Welcome Reception
On Friday afternoon, beginning at 5 pm, we will host a welcome reception at the Riverwoods Conference Center (615 Riverwoods Pkwy). Food and beverages will be provided. As part of the reception, we have invited Leila Shultz to provide a presentation on a topic entitled, “What’s so special about Logan Canyon?’ Leila will discuss geological features and plant distributions that are unique in the region. Primary focus will be on the dozen+ endemic plant species found in the Bear River Range (northern Wasatch). Among others, this area harbors the rare Penstemon compactus and Orthocarpus holmgreniorum.
Biography for Leila Shultz.
Leila came to Utah in 1973, starting a career of field exploration, curation, teaching, and research. She obtained degrees from the University of Tulsa (B.S.), University of Colorado (M.A.), and Claremont Graduate School (Ph.D.). She is a co-author of the Atlas of Vascular Plants of Utah and the Woody Plants of Utah, and a taxon editor for the Flora of North America for 25 years. Additionally, Leila served as curator of the Intermountain Herbarium for 20 years and on the Board of Directors for the Utah Native Plant Society and the Teton Science Schools. “I completed a monograph of Artemisia subgenus Tridentatae (Sagebrush) in 2009 and have since distributed about 30,000 copies of a Pocket Guide to Sagebrush. My retirement home is with the Intermountain Herbarium at Utah State University and my heart is with the conservation of the rare flora of Utah.”
Banquet
The annual meeting banquet and business meeting will be held at the Riverwoods Conference Center on Saturday evening. A reception will start at 6 pm with the meal served at 7 pm. Following the meal, we will conduct a short business meeting and then be treated to a keynote speech by Tony McCammon, co-author of The Heart of Penstemon Country: A Natural History of Penstemons in the Utah Region. Since completing graduate work at Utah State, Tony has been fascinated by and a self-educated forager of native plants. His love of nature connects him to the Native American way of life and “our brothers and sisters in the plant kingdom. Penstemon enthusiasts love to admire specimens in their native environment. Some take pictures, others propagate them into their own yards. I have even seen some add them to their own peyote mixture. Native American Tribes of the Intermountain West were familiar with Penstemon as a beautiful and useful plant. And although it is the king of the wildflowers, packed inside every plant is a history, a life, and even a power forgotten.” At this year’s APS meeting Tony will share an ethnobotanical history of Penstemon.
Biography for Tony McCammon:
Tony McCammon is the founder of Bloom Horticulture Specialists, the leader in inspiring landscape stewardship and helping gardeners connect to nature’s healing power. His passion for plants carries into his landscape architecture studio, speaking engagements, and consulting opportunities. Tony has worked in the horticultural field for over 15 years. He received a MS in Plant Science from Utah State University and retired from the University of Idaho to start his business. Tony has specialized expertise in woody plants, turfgrass, native plants, permaculture, floraculture, aquaponics, and pest management. He has spoken to many groups nationwide and has appeared on several garden shows. Tony loves hiking, canyoneering, playing soccer with his friends, and relishes writing in the third person. He is a featured speaker on greatgardenspeakers.com, The Association for Garden Communicators, Idaho and Utah Nursery and Landscape Association, local/state/and international Native Plant Associations, and frequently offers community classes through Dixie State University.
