AT: Native Landscapes for Birds, Greater Houston Area

Overview

Native Landscapes for Birds is a Companion Class to the Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP). There is no prerequisite for the class.

The NLCP is a four level certification program developed by the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) that teaches the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes. Check it out! https://npsot.org/wp/nlcp/

This is a state-wide program, but classes focus on the characteristics and plants of the region in which they are taught. Please register for classes located in the region in which you wish to landscape.
Description

– Learn about the importance of birds and Texas’ role in bird migration.
– Identify threats to birds and steps to reduce them.
– Understand the relationship between birds and native plants.
– Create and maintain bird-friendly native plant landscapes.
– Become familiar with up to 50 native Texas plants that benefit your local birds.
Online Class

The class is an online presentation on Zoom. In order for you to fully benefit, we recommend you take the class on a computer, laptop or tablet, not a phone. To join the class you must have the most recent version of Zoom software and a reliable internet connection. Download the free Zoom app from https://zoom.us/signup. If you need help learning how to use the Zoom application, you may find some tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials.

UPON REGISTRATION, you receive a confirmation email. Please check your “junk mail” if you do not receive it. THREE DAYS PRIOR TO CLASS you will receive the Zoom class link with log-in instructions and class materials links. For further assistance, contact the NLCP Coordinator, Meg Inglis, [email protected] or 512-589-1316.
Class Records

The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) no longer provides certificates for attending this class. However, we do take attendance at the beginning and end of each class session and will keep completion records of those who attend all sessions of a class. If you need proof of attendance for any reason, please contact Meg Inglis at [email protected].
Agenda

8:45 – 9:00 am – Sign in: Zoom
9:00 – 9:15 am – Class Introduction: Procedures, Handouts
9:15 – 10:15 am – Presentation – Native Landscapes for Birds
10:15 – 10:25 am – Break
10:25 – 11:25 am – Presentation – Native Landscapes for Birds cont.
11:25 – 12:00 pm Lunch Break
12:00 – 1:00 pm – Presentation – Plant Knowledge
1:00 – 1:10 pm – Break
1:10 – 2:10 pm – Presentation – Plant Knowledge cont.
2:10 – 2:25 pm – Break
2:25 – 3:15 pm – Virtual – Plant Walk Video
3:15 – 3:25 pm – Break
3:25 – 4:00 pm – Virtual – Plant Walk Video cont.
4:00 – 4:15 pm – Final Questions and Wrap Up
Instructors

Scott Buckel is a member of the Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas and a Galveston Bay Area Master Naturalist. He has been interested in nature since childhood, with particular interests in plants, dragonflies, butterflies and birds. He volunteers for The Nature Conservancy and teaches digital photography to fellow Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners. He is an adjunct professor at University of Houston Clear Lake.
Mary Ann Beauchemin worked at the Nature Discovery Center for 32 years, retiring in July 2020, but is still volunteering on several projects there. She was the Senior Naturalist and an Environmental Educator there throughout her career. In addition, Mary Ann was the Park Steward for her last 12 years there. As Park Steward she coordinated the creation of a master plan for the park and the removal and replacement of most of the non-native plants on the site with plants native to Harris County. This included the creation of native “Habitat Zone” sample garden areas, a water feature for birds, interpretive signage, trails & boardwalks accessible to all, and a teaching deck at the pond. Mary Ann has a Masters degree in Environmental Education and has spent the last 40 years teaching children and adults about the natural world for the US Forest Service and in several nature centers and in both Oregon and Texas. She has a passion for birding and has been leading bird walks and field trips at the NDC for the past 20 years, as well as leading bird walks and nature programs at other nature centers for 20 years before that. She is a member of the Houston Native Plant Society and currently leads the Willow Waterhole Bird Survey for Houston Audubon.

Margaret Gnewuch has been a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter for over 20 years and is a past president. Margaret has been studying, gardening, and enjoying native Texas plants for over 30 years. She is the Book Coordinator for our Wildscapes Workshop searching for native plant and nature books.

Mary Spolyar is a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter, and a Texas Gulf Coast Master Naturalist. A native Houstonian, Mary’s interest in native plants grew from gardening for and rearing butterflies. She volunteers in the Natives Nursery at Houston Audubon’s Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary and also at the Houston Arboretum, where she enjoys encouraging elementary school students to explore and appreciate the natural world around them.
Questions

Registration: Meg Inglis, NLCP Coordinator, [email protected] or 512-589-1316
Class specific: Margaret Gnewuch, Host Chapter Manager, [email protected], 713-657-0372
Discount – NPSOT Members

Level 1: $45 for all
Levels 2, 3 and Native Landscapes for Birds:
$50 – Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) members
$65 – Non-members. Become a NPSOT member and save – http://npsot.org/wp/join-renew/
Pricing – During Dates: (Jan 31, 2021 – Mar 12, 2021)
Registrant Type Price
General US$ 65.00
NPSOT Member US$ 50.00
Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact the NLCP Coordinator as soon as possible so another student may come in your place: Meg Inglis, [email protected] or 512-589-1316. Fees may not be applied to future classes. Only cancellations made by midnight on the Monday prior to class are eligible for a refund. Upon cancellation, a $10 handling fee is deducted from the refund to cover charges incurred from our third party registration service provider. Thank you for your understanding in this matter!