Program meetings begin at 7:00 pm, are open to the public, and will be hybrid when possible. Attend live in Room 111 of WNMU’s Harlan Hall (at corner of 12th and Alabama Streets in Silver City), unless otherwise noted. We’ll automatically email a Zoom link to Gila Chapter members, and others can request it from gilanative@gmail.com. Recordings are posted to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@gilanativeplantsociety8590.
Volunteer signups are always appreciated for refreshments, so contact us if you are willing!
February 20, 2026: Generalist vs. Specialist Pollination Systems in the Genus Dalea (Fabaceae): Implications for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation by Justin Zweck.
While some species of Dalea (e.g. formosa, nana) feature the typical "papillionoid" form in which the anthers and stigma are enclosed within the petals, others have a more open form (e.g. purpurea, candida, albiflora). By comparing pollination systems within and between forms, Justin tested hypotheses regarding the advantages and disadvantages of specialist vs generalist pollination for his PhD research. You will leave this talk with a deeper understanding of the evolutionary ecology of Dalea species, legumes, and generalist-specialist pollination systems at large.
Justin is a plant ecologist who recently moved to New Mexico. He obtained his B.S. in Botany from UW-Madison in 2006 (studying pollen morphology in the Malvaceae), and a PhD in Biology from Saint Louis University in 2017 on the topic presented here. After grad school, Justin studied plant hybridization in Quito, Ecuador before teaching at UM-Duluth (2018-2021). He then joined Penn State University as a postdoctoral scholar for the Deer-Forest Study, which investigates the role of white tailed deer in the regeneration of Pennsylvania forests. Justin now works remotely on this project, while enjoying the flora of our region as a member of the Albuquerque chapter of the New Mexico Native Plant Society.
A sweat bee forages for pollen on Dalea purpurea. Credit: Justin Zweck
March 20, 2026: Carolyn Koury will present on the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program, particularly as it relates to the 2025 Trout Fire.
At our request, Carolyn graciously rescheduled this presentation, and added an associated field trip for which details will be announced later. The federal Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program assesses fire effects on vegetation, soils, and watershed function, and executes immediate actions to manage unacceptable post-fire risks to critical values. In summer 2025, the Trout Fire burned approximately 50,000 acres in Grant County, a significant portion of which occurred within the Gila National Forest. Please join us to learn how the BAER program was applied to the recent fire that ran through our fire-dependent ecosystem and put many residents on edge.
Carolyn Koury has served as the watershed and air program manager for the Gila National Forest since 2002. Prior to this she was the Forest Hydrologist for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in Arizona from 1994 – 2002. She holds a B.S. in Communications/Pre-Law from Northern Arizona University and an M.S. in Hydrology from the University of Arizona. Carolyn has worked on multiple large BAER teams including the 2006 Bear Fire (Gila), 2011 Wallow Fire (Apache-Sitgreaves), 2012 Whitewater Baldy Complex (Gila) and 2022 Black Fire (Gila). She is a native of Arizona but considers Silver City, NM her home.
Trout Fire high severity burn area. Credit: Gila National Forest
January 16, 2026: “Who’s a Pollinator? It Depends…” by Diane Larson.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/sdsev5BpcEY
The plight of bees and how that affects pollination of both crops and native plants have rightly received much attention. But, bees are not the only insect pollinators. Sometimes, they are not even the best pollinator for a particular plant species. Diane will delve into different insect taxa that carry – or don’t carry – pollen, showing that a diverse fauna is needed for robust pollination services.
Diane was a Research Wildlife Biologist for 33 years, first with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and then the US Geological Survey. Much of her research centered on pollination of endemic plants in national parks in the northern Great Plains. Diane retired in 2024 and now lives in Silver City, where she enjoys participating in the New Mexico Native Bee Atlas project.
Fly on Verbesina. Credit: Diane Larson
November 21, 2025: “What’s New in New Mexico” by Russ Kleinman.
Russ Kleinman presented some of the exciting new state and local botanical finds over the past few years. These recent records cover a broad range of interests from ferns to forget-me-nots and even mosses and liverworts. These are plants you should keep an eye out for as you roam the forest and desert in our corner of New Mexico.
Russ and his wife Karen moved to their house just south of Pinos Altos in 1993. About five years before Russ retired from his General Surgery practice in Silver City in 2008, Dr. Norris infected him with the botany bug. Russ initiated the website gilaflora.com around 2003 to help teach botany students at WNMU and as a community service.
Trichostema coeruleum - photo credit Radha Veach
Friday October 17 at 7 pm, WNMU Harlan Hall Room 111: Eduardo (Eddie) Saldana will present research on Penstemon metcalfei (Metcalfe's Penstemon).
In 2023, Natural Curiosity Wilderness Stewardship Director Tricia Kazemi found a population of the rare Penstemon metcalfei in the Black Range. Natural Curiosity and Bat Conservation International partnered to secure funding from the Gila National Forest to survey, monitor, and study this newly discovered population. The funding supported John Gorey of Underwing Biological to conduct field surveys, and WNMU student Eduardo (Eddie) Saldana to assist with data analysis and reporting. Eddie will be presenting the results of the survey and monitoring, along with a predictive habitat model that will direct future survey efforts.
