The Tucson chapter holds meetings between September and May each year, with a summer break. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. We are now having “hybrid” meetings, both in person and also aired on Zoom. The live meetings will be in Room S107 of the ENR2 (Environment and Natural Resources 2) building at the University of Arizona, located on 6th street near Park. If you are not on our mailing list and wish to attend one of our meetings on Zoom, email us at [email protected]to request the Zoom link. Videos of past meetings can be found on our YouTube channel.
Tucson Chapter Meeting May 11, 2023
Islands of the Sea of Cortés:
Plant Dispersal Corridors
Presented by Alberto Búrquez
UNAM, Sonoran Field Station, Hermosillo
Thursday, May 11, 2023
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7:00 pm at the University of Arizona ENR2, room S210. Also on zoom.
Alberto Burquez and some Baja giants: Cardon and Boojum
The Sea of Cortés and its islands
About the program: Alberto will provide us with a brief discussion of the genesis of the Sea of Cortés, the ocean basin that separates mainland Mexico from the Baja Peninsula. He will focus particularly on its geology, especially the tectonic separation of the peninsula. He will then discuss the ecological and evolutionary processes of biotic isolation and colonization of the Midriff Islands, processes leading to the unique plant and animal assemblages found on these islands.
Alberto Búrquez Montijo, UNAM Ecologist
About our speaker:
Alberto Búrquez is a senior faculty member at the Sonoran Field Station of the Instituto de Ecología, Department of Ecology of Biodiversity, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He is a prolific researcher, and his research interests encompass ecology, evolutionary biology and ethnoecology. He is a co-author of several books and dozens of academic papers. Alberto’s most recent books are The Saguaro Cactus: A Natural History (by David Yetman, Alberto Búrquez, Kevin Hultine and Michael Sanderson) and Mexico’s Valleys of Cuicatlán and Teluacán, by David Yetman and Alberto Búrquez. He has published widely on the ecology and genetics of columnar cacti, patterns in plant distribution as a function of physiology, pollination biology, vegetational patterns in Sonoran ecosystems, impacts of habitat loss and climate change on Sonoran ecosystems, conservation, invasive species, and the culture and ethnobotany of Mexican habitats, from Sonora to Oaxaca. He collaborates widely across the international border, advises students, and fosters international understanding. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Tucson Audubon Society and the Northern Jaguar Project. among many other interests.
A drone photo of one of the islands in the Sea of Cortés
JOIN OUR CHAPTER E-LIST
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 the Tucson Chapter email 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 Amy for available times/days and details. Plant salvage at Cortaro Farms from Camino Del Oeste to Thornydate prior to road improvement project.
Chapter News
October field trip at the Amerind Foundation in Texas Canyon
Posted on Nov 03, 2021
Twenty avid plant seekers assembled at the Amerind Foundation, in Dragoon, AZ, on October 16 to enjoy a beautiful autumn morning and indulge in wonderful views of native plants and rock formations. We found lots of fall yellow members of the Asteraceae (fondly known as DYCs, or “damn yellow composites”), as well as many other interesting species. Our best finds were a wonderful finger-leaf gourd, Cucurbita digitata, draped over a large boulder, and the vegetative stems of Asclepia nummularia, tufted milkweed, looking like a couple of stray cabbage plants in the midst of the grasslands.
A great time was had by all.
Sara Plummer Lemmon – for whom Mount Lemmon is named – is finally getting her due!
Posted on Nov 03, 2021
On November 1, 2021, Wynne Brown’s new book The Forgotten Botanist: Sara Plummer Lemmon’s Life of Science and Art, was officially released by the University of Nebraska Press. Some of you may remember Wynne’s wonderful presentation to the Tucson chapter of AZNPS about 3 years ago, back when we were still meeting at Ward 6 offices. After 6 years of Wynne’s energy, effort, and dedication, her account of one of Arizona’s remarkable women is now available for your reading pleasure.
Here is a link to an AZPM story about Wynne and her research, from 2019.
Tucson Chapter PICNIC and PLANT RAMBLE! Saturday, September 11 at 11:00 am
Posted on Sep 02, 2021
After a long period of virtual-only meetings, let’s have an outdoor get-together! Join us on Saturday, September 11, 2021, for a “bring your own everything” picnic and plant ramble at 11:00 am at the Molino Basin Campground and picnic area about 6 miles up on the Catalina Highway in the Coronado National Forest. We can meet and chat in the relative safety of the outdoors, and after lunch, several members will lead short plant walks in the vicinity.
In the spirit of COVID, we will provide exactly NOTHING. You will need to bring your own lunch, beverage, and chair or stool or blanket. Bring a hat, water, sunglasses and sunscreen, and anything else you will need. Depending on the size of the group, we may cluster around a picnic table or two, or we may just gather near the parking lot. But for those of us who are vaccinated and feel comfortable with such a gathering, we hope to see you there. We are especially looking forward to meeting any new members of our chapter who have not yet been able to attend any events in person! However, please be prepared to practice social distancing and wear a mask.
