Arkansas Native Plant Society

May 4-6 ANPS Spring 2012 Meeting at Crowley’s Ridge in Jonesboro

Martha — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:07:42 +0000

ANPS SPRING 2012 MEETING

May 4-6, 2012

Crowley’s Ridge – Jonesboro, Arkansas

FRIDAY EVENING, May 4, Arkansas State University Student Union, Spring River Room (Parking in North Parking Deck most convenient)

Registration 4-7 p.m.

Pot luck snacks 4-7 p.m.—Drinks will be provided through ASU Dining Services, however, ANPS members are encouraged to bring snacks and munchies to share.

Program, 7 p.m.: Presentation by Larry Lowman, “Flora and Geologic Origin of Crowley’s Ridge”

SATURDAY and SUNDAY FIELD TRIPS, May 5 & 6

Morning and afternoon field trips will take place at Crowley’s Ridge State Park and at one or two additional destinations. Locations, directions, times, and field trip leaders will be announced Friday evening. You can also contact Eric Sundell (870-723-1089) for field trip information.

SATURDAY EVENING, May 5, Arkansas State University Student Union, Spring River Room (Parking in North Parking Deck most convenient)

Registration 4-7 p.m.

Pot luck snacks 4-7 p.m.

Program, 7:00 p.m.: Presentation by Travis Marsico, “Plant Defenses against Insect Herbivores”

Business Meeting to follow presentation

LODGING for Spring Meeting

ANPS has reserved a block of 30 rooms at a reduced rate at Comfort Suites in Jonesboro. Room charges, including hot breakfast, will be $75 + tax for a King or $80 + tax for two Queens. (Don’t worry—all ANPS members, whether nobility, gentry, or yeomanry, get the same rates.) The motel is located near the junction of US Highways 63 & 49, just south of the ASU campus. Thirty rooms are guaranteed to ANPS at reduced rate through April 23, 2012, however, if rooms are available after that date, we will still be extended the reduced rate.

Comfort Suites
3404 Access Road
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-336-2280

Membership information is available here.

June 2, 2012, Field trips to Mt Magazine, Brown Springs and Vogelpohl’s Place

Martha — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:04:39 +0000

June 2, 2012 Field trip to Mt Magazine, led by Lori Spencer (author of Arkansas Butterflies and Moths), Eric Sundell, and Sid Vogelpohl.

Participants should gather at the Mt. Magazine state park Visitors’ Center at 10 a.m. for a two hour morning walk. Bring a sack lunch or dine at the lodge.

After lunch, Eric and Sid will lead a second trip to the intriguing, Arkansas-endemic Maple-Leaf Oaks near Brown Springs.

Folks leaving the mountain via Paris are welcome to make a stop at the Vogelpohls’ place and score yet a third field trip, thus completing a rare one-day botanical hat trick.

Field trips of the Arkansas Native Plant Society are for members. Botanists from around the state lead these educational walks. While on the trails, participants may ask questions, take photographs, and learn about the ecology of the area.

Membership information is available here.

April 28 and May 12, 2012, Field trip to Vogelpohl’s Place in Paris

Martha — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:01:16 +0000

Sid & Jeanette Vogelpohl’s 50-acre place, just south of Paris (Logan County), is criss-crossed by trails. The house site is surrounded by native plants (plus non-native favorites) and provides a nice view of Mt Magazine. The hike will be from the top of Pine Ridge (post oak/hickory/lip fern) down sandstone ledges, cliffs and talus slopes to Short Mountain Creek (maples/birch/royal fern) 200 feet below. A great variety of habitats ranging from rocky glades to wetlands. Flowers that may be blooming include fire pink, western daisy, rock geranium, crested iris, yellow pimpernel, Solomon’s seal, golden Alexanders, beard tongue, goat’s rue and St. John’s-wort.

Whereas previous hikes at the Vogelpohl’s have largely stayed off steeper slopes, this hike will follow trails along steep slopes (short segments suitable for mountain goats) so should be considered strenuous. (Those who do not care for a strenuous hike may stay near the house.) Bring a picnic lunch to carry with you. Please contact the Vogelpohl’s the week before to allow for a “head-count” and for directions. House location: 2480 South Hwy 309; turn east one mile south of Paris Square and follow Hwy 309 for two miles to address. Time: 9:45 AM with no set end time. Home phone: 479-963-1528. svog1@centurytel.net

Membership information is available here.

