Operation NICE!™
Natives Instead of Common Exotics
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NEWSLETTEr
SEPTEMBER 2014
Volume 14 Number 7
Monthly Meeting Tuesday September 2, 2014
Cibolo Nature Center at 140 City Park Road, Boerne TX
Craig Hensley will give a talk about Confusing Composites: A Wildflower Primer. Look in any field guide or the flora of any state; and among the most prominent members are those of the Asteraceae. Like winter sparrows and native grasses, composites can give even the most observant of us fits. This presentation will attempt to take a diverse and confusing group of wildflowers and make them a bit more manageable – and enjoyable to get to know. Craig is the Park Interpreter/Naturalist at Guadalupe River State Park. He has an undergraduate degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management and a Master of Science degree in Zoology. He has been an educator about the natural world for nearly thirty years. Come at 6:30 to socialize; meeting starts at 7:00!
President’s Message
Greetings everyone and welcome back!
I hope everyone had a relaxing, fun-filled summer despite the Texas temperatures! I know we all have memories of summer that were much worse in the way of rain and heat, but once August rolls around, I am just about done! Hang in there; I am sure our 4 days of Fall are just around the corner!
We have had a busy summer despite the heat. From hosting the State board meeting to helping out at the Cibolo Nature Center, nary a day went by where the word bored entered into my mind!
As everyone’s knows, we usually forgo the workdays during July and August, but with Chapter leaders coming from around the State, there was work to be done in the Demonstration Gardens! We had a sizable turn-out for the semi-annual yanking of the CNC Johnson grass; lots of weeding and pruning and removal of trash and the standing dead (anyone else watch The Walking Dead?) and such. We had enjoyed appropriately timed rains in May and June, but that desiccating wind did a number on what had been a truly breathtaking color display as July arrived. Regardless, the gardens looked much improved in time for our guests’ arrival. In the upcoming weeks, you should also see identification signs popping up in both the main Demonstration Garden as well as Bill’s Teaching Garden in the central courtyard at the CNC. The Cibolo Nature Center also had a drip system installed throughout much of the main garden – HURRAY! Once the particulars are ironed out, this will greatly decrease the fear of those summer months throttling what everyone works so hard to maintain. The beds still need weeding, tending and planting and some plants will still need a little extra TLC to get established and thrive, but this should help alleviate some of the terror of summer.
As to the State Board meeting, it was close to standing room only. We had anticipated 30-35, but by the time everyone had arrived, all chairs were taken and I was lining chairs up along the walls! Everyone was very appreciative of our hospitality. The breakfast crew did a great job of setting up and making everything look so inviting, and the attendees could not believe we had such a wonderful facility for our meetings and activities! A big thank you to Kathy Ward and John Walker for leading the lunchtime guided tours! And to Veronica Hawk, Suzanne Young, Kelly Dunn, Jane McAuliffe, and Rheda Boardman for their work in setting up that morning!
On July 30th, Anne Adams and Kathy Ward organized and lead a seed ball activity for the CNC camp kids at the Herff Farm. Lots of kids, lots of seed balls, and lots of fun! A big thank you to Kathy, Anne, Scott and Xanthis Barthel, and Rheda Boardman for wrangling and engaging all those kiddos. The wind was a bit blustery, but the temperatures were mild under the shade of the trees out there!
Now for upcoming events – Fall is always insane and this year is no exception! The most important (in my opinion, at least) is the NPSOT Fall Symposium. This year it will be in Texarkana, on October 16 – 19. Yes, it is a long way to travel, but talk about a change of scenery! And, our very own Delmar Cain will FINALLY be recognized for his commitment and hard work for the Native Grown column!
Next up, November 5-8, the Texas Native Plant Conference will be held at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildfower Center in Austin. More details below under Regional Stuff.
We now have an unstoppable force planning field trips for the Chapter! Rheda Boardman has jumped on the task of seeking out interesting places for Chapter members to get away from it all and enjoy a morning, afternoon, or all day learning about unique places and native plants across the region. More details on the upcoming trip below. This woman has plans!
Our dearest Delmar is currently on sabbatical and enjoying lots of leisure time photographing moths and helping Ann around the house ;-) During his well-deserved time away, members Becky Eterno and Christine Westerman have done a wonderful job of contributing content to keep the column up and running. Les Barnes is writing a piece for September, but we are continuing to look for contributors. Kit, at the Boerne Star, has allowed us to step it back to once a month. So, anyone looking to channel their creativity and love for native plants, please just let me know! October’s Plant of the Month is gayfeather and you are welcome to write a piece on this blazing beauty, about anything native plant-related that strikes your fancy!
