The Gila chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico will hold a meeting in Silver City on March 18, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at WNMU's Harlan Hall, second floor, with a talk on the topic, "Adventures of a New Mexico Rare Plant Botanist." The meeting is free and open to the public. Refreshments following the program.
Field Botanist Jim McGrath will describe his involvement with New Mexico rare plants over the past 15 years. Jim's story begins with a description of the strategies, problems and successes in performing rare plant clearance surveys in the oil and gas fields of northwest New Mexico. Jim expanded his association with rare plants by developing rare plant workshops with follow-up field trips. These field trips allowed Jim to learn the rare plants of the Sacramento and White Mountains of central New Mexico and the gyp soils of the White Mesa area near Albuquerque. Jim's years as NPSNM conservation chair gave Jim the opportunity to learn the rare plants of the Blue Hole Cienega Nature Preserve at Santa Rosa. The workshops and field trips allowed Jim to share his knowledge with others.
The Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promote education, research and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest, to encourage the preservation of rare and endangered plant species and to support the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. For information on programs, publications and membership, please visit www.gilanps.org.