April 14, 2012, Spring Field Trip to East Cadron Creek in Greenbrier

Martha — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:58:19 +0000

Margaret and Tom Beasley will host a field trip on East Cadron Creek near their home in Greenbrier. What we might see: Dutchman’s pipe, trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, bloodroot, spiderwort, green dragon, azaleas, violets of all colors, crested iris, ferns, Solomon’s seal—just for starters. This has motivated Tom to limb and clean up our paths!! We will have some ground transportation so we don’t have to walk too far.

Time: 1 pm

Directions: Exit 126 off I-40, North on 65 to Greenbrier. At the 3rd light in Greenbrier (American Drug on the R), turn Right onto 225. Go 8.6 miles to Happy Valley Road and take a Right. Go 2.2 miles on Happy Valley Road (always staying left). At this point there is a dirt road straight ahead with a street marker for Beasley Road. Go down Beasley road, thru the gate and take a Right immediately. Can’t miss us!

Membership information is available here.

May 14-17, 2012, Southeastern Prairie Symposium in Starkville, Mississippi

Martha — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:13:15 +0000

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi State University, and Wildlife Mississippi will host a symposium on prairie habitats May 14-17, 2012, in Starkville, Mississippi.

The symposium is planned for natural resources professionals and scientists in the southern United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas) who are involved in the ecology, management, and restoration of prairie habitats.

Invited speakers will address prairie remnants, conservation, and working grasslands. Scientists and resource professionals will deliver submitted papers on advances in prairie restoration and enhancement. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion on needs and approaches to guide future prairie restoration and enhancement efforts.

An edited volume based on symposium presentations will be produced. Additionally, a technical manual focusing on effective regional prairie restoration techniques, lessons learned, and future needs may be produced.

More information about the symposium is available here.

May 19, 2012, Field Trip to South Fork Nature Center

Martha — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:09:12 +0000

Join Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission botanist Brent Baker May 19, 2012, at 10 a.m. for a plant walk along the newly established trails at South Fork Nature Center, situated on a peninsula of Greers Ferry Lake at the confluence of the South Fork of the Little Red River in east-central Van Buren County.

After a tour of the Riddle Cabin, a century-old log cabin relocated to the site and which was the birth home of folklorist Almeda Riddle, you will be able stroll along a trail system through many of the different habitats on the property. The trails wind through glades and spring runs; atop sandstone bluffs; through oak-hickory, pine-hardwood forest, and pine forest; near an upland depression wetland; and to a bedrock-bottom stream that flows into the lake via a seasonal waterfall. Several portions of the trail system offer wonderful views of the lake.

Directions: From the junction of U.S. Highway 65 and AR State Highways 9 and 330 in Choctaw, south of Clinton, travel approximately 3.7 miles east on AR State Highway 330 toward Greers Ferry Lake to Klondike Road. Turn left (north) on Klondike Road and travel approximately 1 mile to a point where Klondike Road turns sharply to the right (east). Instead of following to the right, continue straight north (this is Bachelor Road, but sign may not be present) and travel one-half mile down into a stream valley, over a small bridge, and then up to the top of the hill to the black iron gate on the right. Turn right and travel approximately one-quarter mile through the gate, past two homes on the left, to the first dirt road on the left. Take the left turn and travel about 0.15 mile to the log cabin.

For a map or more information about South Fork Nature Center, visit www.southforknaturecenter.org. On the website, you can also check out a list (by clicking on the “Reports” tab) of the plants documented from South Fork property, as well as descriptions of the habitats present on the site.

Join Baker for the morning only or bring a lunch and continue the walk during the afternoon. For more information, contact him at 479.970.9143 or brent@arkansasheritage.org.

Membership information is available here.

May 4-6, 2012, Spring Meeting in Jonesboro

Martha — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:04:20 +0000

The Arkansas Native Plant Society will hold its annual spring meeting May 4-6 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Hotel reservations at special rates for members of the Arkansas Native Plant Society are available at Comfort Suites, 3404 Access Rd., Jonesboro, through April 23. The rates are $75 plus tax for rooms with a king-size bed and $80 plus tax for rooms with two queen-size beds. These rates include a hot breakfast buffet. Call 1-870-336-2280 and mention the confirmation number for the ANPS block of rooms (717286).

Evening sessions will be in the Spring River Room of the Arkansas State University Student Union. Larry Lowman, the well-known horticulturalist and nurseryman in northeastern Arkansas, will be the keynote speaker. More details about the meeting will be available later.

