The Native Plant Press
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Native Plant Press March 2019 The Native Plant Press The Newsletter of the Central Puget Sound Chapter of WNPS Volume 20 No. 3 March 2019 March Program: The Flora of Seattle in 1850: Major Species and Landscapes Prior to Urbanization Thursday, March 7, 7:00 pm Mountaineers Program Center Programs The Flora of Seattle in 1850: Major Species & Landscapes Prior to Urbanization Ray Larson Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way NE Thursday, March 7, 7:00pm Ray Larson was born and raised in Seattle. Although he earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and history (with a minor in art), his lifelong interest in gardening led him to employment at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture during the summer months while competing his degree. He began working there full time shortly after graduation and eventually earned his Master of Science in Urban Horticulture in 2005. He has worked as Facilities Coordinator at the Elisabeth Miller Botanical Garden and as Head Gardener at Hill- Crest, the UW-owned residence of the university president, overseeing the renovation of the 1.5-acre, 100-year-old garden. He is currently the Curator of the Hyde Herbarium at the UW Botanic Gardens. Ray completed two terms as president of the Northwest Horticultural Society in November 2011. Ray lives and gardens in northeast Seattle with his 9 year-old daughter, Hazel. Ray will offer a glimpse into the historic flora and landscapes of the Seattle area just before Euro- American settlers arrived. This talk, based on his Master’s thesis, will draw from sources such as herbarium specimens, settlers accounts, survey maps and photographs to discuss the plants and scenery that made up the local landscape before Seattle was changed forever. This research offers the most complete view yet of the historic flora of Seattle area, and is being used both as a tool for local restoration efforts and model for reconstructing historic floras and landscapes from the pre-settlement period in other parts of the United States. Public invited, refreshments, admission is free. Produced by Sharon Baker and Shelley Evans On Prairies Jon Bakker PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE, THIS MONTH ONLY Center for Urban Horticulture 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle Thursday, April 4, 7:00pm The prairies of western Washington are an unexpected surprise in an area renowned for its trees. Dr. Jon Bakker will review their history, importance, and current status, illustrate current restoration practices, and highlight some fascinating elements of their ecology. Jon Bakker is the David R. M. Scott Associate Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. His research focuses on the restoration and management of terrestrial ecosystems, including prairies, shrublands, and forests. His teaching includes restoration ecology, statistics, and native plant production. Page 1 of 8 NPP Vol 20, No. 3 March 2019 Native Plant Press March 2019 Native Plant Identification, Westside Programs By Nelson Salisbury, Chapter Botanist and Stewart Wechsler, Botanist Fellow (Offered only at Westside meetings) A free plant identification workshop is offered at 6:00pm before each Westside meeting. While the workshop is oriented primarily toward beginners, anyone who wants to work on improving keying skills or their familiarity with the northwest flora is welcome. Feel free to bring samples of unknown plants for identification. We will have material and tools if you come empty-handed. The Alpine Flowers of Mt. Rainier Donovan Tracy Bellevue Botanical Garden Tuesday, April 9, 7:00pm Wild flower enthusiast and photographer, Donovan Tracy will discuss the amazing flowers found at Mount Rainier. The presentation will focus on two areas: the subalpine meadows between 5,000’ – 6,500’ elevation and alpine plants found above 6,500’ in Mount Rainier National Park. Donovan will review the classifications of subalpine meadows and highlight some of their vegetation and community types. Extensive use of photographs will show the distinctions of these types with an emphasis on the contrasts between the Paradise and Sunrise sides of The Mountain. The alpine plant area will emphasis the uniqueness of these plants which endure harsh tundra like conditions. He will mix in some comments on wildflower photography, suggestions for wildflower hikes in the Park, and provide some historical references as well. Donovan is an amateur photographer with a special interest in wildflower photography. He is a volunteer with the UW Herbarium, and co-author of the wildflower guide, Alpine Flowers of Mount Rainier, with David Giblin, the herbarium’s collection manager. He developed and maintains the website Flowers of Rainier (www.flowersofrainier.com) which features over 230 species and 12 wildflower hikes. Public invited, refreshments, admission is free. Produced by Cheryl Wagner Plan Ahead: Our May program will be held on SATURDAY, May 4, at 7:00 pm, at the Mountaineers Andy McKinnon will speak on Endophytic Fungi. This program is co-sponsored by the Puget Sound Mycological Society and Mountaineers Naturalist Programs. Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park NEW DATE: October 8, 2019 This program, originally scheduled for February 12, was cancelled because of terrible weather. We are fortunate that the speaker, Lauren Danner, is available this coming October. The program will be at the Bellevue Botanical Garden at 7:00pm. For more information, refer to last month’s Native Plant Press. Upcoming Programs BBG: Bellevue Botanical Garden on the East side CUH Center for Urban Horticulture 12001 Main St., Bellevue 98005 3501 NE 41st. St., Seattle 98195 MTR: Mountaineers Headquarters on the West SAM Sammamish Library side 825 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle 98115 MTR March 7, 7:00pm “The Flora of Seattle in 1850: Major Species and Landscapes Prior to Urban Development,” Ray Larson CUH Please note location change. This month only we will meet at the Center for Urban Horticulture. April 4, 7:00 pm “On Prairies,” Jon Bakker BBG April 9, 7:00pm “The Alpine Flowers of Mt. Rainier,” Donovan Tracy MTR Please note date change. This month only we will meet on a Saturday. May 4, 7:00 pm “The Role of Endophytic Fungi in the Production of Plant Chemicals,” Andy McKinnon. Co-sponsored by Puget Sound Mycological Society and Mountaineers Naturalist Programs. Page 2 of 8 NPP Vol 20, No. 3 March 2019 Native Plant Press March 2019 Mountaineers Naturalist Programs The Mountaineers will be co-sponsoring our May 2019 program. They promote our events on their online calendar. This is their upcoming Naturalist Group Lectures. These programs are on Wednesdays at the Mountaineers Seattle Center. For more information go to [email protected] or call 206-521-6000. March 13, 2019 (Wed) 7:00pm – 9:00pm Govinda Rosling “Pigeon Guillemots: a seabird that measures the health of the Salish Sea”. Prepare to be wowed when Govinda Rosling shares her photo rich account of seabirds’ life cycle, behavioral habits, quirks, and antics. You’ll be entertained as she explains the Pigeon Guillemot Research Group’s 15 year study and why it’s important. Board Member Reports Message from the Chair Dan Paquette Oh, the weather outside is <fill in the blank> without using any blankety blank adjectives. We’ve been forced to reschedule or waylay some of our events and work parties. Oh, woe are we! As twigs winter through the slings and arrows of weather onslaughts and mixed metaphors, and the buds of hazelnuts and Indian plum struggle forth, yet, our plans for the spring plant sale proceed, and even some exploration has begun for a fall plant sale. And so, forward we go! It’s the year of the pig, and as it was said in Charlotte’s Web, “Some pig!” Message from the Plant Sale Co-chair: Spring Plant Sale News Yen Flanagin Mark your calendar! On Saturday April 27th, WNPS-CPS will hold its annual Spring Native Plant Sale and Environmental Fair at Mercerdale Park, Mercer Island. The proceeds of the Plant Sale benefit CPS and its education programs. If you believe in the mission of WNPS and enjoy attending programs and lecture workshops sponsored by CPS in your community, we encourage you to get involved. There are many ways to do so: donate your time, spread the word, attend the sale event or do all three. This will be my third plant sale and I’m happy to announce that Nancy Bowen-Pope will share the responsibilities of the chair position with me. An expert about growing and gardening with native plants, Nancy has been volunteering for CPS native plant sales long before I knew about WNPS. Our committee is lucky to have her join our team. But wait! WNPS members get to shop one hour earlier at 9:00 AM for the best selection. Not a member? Please click https://wnps.org/membership or call 206-527-3210 to learn how to become a member. Thank you! We need volunteers, for before, during and after the sale. Whether working with plants, advising customers or tallying purchases, working on the plant sale is a fun way to spend time with plants and plant people. Please contact Ann Marten at [email protected] for more information and to sign up. The work for the sale has started already, and you’re invited to join in! • You don’t need experience. • You don’t need plant knowledge. • You don’t need to do physical tasks. Please look at the list and see which jobs appeal to you and which might fit your schedule, and we will match you up! Page 3 of 8 NPP Vol 20, No. 3 March 2019 Native Plant Press March 2019 Training is available and refreshments for volunteers are available the day before and the day of the sale.