By Andrea Thunem
Stop the Car!
We say goodbye to old friends
We announce Newsletter Opportunities.
We reluctantly say goodbye to two noteworthy people, Lisa Lofland Gould and Sue Stephenson, who have richly added to our NCNPS Native Plant News. Lisa’s authoritative and engaging 10-year-long column, “Chlorofiends!”, has enlightened us about the harms wrought by non-native invasive plants and the critical roles of native plants. Our members are better informed thanks to Lisa. Sue created the digital design of the updated Native Plant News in the spring of 2022 and has cheerfully contributed her skills as the graphic editor. We thank them and will miss them both.
Volunteer WordPress Editor Needed
We have an immediate need for a WordPress Editor for the quarterly NCNPS Native Plant News. Starting February 2024. Skills required are technical formatting of provided text and photos using WordPress, and attention to detail. Approximate work is 8 hours for one week per each quarterly newsletter. Skills required: Proficient in WordPress, Elementor experience would be a big plus, experience with the Google Workspace environment. Contact Jean Woods, Technology Chair.
Volunteer Invasive Non-native Botanical Writer Needed
We seek an experienced invasive non-native botanist who enjoys writing about harms wrought by invasive non-native plants and the benefits of native plants, for an ongoing Native Plant News column for the quarterly statewide Native Plant News. Starting April 2024. Skills required: knowledge of and experience with invasive non-native plants, and writing. The terms of the position are flexible. Contact Andrea Thunem, managing editor, newsletter@ncwildflower.org.
Another Stop the Car! Moment
I love road trips, especially when I get off the highway and take backroads. As I’m driving by – oh, “Look at that over there! What is that plant? What’s that in those fields, those woods, that ditch? Quick, take a picture! Better yet, stop the car. Let’s check it out.” I love to explore and learn about native plants, and I bet you do, too.
Lucky for us, as members of NC Native Plant Society, there’s plenty to explore. Plenty of experience, ample action, and wonderful, like-minded people. The best is we’re all motivated and energized by native plants.
Native plants give us impetus. One such person who gets that is Lynda Waldrep of Greensboro, who activated her love of native plants with two donations, one to the NCNPS Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund and another that allows us to continue our support of the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference’s Sponsorship Fund. You, too, can be energized by the world of native plants. Consider making a generous gift to the Zawadzki Fund with our NCNPS Giving Tuesday campaign through December 31.
Here at the NC Native Plant Society, your impact matters – to us and the environment. Find what matters at NCNPS. Become a member of NCNPS. We need you!
By Andrea Thunem
Native Plant News – Winter 2023
Andrea Thunem is editor of the North Carolina Native Plant Society’s Native Plant News and a member of the NCNPS Southern Piedmont chapter. A retired journalist and landscape designer with a passion for native plants and environmental sustainability, she loves working with people to present their stories about the holistic nature of plants, people, earth, and connections. Email her at newsletter@ncwildflower.org