And lastly, as I count down to the end of my days as President, the Nominating Committee has been hard at work gently persuading our nominees for the upcoming year, who are:
- President-elect, Daneshu Clarke will assume her role as President.
- The one and only, Kathy Ward is our nominee for President-elect.
- Rheda Boardman will remain as our meticulous Treasurer for the second half of her term.
- Bringing some new blood into the ranks, Don Fraser has accepted the nomination as VP – Programs.
- Kelly Dunn has accepted the nomination for Secretary.
Please take a few moments at our upcoming meeting to say hello and get to know the nominees a bit. Great bunch of folks!
A huge thank you to all the nominees and a great job to the Nominating Committee, Wilt Shaw, Scott Barthel, Delmar Cain, and Jane McAuliffe!
Can’t wait to see everyone!
Emily
Chapter Activities
Boerne Chapter Field Trip to ABK State Natural Area
June 21, 2014
On Saturday, June 21, a dozen or so folks joined in on the NPSOT plant walk at the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky (ABK) State Natural Area, located about seven miles west of Boerne on Hwy. 46.
Although the main purpose of the field trip was to allow members to experience this Hill Country gem, we also spent some time identifying and photographing plants along a loop trail near the spring-fed creek below Bessie’s Pond.
Among the interesting plants in flower, we saw Texas greenlily, Sensitive briar, and Texas milkweed. Not in flower, but growing along the creekside, we identified Bluebell gentian and the fragrant Marsh fleabane. We did not make it into the canyons where the Bigtooth maples, Canyon mock-orange, and Sycamore-leaf snowbells grow, but that may be a future trip.
The native plant list at ABK is already impressive in its diversity of uncommon, rare, and endemic species which have been verified by Bill Carr and others, and continues to grow as a result of citizen scientist observations. Several Boerne NPSOT chapter members already volunteer ABK in various capacities, so if you would be interested in indentifying, photographing, or mapping plants, you may contact me at the e-mail address below. I can promise that you will see many species that are missing from the average park or any place that has high deer populations. In addition, these surveys may well impact how this unique state natural area is developed and used for education and recreation in the future.
Anne Adams, ABK Plant Survey leader
Seedball Fun for CNC Campers and NPSOTERS
By Xanthis Barthel
On July 30, a few people from the Native Plant Society of Boerne went to Herff Farms to give a demonstration on how to make seedballs to the Cibolo Nature Center day camp participants. About 40 kids were there and many of them loved getting their hands dirty!
Herff Farm is a large piece of property that’s filled with beautiful oak trees and a little creek. There’s a giant windmill and a historical farmhouse that’s a must to see. There’s also a gorgeous demonstration garden with vegetables growing in profusion.
We set up tables by the garden and began. Kathy Ward first gave the kids a small lecture on what a seedball does and other “planty” stuff. Next, the kids came to the five tables we had put out. We then explained the ingredients, which are compost, clay, water, and wildflower seeds. We then showed the kids the “recipe”—one cup of compost mixed with two cups of clay, add one cup of water and a cup of whatever wildflower seeds you want. The seedball needs to have a diameter of about 1 cm. After it dries, throw it out in an empty space where you want your native flowers to grow. After a few rains, your flowers will begin to sprout (which may take a while because we’re in Texas).
After showing the kids how it’s done, we let them go for it. We let them make as many seedballs as they wanted and some took full advantage of it. One kid was so cute—he made a seedball for every single member of his family. Others liked it because it was just like mud.
Special thanks to Anne Adams, Kathy Ward, Emily Weiner, Rheda Boardman and my dad, Scott Barthel, who were cheerful all the way and made it fun for all.
Editor’s note: Xanthis, an 8th grader at Geneva School of Boerne, is our youngest member at age 13 and has been a member for six years. I have my eyes on her to be my backup for the newsletter.
UPCOMING
FIELD TRIP
WESTCAVE PRESERVE
Location: 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd., Round Mountain, TX. 78663
Date: Thursday Oct 2nd
Arrival Time: 9:30. To explore the learning center & use the restrooms.
Tour Time: 10:00 to 12:00
Fee: $10
Meet: Warren Skaayen Environmental Learning Center @ Westcave Preserve
* The hike does include 125 steps down and 125 steps up. There is a cable handrail and stopping points. Those not wanting to do the steps can wait at the benches at the top.
Prepare yourself – The majestic beauty of this unique Texas Hill Country Nature preserve will leave you breathless!
This expert guided 2hr. tour will take you from an arid Savannah through a limestone crevice into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. At the head of the Canyon stands Westcave with a stunning 40 foot waterfall replenishing the emerald pool below. This is part of the Trinity Aquifer.
