Native Plant Society of New Mexico Native Plant Society of New Mexico

Great News! The City of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County have both proclaimed April 18-24, 2021 Native Plant Week! The Las Cruces Chapter NPSNM and Mesilla Valley Audubon Society partnered to bring the proclamations and related events forward and we are thrilled with the positive responses so far. Here’s what you can look forward to…

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO TO CELEBRATE NATIVE PLANT WEEK! 

1. Read Articles! The Bulletin published Lisa Mandlekern’s wonderful photographs and article called in Engaging Wildflowers April 9,

• Native Plants for Your Garden by Joan Woodward was published (in part) April 16
• Learn your plants on the Dripping Springs Trail and Signage is an article by Vic Crane coming soon–April 22
• Marcy Scott will wrap up with her monthly column on native plants in the Las Cruces Sun News on April 25.
• Lists of hikes and native plants for your garden are also posted on lascruces.com.

2. Listen to the Radio! Two radio programs highlighted native plants: On April 14 (now archived here on KTAL’s website) a lively interview was conducted by Peter Goodman with artist Meg Freyermuth, NMSU Professor Emeritus Dr. Mary OConnell, Elaine Stachera Simon, MVAS President, and John Rowdan from National Audubon, City Councilman Gill Sorg, and LCNPSNM’s Joan Woodward — great fun! — and it provided varying perspectives on the value of native plants, from cancer-treating drugs to art inspiration to helping birds survive.  A second radio show, Friday April 16, is archived on KRWG by the two Audubon Society leaders.

3. Attend Programs Galore: Rob Wu will talk about butterflies in an NPSNM program on May 12, Audubon will host renowned author Susan Tweit’s talk on native plants and removing invasives on May 19 (MVAS.org), and State Horticulturalist Marisa Thompson will present basic plant identification for gardeners on June 9 (npsnm.org).

4. Go for a Hike and Join Activities Although it’s a dry year with fewer blooms, you still won’t be disappointed to hike this week with cooler temps expected. (See Top Hikes for Seeing Native Plants to give you some ideas) Plus, Asombro Institute is hosting families to engage in a native plant scavenger hunt at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park all week. (asombro.org) Get outside!

5. And when you do get outside and hike, you might Win a Free Book on Native Plants! A drawing for native plant books will be held at both Dripping Springs Visitor Center at Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, April 18-24. Be sure to sign up for a chance to win a signed copy of Jack Carter’s Trees and Shrubs of New Mexico or Chihuahuan Desert Gardens by Greg Magee and Tim McKimmee.