August 2019
As many of you know, we lost a member of our KPC family last month. Allen Brymer died at his home on Wednesday evening, July 3, 2019. He had been ill during the last year but we all had been hoping for a full recovery; sadly this did not occur.
After retiring from BP as a project manager, Allen brought his skills of organization and management to KPC in 2014 as a volunteer at the Indiangrass Preserve. He transitioned to his role as Conservation Stewardship Manager in 2016.
Always watching out for others, he made sure volunteers understood how to use equipment, how to stay hydrated, how to avoid fire ants, and how to make sure one is free of ticks. He loved to shop for items on Amazon that made things easier for the volunteers, and continued to improve and expand KPC's native seed nursery over the years.
Allen was a good listener and a great storyteller. His extensive knowledge and fascinating facts about native plants were an integral part of KPC's Native Plants Program. His good humor and willingness to work with scouts, students, and other groups on conservation projects expanded KPC's restoration efforts and introduced many to the beauty and value of the prairie. Volunteers on Tuesdays and Fridays enjoyed walking the trail with him to see his favorite native plants in bloom and listen to Allen share his expertise.
Allen's obituary and additional details on his memorial service can be found
here
. All of us at KPC are grateful we had the opportunity to work with him and came to know his fondness for travel and his love of his little chihuahuas. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
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Mary Anne Piacentini
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Thanks Wells Fargo for your generous contribution to the Katy Prairie Conservancy Native Plants Program!
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The Katy Prairie Conservancy’s Native Plants Program received a $5,000 grant from Wells Fargo last month. The concept of planting natives is catching on across the region due to their beauty, benefit to pollinators, and role in flood control.
"This grant from Wells Fargo will assist the Katy Prairie Conservancy in continuing and growing its native plants programs,” said Ali Dodson, advancement director for the Katy Prairie Conservancy. “These outreach programs are essential as the Katy Prairie Conservancy works to tell its story of coastal prairie conservation, garner community support, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The programs supported by this grant include seed collecting, the Native Seed Nursery, and educational programming.
“Wells Fargo is committed to supporting organizations like the Katy Prairie Conservancy that address critical environmental needs,” said Tom DeBesse, Houston North region bank president. “The native plant and educational programs will help make a positive impact in our community and foster a generation of leaders who value sustainability
.”
Mary Anne Piacentini, president of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, added, “We are so grateful to Wells Fargo for this important gift that will help the Katy Prairie Conservancy continue to build on its base of land protection, prairie restoration, and community involvement. An important piece of this work is the Native Plants Program, which starts with seed collection and ends with the restoration of coastal prairie. These programs allow every Houstonian to get involved and make a difference as we create a resilient community for generations to come.”
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Photo courtesy of Chuck Duplant
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A New Donation Program to Support KPC
- Round Up For Change
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You can help KPC by rounding up the spare change on your purchases! Get started
HERE
.
How do Spare Change Donations work?
Every time you make a purchase, your spare change will be rounded up and donated to KPC. Visit a coffee shop and spend $3.60… $.40 will be rounded up. Roundups are tallied until they reach $5. Once $5 is reached, the donation is triggered and your credit card or bank account is charged. This way, your bank statement doesn’t become overwhelmed with micro-charges. This is a simple and easy way to create change for KPC!
Will I receive a tax deductible receipt for my contribution?
You will receive automatic monthly statements of your contributions to the email address connected to your account. At the end of the year, you may print a year-end receipt of your annual donations. Please consult your authorized legal counsel as to the deductibility of your contributions as the rules vary state by state.
What if I would like to pause or set a limit on my contributions?
You can pause donations at any time by logging into your account and visiting your Donation Settings. You can also set a monthly limit. Roundup donations will halt once your contributions reach your monthly cap.
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Photo c
ourtesy of Carolyn Fannon
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Podcast on Pollinators and Native Plants
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Have you given the Texas Parks and Wildlife's
Under the Texas Sky
podcast a listen?
If not, we'd like to recommend you listen to Season 1 Episode 3, "Pollinators and Native Plants."
Under the Texas Sky
, produced and hosted by Cecilia Nasti, presents the great outdoors to listeners through the experiences of everyday people as well as experts inside and outside of the agency. The podcast is not just about Texas Parks and Wildlife Department programs and projects, but also about people like you who benefit from our state's wild things and wild places.
Listen or download for later
here
!
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Upcoming Events On the Prairie
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A
ugust Volunteer Opportunities
You can make a difference! First time volunteers, fill out a volunteer application
here
.
We are working on a variety of different volunteer projects at Indiangrass Preserve and Shrike Prairie throughout the year. Join us during any of the times below.
Indiangrass Preserve
Tuesdays: 9 am - 3 pm
Fridays: 9 am - 1 pm
Saturdays:
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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REMEMBER TO DRINK WATER!
Planning on visiting us or volunteering? Don't forget to fill up and drink from your reusable water bottles - it's HOT on the prairie in the summer.
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Seed Collecting Opportunities
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Interested in learning more about seed collecting? Join us out on the prairie!
What to bring/wear:
- If you have them, please bring pruners or scissors, a bucket or a reusable grocery bag, and a pen. Supplies are available if needed.
- Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. We recommend you bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a long-sleeved shirt, binoculars, and camera.
- Water and light snack are usually available.
Katy Prairie Conservancy - Shrike Prairie (by Matt Cook Viewing Platform) and Rockhollow Creek:
Friday, August 9, 2019
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Meet at Matt Cook Viewing Platform parking lot (Google map
here
; driving directions
here
)
Deer Park Prairie:
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
9 am - noon
Meet at 1222 E. Purdue Lane, Deek Park, TX 77035 (
Google map
)
Carpool: Email Lan Shen for carpooling opportunity from the Kroger parking lot at S. Post Oak & W. Bellfort or from a residential area adjacent to S. Main & Buffalo Speedway
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TAKING A BREAK FOR THE SUMMER!
KPC at Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse
KPC will be taking a break for the summer from the native plants work it has been doing with volunteers at The Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse.
In the meantime, KPC's Native Seed Nursery at the Indiangrass Preserve in Waller is open and ready for volunteers.
All are welcome, no experience necessary!
Join us on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9 am.
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Birds of the Katy Prairie
Friday, August 9, 2019
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
The Cafe at Brookwood
1752 Farm to Market 1489
Brookshire, TX, 77423
Did you know that while we’re sweltering in the heat of July on the prairie, some migrating birds are already flying south for the winter? How do they know it’s time to go?
Join long-time volunteer and board member Iris Poteet for a fantastic presentation on Katy Prairie birds at The Cafe at Brookwood. All ages. Cost is $23.95 and tickets can be purchased on the Brookwood Community website
here
.
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Photo courtesy of Greg Lavaty
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There are still a few spots available for this fun, interactive cooking experience with Houston chef Monica Pope. Email Ali Dodson at
adodson@katyprairie.org
to sign up!
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SALE!
Get your
Preserve the Katy Prairie
T-shirt!
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T-shirts still available
here
! $15 each while supplies last.
PS. We've sold out of Adult Small and Large - we still have Adult Medium and X-Large.
We also have children shirt sizes available!
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SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE PRAIRIE
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