Eddie Saldana is a WNMU student majoring in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Eddie's interest in plants was kindled by WNMU’s Dr. Bill Norris, which he communicated to Dr. Perry of Natural Curiosity while working on a Conservation Corps New Mexico trail crew being hosted by Natural Curiosity. Advisor and mentor Dr. Kathy Whiteman assisted in setting up this experience to fulfil Eddie's practicum requirement for his degree. Eddie plans a future career in wildlife biology and conservation, and this experience is an important stepping stone on that journey.
Please join us to support Eddie’s entry to the world of science communications, to recognize the value of multi-faceted partnerships, and to learn about this amazing rare plant!
Penstemon metcalfei. Credit: Natural Curiosity
Friday September 19, 7 pm, at The Hearth (1915 N. Swan Street in Silver City): Dr. Carlos Martinez del Rio will present “Pollination, fermentation, and distillation: The biocultural coevolution of mezcales, bats, and humans." Please note the change in live venue for this specific presentation, which will allow Carlos to share special treats after his presentation.
Agaves (mezcales) and their pollinating bats have co-evolved for several million years. For many thousands of years, Mesoamerican cultures have relied on mezcales for fiber, food and intoxicating beverages. The more recent global human demands for mezcal-based alcohol is placing bats, agaves and mezcal cultures in danger. Please join us in exploring these relationships and learn what we can do to protect them.
Carlos Martinez del Rio was born in Mexico and raised there on a ranch surrounded by cattle dung and books. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Universidad Autónoma de México and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. He taught and did research at Princeton, the University of Arizona and the University of Wyoming. In 2022 he retired from teaching and moved to Silver City. However, he continues his pursuit of studying animals that pollinate plants and disperse plant seeds. He also indulges in his disorganized but passionate biophilia by hiking and riding his mule, Susana, throughout the Gila ecosystem.
Agave gatherers from the 16th century Florentine Codex
Friday. March 21, 2025, 7:00 to 8:30 pm – “The Night Shift: Moths as Nocturnal Pollinators” Kaitlin Hasse, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Southwest Pollinator Conservation Specialist
The Night Shift: Moths as Nocturnal Pollinators - YouTube
The work of pollination is never over—even after dark! When our day-active (diurnal) pollinators turn in for the evening, nocturnal pollinators such as moths, bats, beetles, and even some species of bees take on the night shift to feast on nectar. We are just beginning to understand the importance of these nocturnal flower visitors for pollination of wild and managed plants.
As the Southwest Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Kaitlin works to create climate-resilient, connected pollinator habitat in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. She collaborates with and educates public and private urban land managers in New Mexico and the desert Southwest on pollinator-friendly practices for landscaping, gardening, and open space restoration.
Friday, February 21, 2025, 7:00 to 8:30 pm – “Native Landscaping Is Not a Crime” Val Weston and J Courtney Brandon, Silver City Homeowners and GNPS Members
Val and J bought one of Silver City’s fixer-upper houses in 2021. Alongside a complete home renovation, they also planned to rehabilitate the yard with native plants. They will discuss the challenges they faced and how they navigated the charges against them when they were cited under Silver City’s nuisance ordinance for their initial efforts in the yard rehabilitation process.
Val Weston and J. Brandon are native plant enthusiasts who moved to Silver City for the outdoor, art, and motorcycling opportunities. They were delighted to also find an active and supportive native plant community in Silver City as they took on their yard rehabilitation project.
Friday, January 17, 2025, 7:00 to 8:30 pm – “NMDOT Vegetation Management and our Gila Highways: Working on a plan to improve what’s being done” Bill Hutchinson, NMDOT Roadside and Community Design Manager Andrew Alderete, NMDOT Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM)
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) maintains approximately 25,000 miles of roadsides. While safety is always a primary driver, NMDOT is also responsible for good environmental stewardship within its rights of way. To that end, it isimplementing an Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) program.Bill and Andrew will explain what the IVM Program is and what is being done to improve vegetation management. They will then introduce the Gila Vegetation Management Plan.
Friday, November 15, 2024, 7:00 pm – “Observations from the Field” Presentation by Donna Stevens and Jim McGrath.
Donna Stevens at Aldo Leopold Wilderness boundary
Although flowering plants may be dormant for the winter, we can revisit the glory of the past summer in photos and stories. Donna Stevens and Jim McGrath, seasonal botanists with the Gila National Forest, will present a program about their 2024 fieldwork and current projects. Topics will include invasive plant status and removal strategies, invasive plant problems in the wilderness, inventory and monitoring of the Gila’s rare plant populations, and the history and current status of the Cherry Creek restoration project. The program will be live at Harlan Hall, Room 111, on the WNMU Campus. You can also attend via Zoom, a link to be announced ten days prior.