1020 W. Starr Pass nonprofit org Tucson, AZ 85713 US postage open 8-5 Tue-Sat PAID Tucson, Arizona permit no. 337 Desert Survivors NURTURING AND PEOPLE SINCE 1981

FALL 2013

Executive Director’s Report

The Fall Sale is always a My department takes care of welcome milestone at the end the administration of the entire of summer. And putting to- Members agency. Gwen and Mireya dot gether the newsletter is a time to all the I’s and cross all the T’s to contemplate the various compo- September 28, Saturday, 8am - 5pm keep us on track. Believe me, nents of our organization. As I 20% off everything there are a multitude of contracts, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: was contemplating what impor- leases, certifications, expenses desertsurvivors.org Program Services tant topic I might write about Members get 20% off during general and revenues, registrations, and in my report, it dawned on me public sale as well transactions to track. For this update, I have to start by sharing my learning the new model and overcom- MEMBERSHIP: $50/yr that one of the most important -newsletter semiannually As director of Desert Survivors for own exciting news. I am a proud Grandma ing some systems glitches with the central ingredients in Desert Survivors is -10% off plant purchases almost 20 years, I am fully aware the people that work for us, so I to a beautiful baby boy born on August 12, office for the Arizona Early Intervention all year that the staff of Desert Survivors 2013. I have been an un-official surrogate Program (AzEIP) but, on the whole, the new -members’ day sale entry would like to acknowledge them is what has made it a top notch grandma to so many model is working here. agency. We have also had the children over the years well for families DIRECTORY: Our agency is comprised of invaluable guidance of our Board and I adore every one and that, of course, nineteen staff members who of Directors. Chris, Tom, Doug, of them, but finally is what really mat- Richard Bechtold work in three divisions. Karen Stan, and Jenn make sure the having a true grand- ters. Executive Director is the Director of Program agency meets its mission. I could baby is absolutely This summer has 609-8333 Services, Jim runs the Native not do what I need to do without amazing. This has to been an espe- Jim Verrier Plant Nursery, and I run the their direction. I thank the Lord be my favorite role cially hot one for Nursery Director Administrative section. Karen for everyone at Desert Survivors. ever. our Adult Services 791-9309 oversees our Adult Vocational On another note, Desert Survi- On the Desert Survi- members. I am so Karen Wilson Program, as well as the Chil- vors will run its State Tax Credit vors front, the news is proud of all of them Director of Programs dren’s Program. Our infants Campaign again in the late fall. also good. Children’s for continuing to 884-8806 and their families receive early It was a huge success last year. I Services has success- work hard and do intervention services from Kathy guess our members like to know fully made the transi- a great job despite and Brooke. Emory, Les, David, where at least some of their state tion to the Team Based the soaring tem- Pete, Mike, Daniel, and Hulices DESERT SURVIVORS is a taxes go. Model of services. peratures they have coach our work crews through unique human service agen- I hope to see everyone at the For those of you who had to endure. The very productive days. cy founded in 1981 in and members plant sale on Septem- read the spring news nursery looks great for the Tucson community. In the Native Plant Nursery, ber 28th, or Tuesday through letter, you may remember that the Team as a result of all that hard work. And, in Desert Survivors is a nonprof- Jim’s crew is comprised of Kelly, Fall Plant Sale 2013 Saturday the following week. We Based Model of services is considered one 2013, for the first time in many years we it organization combining the Jason, Nate, and Janine. They are so very appreciative of our of the “best practices” for families. It gives had a summer program. One young man appreciation and preserva- raise and nurture four acres of members, who clearly understand each family access to a team of profession- who is still in high school, but looking for General Public tion of the Sonoran Desert the native flora Desert Survi- and support the mission of Desert als while having one person assigned as the employment after graduation, joined our with innovative and effective vors is famous for. Gerardo is October 1, Tuesday through Survivors. See you at the sale. team leader to be the main point of contact team this summer. He worked with us for services to enhance the lives our Jack-of-all-trades and he Saturday, 8am - 5pm for the family. We have two Developmental eight weeks and we really enjoyed having of people with disabilities. repairs, maintains, or builds Richard M. Bechtold Specialists who are working under this model him. Next year we hope to open up this everything the agency has or 10% off everything Executive Director through a sub-contract with Easter Seals opportunity to more high school students needs. Blake Foundation. It has been a process preparing for their future. continued on page 3 design: Linda M. Brewer/Bailiwik, Ink; Featured Plants Spring 2013 of ours have shared that this plant Bothriochloa laguroides lemmonii wards off mosquitos, which is not sur- subsp. torreyana prising as it smells similar to citronella. Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. (mountain marigold) (Silver beardgrass) (California firebarrel) Most of us are familiar with this com- This small bunchgrass is native to Santa tortulispinus var. This distinctive firebarrel cactus, which is monly cultivated native plant in the Ruellia nudiflora Cruz, Cochise, and extreme southeast- (violet wild petunia) native to Baja California and San Diego sunflower family (), or are glabrata ern Pima Counties in Arizona, and its County, California, is not commonly found we? It always seemed odd to me that Although we have sold plants under range stretches into New Mexico and in nurseries. Although some sources do the small plants seen at higher eleva- the name for years, we are beyond. It is similar in appearance to not recognize this variety (e.g. Flora of tions in southern Arizona would turn into pleased to finally have our local form the commonly seen cane beardgrass North America), in appearance it is a very such large shrubs in the Tucson valley of the plant, variety glabrata. Some (B. barbinodis), but differs in its smaller different plant from the typical F. cylindra- and then appear highly frost sensitive sources place R. nudiflora var. gla- violet wild petunia bloom (close up) size and its smaller seedhead. The foli- ceus. Subspecies tortulispinus is a much during cold winters. In fact, we learned brata under R. nudiflora var. nudi- age of these plants also take on a silver smaller plant, often reaching just two to that these plants in yards in Oracle or flora. At this point, we are not sure of to pink appearance in the fall. Silver California firebarrel three feet tall, as opposed to the four Sierra Vista would typically die during the variety of the plants that we have beardgrass does not seem to spread as to six foot tall F. cylindraceus and it has the winter. Unfortunately, in turns out been selling, but believe that they aggressively as its larger cousin does. longer (incredibly long), more twisted, and most nurseries selling this plant (includ- are from Mexico. A good key to this Typically around August, seedheads redder spines. The gets a little ing us) were actually selling the Sonoran species has been extremely difficult begin to form small clusters of whitish bit squirrely with this plant as it was once mountain marigold (Tagetes palmeri), a to find up to this point, but we’ll keep seeds at the tips of the culms (or stems). considered part of Ferocactus acantho- happenstance perpetuated by wholesale looking. The variety of our local form As is the case with many grasses, the des, but has since been lumped into F. growers offering plants under the wrong has leaves that are glabrous (without seeds are eaten by various birds and cylindraceus. A slow-growing cactus, scientific name. We apologize for the er- hairs). Another distinguishing char- rodents, and the plants provide good California firebarrel can thrive in full sun, ror, but are glad to finally set the record acteristic is that it has narrower and habitat for lizards. This bunchgrass is but appreciates good drainage. Yellow straight and answer these questions longer leaves. But it does has attrac- violet wild petunia foliage typically about two to sometimes three flowers bloom in late spring to summer. about this lovable, stinky plant. tive purple flowers. Violet wild petunia feet tall and wide, and it makes a great Several of these planted in a landscape Our local mountain marigold does is native to the Tucson Mountains accent plant to accompany several mountain marigold bloom would be striking. not get quite as large as the Sonoran and into Santa Cruz County, typically other smaller herbaceous plants, like mountain marigold, but is much more found between 2,000 and 4,000 feet the delicate Pringle dalea (Dalea prin- elevation. This perennial subshrub is glei), or blackfoot daisies (Melampodi- Cylindropuntia leptocaulis cold hardy. In addition to its smaller (Christmas cholla) size, Tagetes lemmonii is also very easily in the Acanthus family (Acanthaceae) um leucanthum), or Mexican skullcap and is therefore a specialized larval (Scutellaria potosina). This seasonal classic is one of southern distinguished from its Sonoran cousin host for several species of butterflies, Arizona’s smallest chollas. It gets its name by the distinctive series of glands found Jim Verrier including the common buckeye (Ju- from the fact that it always has attractive around the margins on the upper por- Director of Plant Nursery nonia coenia), and the Texas crescent red fruits clinging to its joints during the tions of the leaves. Our native plant Photos by Jim Verrier unless otherwise noted (Anthanassa texana). silver beardgrass inflorescence with seeds winter holiday season. Christmas cholla is often erroneously called the “Mount is native to the Tucson basin, and can Lemmon marigold,” for a variety of rea- be found between 2,000 and 5,000 feet sons. It does grow on Mount Lemmon, mountain marigold leaves showing glands elevation. This cactus typically does not and the leaves happen to smell like get much bigger than three or four feet in lemons. The original herbarium plant height and width. The slender joints are specimen of this species was collected Program Services, cont. from page 4 by John Lemmon from the Huachuca compemented by long, attractive white We are happy to report two very special additions to our Program Services team. I have a new Office Manager, Mireya, who actu- Mountains. In the wild, T. lemmonii is spines. Greenish-yellow flowers form ally provides support for both our program services and our business operations. Mireya worked with families in Children’s Ser- found between 5,000 and 8,000 feet anytime between March and August, and vices for about six years. When we transitioned to the Team Based Model, she took on her new role as Office Manager. She has throughout the sky islands of southern sometimes blooms can appear in October been a tremendous support to all of us and we are so grateful to have her. We also have an amazing new maintenance person Arizona. In cultivation, this plant thrives as well. The blooms are relished by our who has helped with repairs. Gerardo is a very welcome and much needed addition to our team, and we are very grateful to him with partial shade, but can easily be native cactus bees, typically Diadasia sp., for his good work. Not only is he repairing ramps and buildings for Program Services, he is also helping Jim in the Plant Nursery. which are ground-nesting bees. This small grown in the sun if given additional wa- We have many friends and supporters, including all of you who make Desert Survivors the amazing place it is. I would certainly be cactus would be nice tucked somewhere ter. Mountain marigold requires moder- remiss if I didn’t also reiterate our appreciation of The Stonewall Foundation. Thanks to The Stonewall Foundation’s support, five along the perimeter of your yard, safely ate watering. Plant it near pathways if people who would have lost their jobs due to funding cuts over the last few years are still working here. A BIG thank you, from all away from pathways or frequent travel. Christmas cholla fruit and stems you want to smell it when you walk by, provided you like the odor. Customers of us to all of you, for your continued support. See you at the sale. Birds and rodents eat the fruits. Karen Wilson Director of Program Services

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