PLANT SCIENCES CENTER NEWSLETTER

WINTER 1998

1140 N. Colombo, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
(520)458-8278 ext. 141

The Plant Sciences Task Force was formed by the Sierra Vista City Council in January 1997 to determine the feasibility of establishing a local facility to study and propagate endangered, rare, or threatened plants. Within 8 months, ground was broken for a plant salvage facility. This facility will develop and demonstrate methods to rescue, nurture, and reintroduce native plants into local and regional landscapes.

PLANT SCIENCES TASK FORCE MEMBERS

Harold Vangilder, City Councilman, Chairman
Bob Blanchard, City Councilman, Vice Chair
Patrick J. Bell, Staff Liaison

Wally Armer, AZ Cattle Growers
Bill Branan, National Audubon Research Ranch
Angie Brooks, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Robert Call, UofA Cooperative Extension
Cado Daily, UofA Cooperative Extension
Laura Dupee, US Forest Service
Paul Hardy, The Nature Conservancy
Tom Hessler, Planning & Zoning Commission
Gretchen Kent, NEPA Coordinator, Ft. Huachuca
Robert Leonard, UofA College of Agriculture
Eugene Sander, UofA College of Agriculture
Clif Taylor, Natural Resources, ADOT
Jeanne Wade, US Forest Service
Catherine Wertz, Chulo Canyon Seed
Jack Whetstone, Bureau of Land Mgmt
Kazz Workizer, S.S.V.E.C.

Cado Daily, Plant Sciences Center Coordinator
Cheri Melton, Horticultural Technician

PLANT UPDATE

Many interesting plants came into the center this year. Among them were Agave palmeri, Agave schottii, Coryphantha (Bisbee Beehive), Cholla, Echinocereus (Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog & Fender’s Hedgehog), Ferocactus wislizenii (Barrel Cactus), Mammillaria’s (Arizona Fishhook, Cream Pincushion, & Large-fruited Fishhook), numerous species of Opuntia (Prickly Pear), assorted native grasses, Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo), and Yuccas (Desert Spoon, Red Yucca - which were "recovered from the dump, & Soaptree Yucca).

Salvage projects included Hwy 90, The Mall at Sierra Vista, Avenida Cochise, and Fort Huachuca. Outgoing planting projects included Buffalo Solider Trail, which used 315 salvaged plants from the PSC. These plants, along with other native plants, were planted on September 26th, National Public Lands Day. Volunteers from the community, led by Cochise County Master Gardener Team Leaders, received hands-ons experience on how to plant native plants. This new concept of xeric roadside landscaping will save a total of 3,088,800 gallons of water or 9.47 acre feet of water annually over traditional landscaping methods.

Various ADOT revegetation projects used 72 plants, and on Fort Huachuca, the Veterinary Clinic and Fire Station #1 received a total of 9 plants.

THANK YOU!!!

The Plant Sciences Center would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous donations of materials and labor and helping make this Center become a reality.

SPONSORS:

Arizona Department of Transportation
City of Sierra Vista
Fort Huachuca
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
The University of Arizona, Sierra Vista

DONORS:

Ace Hardware, Sierra Vista
Cochise County Master Gardeners
Chulo Canyon Seed
Jan Groth
DeForest Lewis, Jr.
Pepsi-Cola
Stan Greer Millworks
Struse Plumbing, Inc.
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative
Sun Valley Roofing
Valley Rentals

PSC VOLUNTEERS:

The following contributed a total of 531 hours to the Center!

                                                     Elisabeth Baker          Angel Rutherford
                                                     Diane Levine              Sal Valverde
                                                     Vicki Longley             Patrick Viche
                                                     Chris Melton               Cathy Wertz
                                                     Clyde Russell             Helene Wingert
                                                                    Dept. of Corrections
                                                                          Youth Kids

"Volunteers receive no pay - not because they
are worthless, but rather because they are priceless!" - Unknown

This fall, the PSC sent out a request to the community for donations of plant containers. The community responded overwhelmingly and we received over 500 plant containers of assorted shapes and sizes. Due to the community’s generosity, over 300 salvaged plants have found temporary homes in these recycled containers until their final destination.  Many thanks to the citizens of Sierra Vista!

PSC HAPPENINGS

• Spring 1998 – the PSC was the site host for the Second Annual Xeriscape Tour
• Summer 1998 – the PSC hosted three school classroom tours
• Fall 1998 – PSC tours were offered during the High Desert Garden Fair
• Spring 1999 – Cado Daily, PSC Coordinator, will talk about Salvaging High Desert Native Plants at the Sixth Annual High Desert Gardening & Landscaping Conference, February 11-12

SERVICES AVAILABLE

The PSC staff offers the following services to sponsors, the community, and developers:

• Tours of the Plant Sciences Center
• Advice on salvaging techniques, relocation & planting; on-site consultations; plant I.D.
• Guidance on water saving landscape plants & techniques
• Awareness of our unique native flora
• Plant lists
• Workshops

Return to News & Events