Volume 20, Number 6 April 2015
the
Phlox Phlyer
Columbia Basin Chapter, Washington Native Plant Society
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P.O. Box 221, Richland, WA 99352
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http://www.wnps.org/cbasin/
MEMBERSHIP NEWS The State is changing to a once a year membership renewal date occurring on June 30th. Members whose renewal date was/is anytime from January 1st to September 30th of 2015 will have a new membership renewal date of June 30th, 2015. Members whose renewal date is between October 1 and December 31, 2015 will have their membership extended to June 30, 2016. Notices will be sent out soon informing members of this change.
Botany Washington – Late Spring in the East Cascades – June 5-7, 2015 Explore the floristic diversity of the East Cascades in Chelan County. Field trips include: taxonomic study, keying with Hitchcock, and East Cascades wildflowers. See State website (http://www.wnps.org/ ) or your Douglasia for registration and field trip information. Deadline to register is May 1.
Study Weekend – Islands in the Sky – August 14-16, 2015 The Koma Kulshan Chapter will host this year’s study weekend in the North Cascades. Registration will start in May. Check the State website (http://www.wnps.org/ ) or your Douglasia for registration and field trip information. NOXIOUS WEED ALERT - Ravenna Grass Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae) has been added as a Class A Noxious weed for 2015 which means eradication is required. This ornamental grass has been found in Benton, Franklin, Yakima, and Chelan counties. At this time it doesn’t appear that nurseries carry the plant for sale in Washington. However, if you see it for sale, please inform the nursery and the noxious weed board (360-7255764; noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov ). Also if you see a suspicious grass on your hikes, use your smart phone to get coordinates and a picture and send to the noxious weed board. Ravenna grass is a tall clumping grass with a basal tuft of leaves and a flowering stalk that can reach heights of 8-12 feet. Leaves and stems are covered with fine hairs that can be irritating, flower heads are pale, feathery plumes. For more information go to: http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/detail.asp?weed=193
Changes to our webpage We are in the process of updating our webpage; for current information go to: http://www.wnps.org/col_basin/index.html . Or to get late breaking news check out our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaBasinWNPS
Chapter Photo contest The focus for our chapter’s annual photo contest is plants growing in lithosols (rocky soils). Whether you’re hiking in the Blue Mountains, the scablands, or the Horse Heaven hills, keep an eye out for plants that prefer those rocky soils. The winner will receive a copy of the 2016 Washington Native Plant Society calendar and your photo entries may be used in future chapter educational displays. Send photos to Mickie Chamness VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Walla Walla and Tri-Cities Isn’t it great to have opportunities to get together with old friends and meet new people while learning new things, sharing your own expertise, and contributing to something that you feel benefits the greater world and community around you? The world will be a
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