Our chapter holds meetings between September and May each year, with a summer break. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our meetings in 2020-2021 will be conducted via Zoom. We will continue to meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. The meeting zoom will open at 6:45 pm to allow us to interact socially before the speaker begins. Mailing list members will receive a Zoom link the Monday before the meeting. If you are not on our mailing list and wish to attend one of our meetings on Zoom, email us at NativePlantsTucson@gmail.com to request the Zoom link. Videos of past meetings can be found on our YouTube channel.
Tucson Chapter Meeting
Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Drought in Arizona: Observations, Impacts, and Projections
Presented by
Dr. Michael Crimmins
Tanque Verde Creek, Pima County, AZ in 2021.
Arizona has experienced dramatic hydroclimatic variability over the past several years with back-to-back record warm and dry summers and an intervening winter season with near average precipitation in 2020. The winter and spring seasons of 2021 are also shaping up to be drier and warmer than average helping to intensify short-term drought conditions across the state. At the same time, longer-term drought conditions dating back to the mid-90’s continue to impact water resources across the region.
Romero Pools, Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Coronado National Forest. February 2020.
What is the difference between short and long-term drought and its impact on different resources? Is this type of shorter-term climate variability normal for Arizona or a harbinger of things to come? Will the current long-term drought end? This presentation will explore the unique aspects of Arizona’s hydroclimate that control precipitation variability at both short and long timescales as well as how increasing temperatures relate to drought conditions. We will also explore climate model projections for Arizona and what they mean in terms of potential changes in temperatures and precipitation patterns in coming decades.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:
Michael Crimmins, Profesesor of Environmental Science, U of Arizona.
Dr. Michael Crimmins is on the faculty of the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona and is an Extension Specialist in Climate Science for Arizona Cooperative Extension. He has been in this role for 15 years working with ranchers, farmers and natural resource managers across Arizona to integrate climate information in their planning and decision making and assisting them in developing strategies to adapt to a changing climate. He also serves as a drought monitoring expert on the Arizona Governor’s Drought Task Force.
The zoom link for the meeting will be sent to the eblast mailing list on Monday, May 10, 2021. The meeting will open at 6:45 pm to allow socializing before our speaker begins.
For a list of credits and links to information about Botanical Art and Illustration, click HERE!
Recipes from December’s Deserts Libations Program – CLICK HERE.
Join Our Chapter E-list: If you would like to receive reminders and announcements about field trips and meetings via e-mail, send a note to Lyn Loveless to be added to the list. Stay informed by joining us on Facebook.
Usually the most up-to-date information about upcoming chapter events can be found on our Facebook page.
Caring for agave and baby cacti? Consider volunteer opportunities at the Pima County Native Plant Nursery! Located at 5845 N. Camino de la Tierra, the Pima County Native Plant Nursery grows native plants for public projects and is looking for volunteers to help with weeding, watering and propagation. The nursery is open Monday to Friday 7:00am to 3:30 pm. Email Andrew.Hatch@pima.gov for available times/days and details. Plant salvage at Cortaro Farms from Camino Del Oeste to Thornydate prior to road improvement project.
Chapter News
Frank Rose “Retires”
Posted on Aug 03, 2019
The plant walk in the Catalinas on Thursday, August 1, was a little different. Frank Rose, the long-time leader has decided to slow down, and to a lot of his friends and followers that means this was the last plant walk he will lead as a “regular”. It was a cloudy and cool day, and botanizers saw a nice variety of blooms, including Thalictrum fendleri and Salvia arizonica. Lots of great food was eaten afterward.
Frank has been a singularly powerful advocate for native plants. Arizona Native Plant Society, his friends, his fans, and his followers have all been extremely grateful for his powerful leadership in putting nature’s bounty at the forefront of our lives.
Frank, may all your future plant walks be as sweet.
Sabino Springs Homeowners Association: Walking the Walk on Invasive Grasses
Posted on Jul 27, 2019
The Conservation Task Force of the Sabino Springs HOA began consulting with Arizona National Golf Club in 2016 to determine the best ways to manage the invasive plants in their community and throughout the Golf Course. When the Sabino Springs HOA signed a lease to operate the Golf Course mid-2018, Dr. John Scheuring, Conservation Director of Arizona Native Plant Society, toured the course with Golf Course Superintendent Rick Darby to consult and advise an action plan to start control and eradication of a rapidly growing populations of buffelgrass and fountain grass. With all the needed Course improvements the recommended plan exceeded the scope of work that had already been scheduled on the Golf Course. The results are a textbook example of how to manage buffelgrass and fountain grass. Dr. Scheuring toured the Course again in June 2019 and was thoroughly pleased with the results of progress made by the Golf Course Maintenance Staff’s dedicated efforts. He noted “The results will become a best practice example to other Golf Courses and park areas throughout the Tucson Metropolitan area”.
Rick Darby, Superintendent of Arizona National Golf Course
Agave chrysantha field trip, July 6
Posted on Jul 07, 2019
Thanks to Lyn’s eBlast announcement there were 12 people attending this twice-delayed tour, including two people from Phoenix !
There were only two stops : the limestone slope, loaded with Agave chrysantha, Tecoma, Calliandra, and Ocotillo; and Peppersauce Canyon campground, loaded with an impressive diversity of Arizona native trees and good examples of Ailanthus as well.
It turned out to be a huge learning experience for all and we were back in town by noon !