The hike into the canyon and back is roughly one mile. You should bring your own water and wear sturdy closed toe shoes. A hiking stick may be helpful. This is a great opportunity to see migratory birds so you may want your binoculars. Don’t forget the camera.
After the tour plan on lunch at the Thyme and Dough Restaurant in Dripping Springs - or enjoy your sack lunch at the Nature Preserve’s picnic tables.
Information & Registration: Rheda Boardman, 713 504 6253
Operation Nice!
NICE! ™Plant of the Month
September 2014
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
The following is taken from an article written by Bill Ward in May 2008.
Indian grass and other bunchgrasses make NICE! landscape plants
Is it my imagination or do I hear more people talking about using native grasses in their yards these days? Not lawn grass, I mean grasses in flower beds and as substitutes for low shrubs - bunchgrasses. Several times recently I’ve heard “accent plant” used in reference to a native bunchgrass.
All this grass talk is encouraging, because certain native bunchgrasses are ideal yard plants for our climate, soil, and overabundant deer. They not only are attractive drought-tolerant landscape plants, they need no attention most of the year, grow just fine without fertilizer in the local calcareous soil, and are deer- resistant.
To call attention to bunchgrasses, Operation NICE! (Natives Instead of the Common Exotics!) is highlighting yellow Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) as Plant of the Month for June. With its golden-yellow plumelike seedheads, Indian grass is one of the prettiest fall plants in the Hill Country. It is gaining popularity as a garden grass and is available in some local nurseries from time to time.
Indian grass can be grown in clumps or as single “accent” plants. It usually grows 3-5 feet high, but can get taller during wet years. The fairly broad leaf blades are blue- green. Indian grass goes dormant during the winter, but it is perennial.
In the wild in Texas, Indian grass grows throughout East Texas and into the eastern Edwards Plateau, mostly in the part of the state averaging greater than 24 inches of rain per year. However, it also is native to the drier Panhandle and some spots in Trans-Pecos Texas. Indian grass is one of the dominant species of tall-grass prairies.
As its natural distribution would suggest, Indian grass thrives in a variety of soil types. In the garden, it seems to benefit from an occasional watering, and, of course, it grows well in rich soil. However, there is Indian grass thriving on the back part of our lot where nothing is ever irrigated and the soil couldn’t be called rich.
The Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas provides free planting and care instructions for Indian grass at nurseries participating in Operation NICE! (Hill Country African Violets and Medina Garden Nursery).
One native bunchgrass more widely available in nurseries is Lindheimer muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri), a grass that can look good in any garden or yard. It’s one of my favorite Hill Country grasses, and it is easy to cultivate. Lindheimer muhly is a handsome gray-green bunchgrass that grows three to five feet tall and sends up long narrow plumes in the fall. It could be grown as an accent plant in much the same way as the exotic pampas grass is used.
Operation NICE! Tip: With established stands of Indiangrass, cut back to ground level in late winter to expose new growth to sunlight. Since it has a massive root system, it can be highly effective in erosion control and is an essential planting for prairie restoration. It can also be mixed in with other native shrubs to create a field border. Beautiful and diverse, Indiangrass is also an ornamental that can serve as a back border for a flower or butterfly garden or as an accent plant. The 2014 NICE! poster and planting instructions for all of our NICE! plants are on our website:
Chapter Community Outreach
Docent Training: Herff Homestead
The Historic Herff Homestead, including the refurbished home, is going to be open for tours during the CNC and Farm’s Farmer’s Market starting September 20. Trained docents will lead the tours. If you are interested in being a docent or want more information, contact . Docent training will be on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:00 - 6:00 pm. This could be a great outreach opportunity for NPSOT-Boerne.
Regional Stuff
Society for Ecological Restoration, Texas Chapter (TXSER)
Society for Ecological Restoration, Southwest Chapter (SER-SW)
Joint Conference
October 17-19, 2014,
Alpine, Texas on the campus of Sul Ross State University
For those not traveling up to Texarkana for the Symposium, an alternative is to head out to Alpine for the Society for Ecological Restoration Conference. This is an opportunity to network and find new, exciting ways to contribute to the field of ecological restoration – through presentations, speakers, and field trips in this unique region. Details are at .
2014 Texas Plant Conservation Conference
November 5-8, 2014
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Austin, Texas,
The goal of the conference is to foster communication among conservation organizations, agencies, academics and the public about native plant conservation. The conference, held bi-annually, is a professional level meeting including keynotes, concurrent sessions, workshops, symposia, posters and field trips designed to serve scientists, land managers, state and federal agencies, local governments, and other professionals with an interest in plant conservation in Texas. Registration and conference details are available at: