– Level 1 Class set for May 6 at Mercer, number enrolled

Report of Monthly Chapter meetings–Mike
– Discussion on whether to continue monthly meetings; Vote
– If monthly meetings continue, what format?  In-person, Hybrid, or Zoom?  Vote 
– If hybrid, should the Chapter purchase an owl?  Vote

Unfinished Business
– Vote on Job Descriptions for Elected Positions–defer to July Meeting

Planned New Business
– Fall Plant Sale Location, Date, and Time (shown in the 2023 Annual Calendar for October 6-7, at New World Botanical)  Options include:   
a.  Lone Star Native Nursery/New World Botanical (Martin to state conditions)
b.  The Woodlands Landscaping Solutions (attended by 1,000 persons; about 200 at our Spring plant sale),    
c.  Other locations in the County co-sponsored by a retail nursery interested in promoting natives like our first sale at Nature’s Way Resources–Kingwood, Huntsville   
d.  No plant sale 
Vote  (Gail, Martin, Abbie to abstain) 

– Plant supplier(s) 
Options include:   
a.  New World Botanical (Martin to state conditions),    
b.  Doremus, Treesearch Farms and other suppliers used by Living Wild (Abbie has offered to let us piggyback delivery costs)   
c.  Member donated  
Vote   (Gail, Martin, Abbie to abstain)

– Plant purchase advance?  Amount?  
Vote   (Gail, Martin, Abbie to abstain)

Unplanned New Business

Next Board Meeting, Thursday, July 6, 7pm
Adjournment

Please REGISTER for the Board Meetinghttps://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kfu6hqzkjGNR8bosWZc5ORUEWG90BfNCS

Pines and Prairies Chapter

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason