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. We meet in Room S215. 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.
January 9, 2025, at 7:00 pm. Wendy Hodgson from the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix will talk about “Yuccas and their Moths.”
JOIN OUR CHAPTER E-LIST
Join Our Chapter E-list: If you would like to receive 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
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 !
