Welcome to the Gila (Silver City) Chapter

The Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promoting education, research, and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest; encouraging the preservation of rare and endangered plant species; and supporting the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. We hope that you will find our website a favorite resource to help you enjoy the beauty and value of the native flora here.

Meetings are third Fridays October-May at 7 p.m. in WNMU’s Harlan Hall, Room 219, with refreshments following the program.

All programs are free and open to the public. The Gila chapter conducts field trips on the third Sunday of each month from April to September. Each field trip will be to a different location in order to explore the diversity of our native plants. Field trips are free and open to the public. Meet at 8:00 am in the south parking lot of the WNMU Fine Arts Center Theatre for carpooling.

 

Photo: Silver City Botanical Garden by Elroy Limmer

Calendar notice for Gila Native Plant Society field trip on Sunday July 21, 2019

The Gila Native Plant Society continues its program of monthly field trips with a visit to the Pinos Altos Range. Our field trip leader, Hanna Blood, will lead the group up a spur off Signal Peak Road. The dirt track travels up an incline through the Ponderosa and Gamble Oak forest (the way back is downhill) to a cold sink where we will find a meadow filled with Rocky Mountain Iris (Iris missouriensis), and where New Mexico Checker Mallow (Sidalcea neomexicana) and Stiff Blue-Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium demissium) are growing side by side. If we get lucky St. John’s Wort (Hypericum scouleri) may make an appearance. For those who are new to the native plants of our area, or just new to botany, during the outing Don Groves and Jane Spinti will provide an introduction to some of the basic aspects of plant identification.

Meet at 8 AM in the south parking lot of the WNMU Fine Arts Center Theatre for carpooling. All are welcome; GNPS field trips are free and open to the public. The hike is moderate, but temperatures now are hot. Be sure to wear a hat and sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water and perhaps a snack. Please be aware, during the summer months the field trip destination may have to be changed owing to fire or washed-out roads. For further information contact hannablood@gmail.com

Chapter Officers

President: Donald Graves

Vice President: William Norris

Treasurer: Wendy Graves

Secretary: Jane Spinti

Membership: Joan Limmer

Past President: Elroy Limmer

Member Communications: Helen Shoup

Publicity Coordinator: Betty Spence

Field Trip Chair: Hannah Blood

Education Committee Chair: Jeff Boyd

Conservation Chair: to be appointed

State Board Representative: Keller Suberkropp

Newsletter: Helen Shoup

Plant Sale: Keller Suberkropp

Book Sales: Ron Groves

Past President: Ron Groves

Annual Reports

2018 Chapter Report (PDF)

2017 Chapter Report (PDF)

2016 Chapter Report (PDF)

2015 Chapter Report (PDF)

2014 Chapter Report (PDF)

2013 Chapter Report (PDF)

2012 Chapter Report (PDF)

2011 Chapter Report (PDF)

Banner photo by Randal Pair; small inset photos courtesy of the WNMU Dale A. Zimmerman Herbarium.