Tell us about your current role as president of the oldest cactus club in America. What does it entail, and what your experience has been so far?
Our primary goal for the club is to stimulate interest in the conservation of cacti and succulents and promote the culture and development of our hobby. The club had been around for almost 100 years, so inheriting the legacy of the club is something that I am honored by. So far it’s been an amazing experience. It’s a lot of work and tiring sometimes, but it’s all to ensure that the community thrives for years to come.
As the president, I oversee various aspects of our organization’s activities. I provide the overall direction and vision for the club, setting goals, and motivating members to achieve them. I oversee the planning and execution of club activities, such as meetings, events, and projects. I act as the primary spokesperson for the club so I communicate with members and other clubs and work to foster a sense of community. There is the unseen managing tasks like maintaining club records, handling finances, and ensuring compliance with any relevant regulations or guidelines.
Overall, the board of directors and I make sure everything operates smoothly and effectively. We also sweep the floors after meetings.
When did you get into the hobby, and what were some of your first plants?
There’s a term called “Plant blindness” that refers to the tendency of humans to overlook or undervalue the importance of plants in their environment. I really started to notice plants around 2017, specifically cacti and the Trichocereus genus via the Chavin de Huantar cultural site in Peru. I went down the rabbit hole and consumed all the information I can find about the plants I was interested in. I learned of the club after reading about Copiapoa and seeing a flier for a presentation about them. I had an audio recording of that meeting with my phone and listened to it on my drive back home and a few times after that.
What are some of the most memorable places you've travelled to see the plants you grow in their natural habitat?
There’s a term called “Plant blindness” that refers to the tendency of humans to overlook or undervalue the importance of plants in their environment. I really started to notice plants around 2017, specifically cacti and the Trichocereus genus via the Chavin de Huantar cultural site in Peru. I went down the rabbit hole and consumed all the information I can find about the plants I was interested in. I learned of the club after reading about Copiapoa and seeing a flier for a presentation about them. I had an audio recording of that meeting with my phone and listened to it on my drive back home and a few times after that.
What are some of your current favorite plants in your collection?
My favorite place to go right now is the Anza Borrego Desert. I go 3-4 times a year. It’s so full of life. I went this past March with a group of friends and got a chance to see a remote population of Bursera microphylla.
I haven’t been to Mexico yet, but San Luis Potosi is at the top of the list.
I need to renew my passport so I kind of live vicariously through the club and our speakers at the moment. I get to go to parts of South Africa one month and the Chile the next.
