From kbilton at gmail.com Mon Dec 4 10:56:37 2023 From: kbilton at gmail.com (Kathy BILTON) Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2023 11:56:37 -0500 Subject: [Botsocwash] Reminder - Potluck tomorrow + MISC. Message-ID: Reminder: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 5 will be the holiday potluck starting at 6pm. The presentation will be at 7pm and will also be accessible via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83189341689?pwd=UEwxR3B4cW4vc0VtSEZIM29MZE5UZz09 Meeting ID: 831 8934 1689 Passcode: 435237 ----------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, December 6 - 7pm - Orchids of the New Jersey Pinelands (and why the Smithsonian is interested) Presented by Bob Sprague https://npsnj.org/event/december-webinar-orchids-of-the-new-jersey-pine-barrens-with-bob-sprague/ Saturday, December 16 10am to noon - Native Plant Production: Collection, Storage, and Propagation https://vnps.org/shenandoah/events/native-plant-production-collection-storage-and-propagation/ A Hungry Beaver is Chomping on the Tidal Basin?s Cherry Trees https://wapo.st/4812QuW Out on a Limb: Two Kensingtons Grew Strong Roots by Branching Out https://wapo.st/3GmRsOt Hedgesville Family Wins 15th Annual Big Tree Contest with Massive Black Walnut https://www.morganmessenger.com/2023/11/28/hedgesville-family-wins-15th-annual-big-tree-contest-with-massive-black-walnut/ The Linden Oak was spared during Metro construction. Now it will be chainsaw art https://www.npr.org/local/305/2023/07/19/1188800684/the-linden-oak-was-spared-during-metro-construction-now-it-will-be-chainsaw-art Centuries-old oak tree gets new life as community bench in Montgomery County https://www.wusa9.com/article/tech/science/environment/centuries-old-oak-tree-preserved-in-montgomery-county/65-90e33238-bd09-4f50-a627-9bdc4a5aacc2 Linden Oak ( The origin of the name "Linden Oak" is unknown.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linden_Oak The Botany behind Why Cranberries Became a Thanksgiving Staple https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/the-botany-behind-why-cranberries-became-a-thanksgiving-staple New Study Offers Cautious Hope about the Resilience of Redwoods https://phys.org/news/2023-11-cautious-resilience-redwoods.amp Botany Must Feature More Prominently on the School Curriculum to Promote Awareness of Climate Change https://phys.org/news/2023-12-botany-feature-prominently-school-curriculum.html Four Petal Pawpaw Plant on Endangered List Grows Only in South Florida https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/2023/11/15/four-petal-pawpaw-plant-on-endangered-list-grows-only-in-south-florida/70861612007/ Americans Love Avocados. It?s Killing Mexico?s Forests. Illegal deforestation for avocado crops points to a blood-soaked trade with the United States involving threats, abductions and killings. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/us/mexico-avocado-deforestation.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B00.DTeU.1m_e07QUIE3Y&smid=em-share On Two Small Islands in the Indian Ocean, an Endangered Palm with the World's Largest Seed https://phys.org/news/2023-11-small-islands-indian-ocean-endangered.amp Ecologist Finds Rare Form of Fungus in Kent https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-67424013 The Artificial Glacier Growing in the Desert https://www.cnn.com/style/article/ice-stupa-sonam-wangchuk/index.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kbilton at gmail.com Wed Dec 6 14:14:05 2023 From: kbilton at gmail.com (Kathy BILTON) Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2023 15:14:05 -0500 Subject: [Botsocwash] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_December_17=2C_2023_Annual_Winter_?= =?utf-8?q?Solstice_Field_Trip_at_BARC_Pine_Barrens=2C_Prince_Georg?= =?utf-8?q?e=E2=80=99s_County=2C_MD?= In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Message from Rod Simmons about the December 17 Annual WInter Solstice trip: Hi all, Please see the below announcement for the upcoming Annual Winter Solstice Walk. We had originally planned to go to Chapman Forest this year, but the Maglev Superconducting Railway proposal between Washington and Baltimore is once again afoot for this area and it probably makes more sense to raise awareness of this important conservation issue. Also, on the plus side is a large parking lot nearby the site. Would the sponsoring organizations kindly advertise this walk? Thanks, Rod *December 17, 2023 Annual Winter Solstice Field Trip at BARC Pine Barrens, Prince George?s County, MD* *[image: cid:image007.jpg at 01CDCBEC.75B6FF60]* *"There are mushrooms for a brain,* *owl talons, vervain, and mandrake,* *and something else, unnamed,* *that sets the shallow winter sap upon its face* *and grants the Greenman motion* *and binds him to the forest waste."