Meetings
Namibia’s Nature
Presented by Greg Starr
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Greg was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and has grown to love the desert and its flora and fauna. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, and after working in the landscape industry he went back to the University to study Botany and further his education in horticulture. Greg worked for Warren Jones (co-author of Plants for Dry Climates and Landscape Plants for Dry Regions) and Dr. Charles Mason at the University of Arizona herbarium. Greg made his first foray into the world of collecting in 1979 when he traveled with Warren and Bill Kinneson to Texas where he saw firsthand, in habitat, the many plants he had only experienced in the nursery or landscapes. He graduated from the University in 1985 with a Master of Science in Horticulture with a special emphasis on botany.
He opened Starr Nursery in the summer of 1985 and has specialized in low water use plants for landscaping in southern Arizona. Greg has traveled extensively in Mexico and the southwestern United States to study the plants for their potential landscape use in desert regions of the world. He has also traveled to South Africa, Madagascar, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina all in his quest for knowledge about the world and its flora and fauna.
Greg cut his teeth writing articles for various journals including the Cactus and Succulent Journal published by the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, Haseltonia, and Desert Plants. Greg has continued writing, and his first book, Cool Plants for Hot Gardens, was released at the end of April 2009. That sold out and Greg revamped the book, went the self-publishing route, and had the revised edition printed locally in December 2021. His second book, titled Agaves: Living Sculptures for Landscapes and Containers, was released in early May of 2012 and is currently out-of-print. He is a co-author for the Field Guide to the Cacti and Other Succulents of Arizona. Greg finished his Cool Cacti and Succulents for Hot Gardens book in September 2024 and now has that available for purchase. He is passionate about plants in the genera Agave, Astrophytum, Echinocereus, and Ferocactus and always learning more.
Greg has described seven new species of Agave, three new species of Hesperaloe, and was a part of the team that described Thelocactus tepelmemensis. He now spends much of his time in botanical pursuits, tapping at the computer hoping another book will take shape, preparing PowerPoint presentations, and tending to Starr Nursery, specializing in Agaves and North American cacti.
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In this brand spanking new presentation, Greg takes you on a naturalist’s adventure through much of the fabulous and underappreciated country of Namibia. Greg and Carol joined a mostly plant-oriented trip led by naturalist Sean Braine. Sean is a native-born Namibian who has spent much of his life learning all things about the plants, birds, reptiles, mammals, geology, and geography of Namibia. With that said, you will see a little bit of everything that Namibia has to offer to the traveler regardless of their interests.
I wanted to see all that Namibia had to offer for the time of year we were there, which was May or their late fall, going into winter. The country had received a significant amount of rainfall earlier in the year, and the countryside was full of life. We were a bit late for a spectacular flower show, and the high rainfall meant the big animals would not have to congregate around watering holes, but we anticipated seeing them in small numbers. We were on the lookout for any interesting birds even though I am not a birder but a picture taker who will photograph them along with anything else of interest. We hit nearly all of my target plant species including Adansonia, Adenia, Adenium, Aloe, Cyphostemma, Moringa, and Pachypodium plus a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Who knows, there might even be a picture of, gasp!, a Lithops!.
Speaker Coordinator: Vonn Watkins Email
All are welcome!
Meetings consist of a brief message with announcements from the president, an informative program, a raffle, door prizes, refreshments, and free plants (for members).
For the January meeting we are asking members whose last names begin with “A” through “G” to bring finger food that would serve 10-12 people. It’s MUCH appreciated!!
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month from January thru November.
Location: St. Phillips in the Hills Episcopal Church - Murphey Gallery
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
4440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718
Our meetings are held at the Murphey Gallery at St. Philip's in the Hills Church, located at the northeast corner of River and Campbell. The property can be accessed from westbound River Road by turning into the driveway before the light at Campbell. Watch for St. Philip's signs. Going north on Campbell, take an immediate right onto the property after you go through the intersection.
We look forward to seeing you there!
We also offer a Zoom presentation
When you sign in to the Zoom you’re entered into a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to local nurseries.