April 21, 2012, Field Trip to Meadow Creek

Martha — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:02:02 +0000

Mike Oglesby and Lee Cowan invite the members of the Arkansas Native Plant Society to visit Meadow Creek Vineyard in southwestern Stone County.

At the confluence of Meadow Creek and the Middle Fork of the Little Red River in the Boston Mountains, the vineyard is on a terrace of Meadow Creek, overlooked by steep sandstone bluffs. Spring wildflowers abound on the terraces of Meadow Creek and the Middle Fork as well as the rich lower slopes of the adjacent mountains. Hikers may also get to visit properties of a few of Mike and Lee’s neighbors, including Meadowcreek, Inc., 1,600 acres devoted to sustainable education, recreation and wildlife preservation.

This hike may vary from easy to moderately difficult depending on the interest of the group. It will also be partly “off-trail” so wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Insect repellant also is advisable. Bring a lunch and plenty of water.

Please register for this trip by April 16 by contacting Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission botanist Brent Baker (trip leader) at 479.970.9143 or brent@arkansasheritage.org. Complete directions will be provided after registration. There will be a designated meeting area in a nearby town and then a caravan to Meadow Creek.

This trip is dependent on the weather because streams in the area are subject to flash flooding and low-water bridges are not passable at times of high water.

Membership information is available here.

March 31, 2012, Field Trip to Cove Creek Natural Area

Martha — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:55:05 +0000

Suffering severe, winter-induced cabin fever? Then join Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission botanist Brent Baker March 31, 2012, 9:30 a.m., for a refreshing early spring plant walk along the newly established trails at Cove Creek Natural Area in northwestern Faulkner County.

You will be able to stroll through extensive cedar glades to a steep sandstone bluff overlooking Cove Creek just above its confluence with Cadron Creek. Here you will see the rare Ozark spring-beauty (Claytonia ozarkensis), first described in 2006, blooming among the cracks and crevices of the bluff.

Hikers will then follow the trail south along the creek, enjoying several additional overlook spurs along the way, to a rich riparian forest where many wildflowers will be breaking winter dormancy.

Directions: From the junction of AR State Highways 25 and 285 in Wooster (north of Conway), travel north on AR State Highway 285 approximately 6.2 miles to intersection with Mallet Town Road. Turn left (west) onto Mallet Town Road and travel approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right (north) onto Town Circle Road. Go approximately 0.35 mile to JD Road and turn right (east). Follow JD Road straight to the Natural Area parking at end of road (about 0.25 mile). (For map and more information about Cove Creek Natural Area, visit www.naturalheritage.com. Click on the “Natural Areas” tab at the top of the page and then on “Find a Natural Area.”)

The trail is about 1.5 mile, easy and the walk will conclude around lunchtime. For questions, please contact Baker at 479.970.9143 or brent@arkansasheritage.org.

Membership information is available here.

Waterfowl Share Wetland with Cast-off Junk and Invasive Species

Martha — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:36:12 +0000

NOV. 22, 2011 | “A tire in the woods,” wetland scientist Kevin Mullenax joked last month, “is an indicator of a wetland.”

Mullenax led a tour of the White Oak Bayou management area in Maumelle, Arkansas, for members of the Arkansas Native Plant Society and other local groups October 15.

He briefed the visitors on how three local governments – Maumelle, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County – are collaborating on a plan to manage the wetland to protect habitat and water quality while allowing sustainable development and providing opportunities for informal education and recreation. Members of the Central Arkansas Master Naturalists and Maumelle Citizens Association also took Mullenax’s tour.

Mullenax pointed out common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and species of hibiscus (Hibiscus), smartweed (Persicaria), barnyard grass (Echinochloa), and camphor weed (Pluchea). He mentioned that the bayou is habitat for the endangered wood stork (Mycteria americana) and warned the visitors to carefully avoid the thorns of hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata), a non-native shrub or small tree that has escaped cultivation across the South.

The Arkansas Native Plant Society often participates in field trips like this tour of White Oak Bayou. For information about upcoming activities, become a friend of the society on Facebook.

A discarded tire in the White Oak Bayou wetland in Maumelle, Arkansas (Photo by Martha Bowden)

The City of Maumelle is collaborating with other local governments to manage the White Oak Bayou. (Photo by Martha Bowden)

Hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata) (Photo by Martha Bowden)

A cypress (Taxodium distichum var. distichum) in the White Oak Bayou wetland in Maumelle, Arkansas. (Photo by Martha Bowden)