* *- Ari Berk, Anatomies* *Sunday, December 17, 2023* *11:00 am - 3:00 pm * Field trip co-sponsored by the Maryland Native Plant Society, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society, Greenbelt Biota Group, and Botanical Society of Washington *Leaders:* Rod Simmons, Damien Ossi, John Parrish, and others This year?s Solstice Walk will explore the globally endangered northern Pitch Pine sand barrens at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center at their southernmost extent in Maryland and why these natural areas are so highly valued and in need of conservation. Many people have asked what is at stake if the Maglev Superconducting Railway proposal between Washington and Baltimore is approved. One outcome would be that rare plant and animal communities at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center would be harmed and irreplaceable natural resources lost forever. Celebrate the beginning of the winter season amid the vast pine barrens forest with its spectacular scenery and remarkable diversity of native plants, wildlife, and natural communities! We will see the following rare communities, among others. We will also see champion-sized Pitch Pine and other pine barrens trees. *Pine Barrens Pine-Oak Woodland*: *Pinus rigida* - *Quercus coccinea* - *Quercus falcata* / (*Quercus marilandica*) / *Gaylussacia frondosa* Woodland (USNVC: CEGL006329). Global/State Ranks: G2G3/S3. *Lowland Pine Barrens* with extensive, co-dominant colonies of Dangleberry (*Gaylussacia frondosa*). Global/State Ranks: G2G3/S3. *Pine Barrens Lowland Forest*: *Pinus rigida* ? *Nyssa sylvatica* / *Clethra alnifolia* ? *Eubotrys racemosus* Forest (USNVC: CEGL006926). Global/State Ranks: G2G3/S2?. *Coastal Plain Depression Swamp* (Willow Oak - Red Maple -Sweetgum Type): *Quercus phellos *- *Acer rubrum* - *Liquidambar styraciflua*/ *Vaccinium* ( *formosum*, *fuscatum*) Forest on the Central Farm of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Prince George?s County, Maryland. Global/State Ranks: G3/S2. Also see *Marilandica*, Spring 2008 for a thorough description of these natural communities in relation to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. *Field trip is free and open to non-members. Registration is not required.* *Directions*: Take the Capital Beltway to the BW Pkwy north to Powder Mill Road west exit and Powder Mill Road west a very short ways to the first parking lot on the left. This is marked by the blue ?P? on the attached Google Earth image. *Bring:* Wear sturdy shoes and bring lunch or snacks and water. Most of the walk traverses fairly flat, open woodland, though some routes may have a moderate slope. **In the event of heavy-steady snow, sleet, or pouring rain, or icy, dangerous conditions of roads, the field trip will be cancelled. * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 17272 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2023 Winter Solstice Walk parking.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 799006 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Anne Arundel's Cranberry Bogs - Joan Wolle - ex libris Fran Uhler.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 286272 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Christmas Botany or How Reindeer Learned to Fly - Daniel Austin.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 3761977 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Mushrooms for the Holiday Season.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 528972 bytes Desc: not available URL: From kbilton at gmail.com Sat Dec 9 11:05:26 2023 From: kbilton at gmail.com (Kathy BILTON) Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2023 12:05:26 -0500 Subject: [Botsocwash] =?utf-8?b?KEJTVykg8J+OhPCfjLIgSmFudWFyeSAyIG1lZXRp?= =?utf-8?b?bmcgKyBNSVNDLiDwn4yy8J+OhA==?= Message-ID: The New Year is not far off, and with it we will have our first 2024 meeting on Tuesday, January 2. The meeting will start at 7pm with "doors" opening by 6:45. Speaking will be Harlan Svoboda, Ph.D., the curator of the Herbaria at the U.S. National Arboretum. His topic: "The Enduring Legacy of the USDA's Botanical Explorations" Flyer: http://www.botsoc.org/jan24.pdf The meeting will be on Zoom and here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88263702830?pwd=d3lWendTcVVyVGNJdUh1MTZvdjhmZz09 Meeting ID: 882 6370 2830 Passcode: 196891 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ?Botany of the Holidays? event celebrates festive flora at UCLA botanical garden https://dailybruin.com/2023/12/03/botany-of-the-holidays-event-celebrates-festive-flora-at-ucla-botanical-garden