August 18, 2019

Greetings, VNPS Members!

The latest Sempervirens is here online! Read more about our upcoming Annual Meeting hosted by the Piedmont Chapter on September 27-29 in Front Royal. Learn about the Bayard's Adders-Mouth Orchid and nitrogen fixation in the roots of Ceanothus, our 2019 Wildflower of the Year. Travel to both Texas Hill Country and the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario as members recount two VNPS field trips. News about new VNPS leadership, native bumblebees slowing down the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a botanical art exhibit, and sumac galls round out other offerings. And my own president's message describes a visit to Capitol Hill on behalf of the "Botany Bill."

Bruce Peninsula Ontario Field Trip Participants

Speaking of the "Botany Bill" (HR 1572, the Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act), it has now been reintroduced in the Senate as well as the House. This bill is meant to be a bipartisan act and there are co-sponsors from both major parties. The VNPS is one of 88 organizations that have endorsed the bill that will promote botanical research and sciences capacity, generate demand for native plant materials, and authorize related federal activities. More information about HR 1572 and ways we can help to advance it can be found on the Botany Bill website here. 

House Natural Resources Committee Hearing on HR 1572, July 18, 2019

2019 Annual Meeting

Learn more about and register for the 2019 Annual Meeting in Front Royal September 27-29.

Nominations Requested

The VNPS is still seeking nominations for the following board positions:

• D-A-L/Grants Administrator: Working with a grant review team of VNPS volunteers (that includes university professors), publicizes, collects, compiles, and reviews applications, and recommends the award of annual VNPS botanical research grants. 
• Membership Chair: Develops strategies to increase and retain memberships. Utilizes the VNPS Neon database reports as applicable to determine trends and recommendations. Works with both the office manager and chapter membership chairs to maintain accurate records and increase membership. (Data entry is performed by the office manager or members themselves.)
• Publications Chair: Provides oversight for Sempervirens, the Wildflower of the Year brochure, and other Society publications. Ensures consistency of publications and coordinates scientific review as applicable.

Stay Informed

Keep up with all the VNPS news and activities through our VNPS Facebook page, website, and blog! Please consider supporting the VNPS Mission by making a tax-deductible donation today.

Nancy

Nancy Vehrs, President

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