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[from Michael Eason]
Program: Presentation by Joseyln Fenstermacher discussing her work in the Dead Horse Mountains of eastern Big Bend National Park
Date/Tme: Saturday, February 12th; 10am to noon
Physical Location: Alpine Library
In-person limit: 10 people
Virtual Location: Zoom meeting – open to all; link will be sent to all registrants requesting Zoom participation
RSVP to big-bend-chapter@npsot.org
A note about your RSVP
In-person attendance: If you wish to see this presentation in person, please indicate this in your RSVP. Keep in mind, the limit is 10.
Virtual attendance: If, however, you wish to participate virtually, please RSVP as you normally would, but indicate you wish to view via Zoom, and we will send an email out with the link to the meeting later this week.
Program Description – The Dead Horse Mountains: Botany in the Boonies
The Dead Horse Mountains had long been one of the least explored areas in Texas due to their remote and inaccessible nature. Building on collection records spanning 100 years, the Master’s degree study collectively documented the area’s vascular flora through a major new collection of vouchered specimens and a survey of existing herbarium specimens. The study took place between August 2003 and September 2006 and resulted in several discoveries, clarifications, and one new species. Brief mention may be made of dog cholla, if asked, but floristic trends and biogeographic connections will be discussed. All while sharing many pictures of pretty plants and landscapes.
About the Presenter, Joseyln Fenstermacher
As an undergraduate, Joselyn studied behavioral ecology and conservation biology, highlighted by hands-on, research-based semester courses in Ecuador and Tanzania studying the local flora, fauna, and conservation attitudes. She has since worked all over the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) as a field biologist, and with all manner of critters including fish, brown bears, desert tortoises, and endangered birds.
In 2007 she began what became several seasons of work supporting the scientific research at two U.S. science bases (McMurdo and South Pole). More recently she has melded many of her skills into a career as a guide and zodiac driver on expedition voyages around the world including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula, around the Indian Ocean, Australia, and around the UK and Scandinavia.
When back in the U.S. Joselyn spends most of her time in the Big Bend region of far western Texas where long ago she fell in love with the Chihuahuan Desert. She has worked seasonally for the National Park Service as a bio-technician and interpretive Park Ranger, and completed her Master of Science botanical research there on Big Bend flora in 2007. Since then, she has continued investigating a small group of relatively unknown cacti, becoming a recognized regional expert and ultimately having a plant species named after her.
Joselyn is passionate about learning more about the world around her, and sharing that passion with others- hoping to inspire a broader appreciation for, and understanding of, the fascinating world we live in.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: billarmstrong