A Wisconsin Christmas Tree Farm is Being Turned Into an Ecological Preserve https://www.npr.org/2023/12/09/1218386139/a-wisconsin-christmas-tree-farm-is-being-turned-into-an-ecological-preserve Illinois English professor writes children?s biography of pioneering Black botanist https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/1562050319 UK Bans Giant Rhubarb after Study Finds Popular Garden Plant is Invasive Species https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/uk-bans-popular-garden-plant-gunnera-after-study-finds-it-an-invasive-species Take a Break from Your Screen and Look at Plants ? Botanizing is a Great Way to Engage with Life around You https://theconversation.com/take-a-break-from-your-screen-and-look-at-plants-botanizing-is-a-great-way-to-engage-with-life-around-you-210616 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kbilton at gmail.com Mon Dec 11 12:46:24 2023 From: kbilton at gmail.com (Kathy BILTON) Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 13:46:24 -0500 Subject: [Botsocwash] =?utf-8?q?Petition_to_support_Rod_Simmons=2C_Alexan?= =?utf-8?q?dria=E2=80=99s_Natural_Resource_Manager?= Message-ID: Started by Environmental Council of Alexandria *Rod Simmons, Alexandria's Natural Resource Manager and conservation biologist is retiring in ?frustration? after 27 years over the City's efforts to silence and prevent him from doing his job.* https://www.change.org/p/support-rod-simmons-alexandria-s-natural-resource-manager The petition page has a number of additional documents on it. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER )Press Release Environmental Council of Alexandria (ECA) Press Release Rod?s retirement letter Letter to City Manager Regarding Rod's Retirement Alexandria?s Natural Resources Manager ?retires early in frustration? after battles within city government -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kbilton at gmail.com Mon Dec 11 15:27:00 2023 From: kbilton at gmail.com (Kathy BILTON) Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:27:00 -0500 Subject: [Botsocwash] Note: No donations sought; petition is not a fundraiser. Message-ID: *From the petition:* ****NOTE: There is no need to donate to Change.org. The most important thing you can do is to share this petition with friends and family.***** Note from Rod: Thanks Kathy! Would you kindly put a note on the listserve not to donate to Change.Org. The money goes into their coffers which I don?t think a lot of people understand. The petition is not a fundraiser in any way. Petition is here: https://www.change.org/p/support-rod-simmons-alexandria-s-natural-resource-manager -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kbilton at gmail.com Fri Dec 29 16:34:43 2023 From: kbilton at gmail.com (Kathy BILTON) Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2023 17:34:43 -0500 Subject: [Botsocwash] (BSW) Reminder - Next meeting is this Tuesday, January 2 + MISC. Message-ID: Our first 2024 meeting is coming up this on Tuesday, January 2. The meeting will start at 7pm with "doors" opening by 6:45. Speaking will be Harlan Svoboda, Ph.D., the curator of the Herbaria at the U.S. National Arboretum. His topic: "The Enduring Legacy of the USDA's Botanical Explorations" Flyer: http://www.botsoc.org/jan24.pdf ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Facebook page to discuss the myriad of environmental and other major problems with Arlington & Alexandria's Potomac Yard development: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554907161704 Botanical memory: five centuries of floristic changes revealed by a Renaissance herbarium (Ulisse Aldrovandi, 1551?1586) https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.230866 500-year-old pressed flowers reveal disheartening secrets to team of scientists: ?These increases are frightening? https://news.yahoo.com/500-old-pressed-flowers-reveal-111555495.html The Popular Holiday Plant Named After a Slaveholder, May Be Undergoing a Name Change https://news.yahoo.com/poinsettia-popular-holiday-plant-named-041736287.html Aloe vera plants turned into energy-storing supercapacitors https://www.newscientist.com/article/2409497-aloe-vera-plants-turned-into-energy-storing-supercapacitors/ Swedish Researchers develop ?electronic soil? that speeds up plant growth https://www.engadget.com/swedish-researchers-develop-electronic-soil-that-speeds-up-plant-growth-205630538.html Skydiving Salamanders Live in World?s Tallest Trees https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/05/23/skydiving-salamanders-live-in-worlds-tallest-trees -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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