VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 MAR/APR 2002

Interagency Botany Project Continues to Bene- fit Federal Agencies and Rare Species

By Deborah J. Clark, Bureau of Land Management, 150 East, 900 North, Richfield, 84701 This is a sequel to the article printed in the Jan/Feb 2001 issue of the Sego Lily. In 2000, Capitol Reef National Park (CARE) received funding for a three-year rare plant species inventory through the National Park Service (NPS). In 2001, CARE received a $1,000 grant from the Utah Native Plant Society to assist with this project. CARE used the grant money to hire a student from Southern Utah University to work on the field crew. This article will report a summary of our findings from last years’ field season.

As mentioned in the earlier article, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, Dixie National Forest (DNF), Fishlake National Forest (FNF), and CARE share man- agement responsibilities for many of the same Threatened, En- MAR/APR 2002 dangered & Sensitive plant species (TE&S). To enable each of these agencies to better manage their shared TE&S species, Interagency Botany Project Continues to Benefit they decided to create an interagency botany position and hire an employee to survey and/or monitor for these species through- Federal Agencies and Rare Plant Species out their ranges, regardless of agency boundaries. A BLM em- ploy ee was hired and stationed at CARE to act as project leader f or this three-year project. Through the interagency agreement, Keep off the Grass! the agencies are able to pool funding in order to extend surveys onto federal lands adjacent to CARE. This has expanded the scope of the NPS project to include FNF, DNF and BLM adjacent 2nd Notice to All Complimentary Subscriptions to CARE. The study Fungi Can Whack Invasive Weeds The primary purposes of this project are to (1) conduct intensive surveys for target species on potential habitat within and adjacent to CARE, and (2) determine potential for impact by Events and Activities visitor, recreational or livestock use if possible. The 2001 field season focused on the following species; Gilia tenuis, maguirei, Erigeron abajoensis, Erigeron awapensis, Townsendia God’s Take on Lawns aprica, Sclerocactus wrightiae, Astragalus harrisonii, beckii, Gilia caespitosa, Hymenoxys acaulis var. nana, Theles- perma subnudum var. alpinum, Spiranthes diluvialis, Habenaria zothecina, and Salix arizonica. Additional tasks were to continue Biocontrol Beetles Set Free to Tackle Saltcedar annual monitoring of targeted species on both CARE and BLM and to continue surveys for the suite of Tushar endemics on PA G E 2 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 Interagency Botany Project Continues to Benefit an area for Gilia tenuis, and three new sites were found with Federal Agencies and Rare Plant Species (cont.) Gilia tenuis in bloom. Partnerships FNF. Later in the season we were asked to assist DNF with surveys for an endemic species, Potentilla angelliae, on Boul- Each of the participating agencies used the inter- der Mountain. During all these surveys, crews looked for agency agreement to pool funding for this project. This en- other TE&S species when we were in appropriate habitats. abled them to extend surveys onto federal lands adjacent to CARE and to expand the scope of the NPS project to FNF, Surveys were conducted for the target species f rom DNF and BLM. For Fiscal Year 2001, NPS contributed March through September when the majority of were in $53,000, BLM contributed $26,000, DNF contributed $7,200 f ull bloom to ensure proper plant identification and increased and FNF contributed $12,000. Capitol Reef Natural History survey accuracy. We began in the early spring at lower ele- Association (CRNHA) is very supportive of natural resource v ations and as the season progressed we moved to higher issues within CARE and joined the agencies in support of the elev ations thus ensuring proper search times for each spe- project by donating $4,000 this year also. Utah Native Plant cies. Each area was surveyed by walking wandering tran- Society (UNPS) also joined the agencies in support of this sects through all accessible areas and/or by using binoculars effort with a $1,000 grant. The non-federal dollars from to search cliff-faces. Surveys for Sclerocactus wrightiae in the CRNHA and UNPS enabled FNF, DNF and BLM to obtain southern end of CARE were conducted from horseback since cost share dollars from their budgets and enabled CARE to there was such a large area to cover. For future reference, hire an additional crew member and to purchase field equip- crews noted on maps all areas surveyed regardless of find- ment to improve the quality of work accomplished. ings.

F or eac h new oc c urrenc e of a s pec ies, crewm em - bers completed a modified version the Utah Natural Heritage Conclusions Division Site Visit Account Survey Form, took photographs, and mapped its location on 7.5’ quadrangle maps. Wherever Work accomplished during this field season resulted possible, a Global Positioning System was used to map the in the discovery and documentation of several new localities precise location of each new occurrence. All new localities f or 20 TE&S species. Some of the target species were re- will be entered into each agencys’ Geographic Information corded for the first time on FNF and DNF, confirming that System along with a summary of data about the locality. This more work needs to be done before these species ranges and ensures long-term retrieval capabilities for future resource niches are completely understood. Individual species reports managers. summarizing findings this year will be submitted to each agency (if the species is located on that agencies’ land), Utah Survey results Natural Heritage Division and FWS. In 2001, the crew consisted of the interagency biolo- The creation of this interagency crew has proven gist employed by BLM; a seasonal crew leader and five sea- benef icial to all participating agencies. There are numerous sonal crewmembers employed by CARE; a seasonal biologi- TE&S plant species whose distributions overlap agency juris- cal technician from DNF; and three biological technicians f rom dictions, so it is to the mutual scientific and economic benefit FNF (names of field crew listed at the end of the article). The of the agencies to manage these TE&S species cooperatively technicians from both DNF and FNF worked intermittently with on an ecosystem basis. Fieldwork is conducted throughout the crew primarily when the crew was working on the respec- the range of each target species regardless of agency tive Forests. The FNF Ecologist, CARE Chief of Resources boundaries, so a more accurate picture of the species and its and BLM Biologist also assisted with surveys in specific loca- habitat requirements is gained. tions. Surveys began on March 20 and continued through September 20, 2001. We surveyed approximately 10,320 Information gathered during this three-year study acres (excluding the Tushar Mountains) of potential habitat enables the participating agencies to meet legal requirements and recorded 75 new site locations for 20 of the target spe- of the Endangered Species Act, comply with NPS, BLM and cies. Twelve additional sites were revisited and documented USFS management policies, and address Government Per- f or three species. Table 1 lists species found by agency and f ormance and Results Act goals. Knowledge gained about number of site locations. these species and their specific habitat requirements will en- able federal officials to ensure that these plants are protected Fishlake National Forest provided additional funding and will assist in predicting which areas may contain addi- to support the field crew to work in the Tushar Mountains and tional occurrences. Results from this study will also help in to survey for Arizona willow in the Monroe Mountains. We determining which species should be monitored to determine spent the week of July 23, 2001 in the Tushar Mountains and impacts. several days in August in the Monroe Mountains. Dixie Na- tional Forest provided a field crew to work with the NPS crew Field Crew Members for the 2001 season; Shirley leader to survey for Potentilla angilliae on Boulder Mountain. Bell, Shanna Ray Brown, Deborah Clark, Keith Durfey, Chris This work was done the week of August 6, 2001. Groebner, Gary Lenhart, Erin Magoon, Terry Miller, Zachary Miller, Phil Scarry, Amy Schwarzbach, David Tait, and Kyle Calendar year 2001 was an excellent year for sur- Wheeler. v eys since the previous fall and winter were wet with record snowf alls in the project area. All species targeted for surveys bloomed, often for extended time periods. In fact, a fall recon- naissance trip was planned in the San Rafael Swell to review VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 PA G E 3

Table 1. List of TE&S species found in 2001, by agency and number of sites. Species Status Agenc y # of Sites Astragalus asclepioides G4/S3S4 BLM 1 Astragalus consobrinus G2G3/S2S3 BLM 1 Cymopterus beckii G2G3/S2S3 CARE 6 Erigeron maguirei Threatened BLM/CARE 8 Eriogonum corymbosum var. re- G3/S1 FNF 1 Gilia caespitosa G2/S2 CARE/FNF 6 Gilia tenuis G1/S1 BLM 11 Habenaria zothecina G2/S2 DNF/CARE 3 Lomatium junceum G3/S3 FNF 1 Opuntia basilaris var. heilii G5/T2T3/S2S3 BLM 1

Pediocactus despainii Endangered BLM 1 Pediocactus winkleri Threatened CARE 1 Physaria acutifolia var. purpurea G5/T2/S2 FNF 1 Potentilla angelliae G1/S1 DNF 8 Salix arizonica G3/S2 FNF 3 Sclerocactus wrightiae Threatened BLM/CARE 21 Sphaeralcea psoroloides G2/S2 BLM 2 Thelesperma subnudum var. G5/T2/S2 FNF 4 Townsendia aprica Threatened BLM/CARE/DNF 6 Xylorhiza confertifolia G1G2/S1S2 DNF 1

Total 87

PA G E 4 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 Keep Off the Grass!

From the Native Plant Society of New Mexico News- letter, excerpt from the Nov/Dec 2001 issue of Sierra Magazine.

What began as an anti-law n party has become a mini-revolution. In May 1991, the Montreal sub- urb of Hudson passed a law banning the “cosmetic” use of pesticides within tow n bounda- ries-making it illegal to douse those dandelions in the garden or on private law ns. Recreational fa- cilities such as parks and golf courses were also restricted from using pesticides. TruGreen Chemlaw n and Spray Tech, tw o pesticide- And for good reason: Of the 36 most commonly application companies, didn’t care for the ruling used law n pesticides, 13 have been found to and challenged the law , taking it all the w ay to cause cancer, 14 cause birth defects, 15 have Canada’s Supreme Court. This summer it be- been linked to liver or kidney damage, and 21 came official: The high court ruled that munici- damage the nervous system. palities across the country now have a right to ban pesticide use on public and private property.

2nd Notice: All Complimentary Newsletter Subscribers!

The Utah Native Plant Society is updating its complimentary subscription list. Anyone, such as a library or native plant society, that currently receives the UNPS newsletter, the Sego Lily, free of charge must contact the Society in order to continue receiving the newsletter. No response equals no subscription.

Please contact Abby Moore at: [email protected] Or write to:

Utah Native Plant Society Complimentary Subscriptions P.O. Bo x 520041 Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0041 PA G E 5 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2

Fungi Can Whack Invasive Weeds

American farmers and homeow ners spend mil- pollen causes irritated eyes, runny noses, and lions combating w eeds and other alien organ- general discomfort for many sufferers. isms introduced from foreign countries. With the "Last year, scientists in Hungary—w here ragw eed increase in international commerce and trade, is even more of a problem—reported that they had the number of alien species becoming estab- found a fungus, possibly a Septoria, that w as lished in this country is grow ing every year. pathogenic to ragw eed. It causes leaves to die and "Luckily, fungi provide a vast arsenal of ammuni- kills some plants, probably by entering through leaf tion to control noxious w eeds—both established pores." and new ly arrived—that invade roadsides, After searching the literature and fungus collection, rangelands, and w aterways and crowd out useful Farr determined that this beneficial species of and native plants," says mycologist Amy Y. Septoria is also found in the , though Rossman. She heads the Agricultural Research not previously described anywhere. Using molecu- Service's Systematic Botany and Mycology lar sequencing, he characterized it, named it S. Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. epambrosiae, and illustrated it. Then he show ed it Fungi are among the most biologically diverse to be distinct from three other related, know n Sep- organisms on Earth. Once discovered and char- toria species. acterized, many previously unknow n species can "Scientists w ill use this information to communi- be put to w ork. Thanks to research at Rossman's cate about the new fungus in developing it as a lab, ARS scientists at several U.S. laboratories biocontrol agent for ragw eed," says Farr. are testing the effectiveness of three new fungus species as biocontrols for some of the United States' major invasive w eeds: ragw eed, purple loosestrife, kudzu, and morningglory. Garden Plant Gone Wild Mycologist David F. Farr is curator of ARS' U.S. National Fungus Collections, maintained at One of the other fungi that Farr discovered was Beltsville. A systematist, Farr probes the collec- one that attacks purple loosestrife, Lythrum sali- tion's 1 million fungal specimens to discover, caria. "This name, scientifically describe, and classify agri- perennial gar- culturally important fungi. den plant has "Once these organisms are characterized, their become a nox- weed-control potential can be tested in field and ious w eed and lab experiments," says Farr. He recently discov- is spreading ered several fungi—tw o new to science—that rapidly through- may offer nonchemical control of these four out North A mer- weeds ica," says Farr. "Native to Europe and Asia, purple An Irritant Wherever It Grows loosestrife grows and re- produces prolifi- "Ragw eed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is a noxious cally in w et- plant that infests thousands of acres of arable lands and other land w orldw ide and causes allergic reactions— moist habitats. often seasonal—in many people," says Farr. "Its It's degrading PA G E 6 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2

Fungi Can Whack Invasive Weeds (cont.) the quality of thousands of acres of wetlands, The Stoneville researchers are doing extensive becoming the dominant vegetation by outcom- toxicological studies on the fungus and are look- peting native plants that provide critical food, ing for a company to license the patented kudzu- shelter, and breeding areas for wildlife." control technology. After careful examination of form and structure and DNA sequencing, Farr w as able to deter- mine the molecular fingerprint of the fungus— Quarantine and Morningglories also new to science. "We described, illustrated, and named it Hark- Farr recently collaborated w ith ARS plant pa- nessia lythrii," says Farr. "Many species of Hark- thologist Douglas G. Luster, w ho is at the ARS nessia are host specific—but not all of them—so Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit scientists need to ensure that this fungus attacks in Frederick, Maryland, on the systematics of a only purple loosestrife." different strain of M. verrucaria. With four micro- bial containment greenhouses, this unit is the nation's largest facility for studying whole plants Kudzu—A Colossal Creep under quarantine conditions. Scientists there have developed techniques to monitor biocontrol agents after release into the Plant pathologist C. Douglas Boyette at A RS' environment. They use the poly merase chain Southern Weed Science Research Unit, Stone- reaction, amplified fragment length poly mor- ville, Mississippi, recently discovered that the phism, DNA sequencing, molecular marking, and sicklepod fungus Myrothecium verrucaria is also other sensitive technologies to detect and iden- an effective bioherbicide for controlling kudzu. tify a weed pathogen's unique genetic fingerprint. This fast-grow ing, nonnative w eed covers more This lets them differentiate strains of the same than 7 million acres of the South. fungal species. "Kudzu resembles a giant beanstalk," says "DNA fingerprinting also helps scientists keep Boyette. "It spreads at a rate of about 120,000 close tabs on spore growth and spread, host acres a year, reducing land productivity. Home- range, and effectiveness of biocontrol pathogens ow ners have a hard time controlling this vine, like Myrothecium once they've been released," which grows up the sides of buildings, along Luster says. They've fingerprinted several strains fences, and on trees and telephone poles. Con- of this soil fungus that kill morningglories, a trol costs increase by nearly $6 million each weed that plagues sugarcane grow ers. year." In greenhouse and small field plot studies, Boyette and ARS plant pathologist Hamed K. Abbas found that the Myrothecium bioherbicide killed 100 percent of kudzu w eeds treated at dif- ferent growth stages and under varying physical and environmental conditions. It should provide a good nonchemical control alternative, since one spray treatment kills leaves and stems and appears to invade the roots. This research was done in collaboration w ith Louisiana Tech Uni- versity-Ruston. PA G E 7 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2

Native Plant Propagation Workshops

Hands-on Experience with Growing Utah Native Wildflowers, Shrubs, and Ornamental Grasses from Seed

These w orkshops are part of the UNPS Heritage Garden Program, w hich has the goal of increasing love and know ledge of native plants through horticulture. Participants w ill receive information on native plant horticul- ture and w ill have the opportunity to take home planted seeds and w atch them grow . Send a $10 check to the contact listed for the w orkshop you w ill be attending or call for more information.

Salt Lake Workshops Provo Workshops Park City Workshops Date and Two workshops: Two workshops: One workshop: Time Saturday, March 9, 9:00 am to 12 pm Saturday, March 16, 9 am to 11 am March 2, 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 12 noon to 3 pm Saturday, March 9, 1 pm to 3 pm

Location Liberty Park Greenhouse (enter on USFS Shrub Sciences Laboratory Park City (call Dave or Mindy the west side), 700 E between 900 Greenhouses, 735 North 500 East f or more information)

Contact Therese Meyer, 801-272-3275, 2931 Susan Meyer, 412 East Salem Hills Dave Gardener 435-649- E. Tolcate Lane, Holladay, UT 84121 Circle, Elk Ridge UT 84651 3355 or Mindy Wheeler 801- 699-5459

Native Plant Propagation Workshops

Name______Phone #______Email______

Address______

Workshop location, date and time you will be attending______PA G E 8 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2

“We shall never produce an art of landscaping worthwhile until we have learned to love the soil and the beauty of our homeland.” -Jane Jensen, landscape architect and conservationist (1860-1951)

“Whatever its condition, the environment is, after all, a reflection of ourselves, our tastes, our aspira- tions, our successes, and our failures.” -Lady Bird Johnson VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 PA G E 9

Events and Activities

Cost of the class is $55. Registration is through UVSC Continuing Education . Participants will use private ve- We stern Socie ty for Weed Science hicles for field trips. For more details call Jess Wag- Annual Conference staff, 785-5660 or email him at [email protected].

March 11-14, 2002. Salt Lake City, Utah. Keep up with the latest in weed control in western North America. Lots of great talks and networking. For more information visit Design Basics for Waterwise Land- the WSWS website at: www.wsweedscience.org scapes

Saturday, April 20, 10-noon. Jordan Valley Water Con- servancy District, 8215 S 1300 W. Don’t miss this free Water Conserving Plants Class workshop by Stephanie Duer, Conservation Coordinator for Salt Lake City and experienced landscape designer March to May. Jess Wagstaff, retired USDA poisonous and horticulturist. Learn the basic landscape design plant expert, and the Utah Valley Chapter have teamed principles for your home landscape. Includes incorpo- together to organize a UVSC continuing education class rating Utah native plants! Due to limited space, please called Water Conserving Plants. Emphasis throughout RSVP 1-877-728-3420. will be on water conservation. This class will be a combi- nation of lectures on Wednesday evenings and 4 Satur- day workshops and field trips. The lectures will be held in Pleasant Grove, with location to be announced in the Gorgeous Utah Native Plants UVSC Discovery catalog. The first class is on in the Landscape March 13 and scheduled from 7-9 pm. The final field trip is scheduled for Satur- day, May 18. Lectures include the following top- Thursday, June 6, 7-8:30 p.m. Jordan Valley ics: Introduction by Jess Wagstaff, Water Conservancy District, 8215 S 1300 W. Nomencl ature and of nati ve Back by popular demand! Susan Meyer, and other water conserving plants, by President of the Utah Native Plant Soci- Renee Van Buren, Utah Valley State ety, is once agai n teachi ng her ac- Coll ege Biol ogy Department, Xeri c cl aimed Nati ve Pl ants i n the Land- Landscaping by Paula Mohadjer, scape workshop. Great slides and a Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Dis- wealth of information! Due to limited trict, Sources of Native and Xeric space, please RSVP 1-877-728-3420. Plants, Xeric plants and the environment by Stan Kitchen, Shrub Sciences Lab, Public Policy Implications and Use of Na- tive and Xeric Plants on Public Land, 2002 SER Conference: A speaker TBA, Commercial sources of plants, Convocation: Understanding speakers TBA, Roundtable Discussion of Challenges in the Use of Native Plants, including but not limited to and Restoring Ecosystems weeds, fire, deer, toxic plants.

Saturday events include: Workshop on Propagation of August 4-9, 2002. Tucson, AZ. This is a joint confer- Utah Native plants, by Susan Meyer, Tour of Commercial ence with SER and Ecological Society of America. Both Grower, Tour of Xeric Gardens at Jordan Valley Water organizations are putting together shared and unique Conservancy District by Paula Mohadjer, Rush Valley sessions, symposia, workshops and fieldtrips! tour, including examples of poisonous plants, good rock garden plants, examples of weed invasion, salt desert and sagebrush ecosystems.

PAGE 10 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 God’s Take on Lawns

Imagine the conversation The Creator might have heat. That had with St. Francis on the subject of lawns: su re l y sl o ws the growth and GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. saves them a What in the world is going on down there in the Mid- lot of work. west? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no- ST. FRANCIS: maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any You aren’t type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with aban- going to be- don. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts lieve this, butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I ex- Lord. When pected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses see are these green rectangles. and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of ir. ST. FRANCIS: It’s the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers GOD: What nonsense! At least they kept some of “weeds” and went to great lengths to kill them and re- the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do place them with grass. say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the au- GOD: Grass? But it’s so boring. It’s not colorful. It tumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blan- doesn’t attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs ket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and sod worms. It’s temperamental with temperatures. and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form com- Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass grow- post to enhance the soil. It’s a natural circle of life. ing there? ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Sub- ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great urbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant have them hauled away. that crops up in the lawn. GOD: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and make grass grow really fast. That must make the Sub- loose? urbanites happy. ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it go out and buy something which they call mulch. grows a little, they cut it—sometimes twice a week. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay? leaves. ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it GOD: And where do they get this mulch? up and put it in bags. ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they up to make the mulch. sell it? GOD: Enough. I don’t want to think about this any- ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir. Just the opposite. They pay to more. St. Catherine, you’re in charge of the arts. throw it away. What movie have they scheduled for us tonight? GOD: Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass ST. CATHERINE: “Dumb and Dumber”, Lord. It’s a so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut if off really stupid movie about… and pay to throw it away? GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir. from St. Francis. GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the From the internet, Infomaniac. VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 PAGE 11 Biocontrol Beetles Set Free to Tackle Saltcedar

By Kathryn Barry Stelljes Empidonax traillii extimus. In some locations, May 22, 2001 these endangered birds nest in saltcedar that has crowded out their native w illow nesting sites. Chinese leaf beetles (Diorhabda elongata) are be- ginning official duty as the first biological control Biological control is expected to slow ly reduce agents released into the environment against salt- saltcedar, allow ing beneficial plant and animal cedar (Tamarix spp.). species to reestablish in severely infested areas. Other planned activities include continued moni- These invasive trees, w hich toring of the insects, plants can grow up to 30 feet tall, and associated w ildlife, infest more than 1 million and studies to facilitate acres along w estern w ater- revegetation w ith native ways. In addition to crow ding plants. out native plants, saltcedar can increase soil salinity, di- The project, initiated and vert natural streamflow and coordinated through increase w ildfire frequency. US DA ’s A gric ultural Re- search Service, operates Unprecedented monitoring of in conjunction w ith a con- the beetle and its impacts be- sortium of more than 30 gan in July 1999, w hen the federal, state, and local insects were put out in large agencies; universities; and cages at 10 locations in six private organizations. The western states. team received a $3 million grant in 2000 from the Scientists first released the USDA's Initiative for Future beetles from field cages last Agriculture and Food Sys- week near Seymour, Texas, tems for w ork on a com- and Pueblo, Colo. They plan plex of invasive weeds, to make other releases near including saltcedar. Bishop, Calif.; Fallon, Love- lock and Schurz, Nev.; Delta, Utah; and Lovell, Wyo. Addi- ARS is USDA’s chief sci- tional nursery cages are being entific research agency. established at new sites near Woodland and King City, Calif. Scientific contacts: C. Jack DeLoach, ARS Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, Biological control agents are often released di- Temple, Texas, phone (254) 770-6531, fax (254) rectly into the environment. In this case, the U.S. 770-6561, [email protected]; Raymond I. Department of Agriculture and cooperating scien- Carruthers, Exotic and Invasive Weeds Re- tists are w atching these beetles closely to ensure search Unit, ARS Western Regional Research their establishment and to evaluate their impact, Center, Albany, Calif., phone (510) 559-6127, population grow th and safety. fax (510) 559-6123, [email protected].

This information has been used to ensure that the biocontrol project protects all native species in the area, including the southw estern w illow flycatcher, Non-Profit Org. UNPS U.S. Postage Utah Native Plant Society PAID P.O. Box 520041 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0041 Utah PERMIT No. 327

Utah Ladyfinger Astragalus utahensi s

Bitsy Schultz

Utah Native Plant Society Membership and Information

Gift For more information about the UTAH NATIVE PLANT SOCIETYڤ Renewalڤ New Memberڤ Utah Native Plant Society call: President: Susan Meyer Name:______President Elect: Larry Meyer Street:______Bill King: 582-0432 Treasurer: Ben Franklin City/State:______Susan Garvin: 356-5108 Secretary: Therese Mey er Zip:______Phone______Larry Meyer: 272-3275 Newsletter Editors: Paula Mohadjer Email:______Or write to: [email protected] and Mindy Wheeler

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Check membership category desired: Cache: Tami Coleman Student $9.00 CheckCheck out out our ourڤ Canyonlands: Karen Dohrenwend & Senior $12.00 website!website! Sarah Haffronڤ Individual $15.00ڤ Central Utah Chapter Household $25.00 www.unps.orgwww.unps.org Mountain: Abby Mooreڤ Sustaining $40.00 Price: Mike Hubbardڤ Supporting Org. $55.00 Salt Lake: Mindy Wheelerڤ Corporate $250.00 and up Southern Utah: Mike Empeyڤ Lif etime $250.00 Uinta Chapterڤ Please send a complimentary copy of the Sego Many thanks to Xmission for Utah Valley: Phil Allen Lily to the above individual. sponsoring the Utah Native Plant Society website. Please enclose a check, payable to Utah Native COMMITTEES Plant Society and send it to: Please direct all suggestions, Horticulture: Susan Meyer articles and events for the Conservation: Bill King Membership newsletter to Paula Mohadjer Education: Mindy Wheeler Utah Native Plant Society at [email protected]. Dead- Invasive Species: Phil Allen P.O.Box 520041 line for next issue is Feb 15. Communications: Paula Mohadjer Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-0041