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 hold “hybrid” meetings, where we meet both in person and also on Zoom. The live meetings will be in the ENR2 (Environment and Natural Resources 2) building at the University of Arizona, located on 6th street near Park. Parking is available in the 6th St parking garage adjacent to ENR2. A credit card is required to pay for garage parking. 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 November 9, 2023
The Natural History of Pollination
in the Desert Southwest (and Beyond)
Presented by Dr. Judith Bronstein
The University of Arizona
Thursday, November 9, 2023
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7:00 pm at the University of Arizona ENR2, Room S215. Also on zoom.
For the zoom link, email nativeplantstucson@gmail.com
A Honeybee visiting flowers of manzanita at Gordon Hirabayashi campground in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Arizona.
All organisms reproduce — and among organisms, plants reproduce in the most diverse ways. In some plant species, all individuals are the same sex; other plants have two sexes, yet others three or four. Reproduction takes place via flowers that range from the size of a pinhead to the size of a teenager. Some plants make flowers, but then fertilize only themselves. Most, however, require pollen to be moved between flowers, a feat accomplished by wind, water, and animals ranging from insects and fish to birds and mammals.
A halictine bee gathers pollen from anthers of a small Gilia flower.
Studies of pollination are revealing how interactions among species weave ecosystems together. However, human-caused environmental change is threatening pollination, leading to impacts ranging from biodiversity loss to the loss of our food supply. In this talk, I’ll introduce the weird and wonderful world of pollination by highlighting the natural history of some of our iconic native plants, from the Sonoran Desert to the top of Mount Lemmon. I’ll also discuss actions we can take to help secure the future of pollination.
The hawkmoth Hyles lineata pollinating Ipomopsis longiflora in the San Simon valley
A Carpenter bee (Xylocopa) and a beetle visiting Dalea albiflora near Dragoon, AZ
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird visiting Erythrina flabelliforis in Horseshoe Canyon, AZ
About our speaker:
Dr Judith Bronstein
Judith Bronstein is University Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of Arizona. Her research focuses on the biology of mutualism — mutually beneficial interactions between species. Over the course of her career, she has studied the ecology, evolution and conservation of pollination in habitats ranging from the Sonoran Desert to the Rocky Mountains to Central American cloud forests.
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.
This summer there will be several conservation related volunteer activities to support our ongoing native plant restoration efforts on the Waterman Restoration Site and A-Mountain. If you are interested in participating please contact for details : aznpsconservation@yahoo.com
Foothill Palo Verde Pod Harvesting along west Avra Valley road. Seed from this harvest will be planted at the Waterman Restoration and on A-Mountain. Volunteers will clear (lop) undergrowth to make room for harvest, catch seed pods with tarps, and whack trees to harvest the pods.
Date and Time : 7am on Saturday 1 July
Meeting Location : Intersection of Avra Valley and Pump Station Roads (1st cattle guard)
Wear : sturdy boots, long sleeved plants and shirt, and bring work gloves
Baby Saguaro transplanting on the Waterman Restoration Site. Volunteers will meet at the Waterman Restoration Site to dig holes, pre-water, and transplant baby saguaros gifted to AZNPS by the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society.
Date and Time : 7am on Saturday 1 July
Meeting Location : Waterman Restoration Site. 19 Miles from I-10 on Avra Valley Rd, then turn left at the new Holcim sign and drive straight for 1 mile, bearing left.
Wear : sturdy boots, long sleeved plants and shirt, and bring work gloves
This summer the UA Special collections Gallery is running a show titled: “Inspired by Plants: the Art and Science of the UA Campus Floregium”
This show features illustrations of the plants in the Joseph Wood Krutch Garden at the University. The exhibit runs until August 3. Click the link below for more details
Late Summer in the Chiricahua Mountains September 16, 17, and 18, 2023
Southwestern Research Station, Portal, Cochise County
The Cochise and Tucson Chapters of the Arizona Native Plant Society are again sponsoring a long weekend in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Cochise County. These richly diverse mountains are one the northern-most islands in the Madrean Archipelago that encompasses parts of Arizona, New Mexico , Sonora, and Chihuahua. Come enjoy this weekend with us. Whatever the weather, there will be botanical treats and great company.
Tentative Schedule: Day 1: Arrive mid to late afternoon, check in, eat supper and head for the education center for some plant talks and discussion.
Day 2: An all-day field trip to a location to be determined. Or alternatively, stay nearer SWRS and attend one or both of two shorter field trips. Happy Hour at the pool before dinner. Evening program in the station’s education center consisting of a plant ID workshop for plants encountered during the field trips.
Day 3: A morning field trip, lunch, and then depart.
Registration: Accommodations, including meals, will be provided by the Southwestern Research Station.
PLEASE CONTACT DOUG RIPLEY (jdougripley@gmail.com) FOR THE REGISTRATION FORM.
