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Native Plant Society of Texas

Highland Lakes Chapter

March 18 Meeting

Our next Highland Lakes Native Plant Society meeting is Saturday, March 18, 2023, 1:00-3:00 at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main ST.  

Alison Baylis, the Regional Urban Ecologist for Texas A&M Forest Service, will present Protecting our trees in the Highland Lakes, developing an urban forest.

Baylis’ presentation will follow a 30 minute chapter business meeting.  Her talk  will be recorded for viewing on YouTube several days after the meeting.

Alison will cover this topics.

  • The benefits of trees – Why should trees be prioritized in our communities? 
  • The impact of development on the urban forest – How can they coexist?
  • The municipal perspective – How communities can get started, tools, and small town examples.
  • Ordinances – A look at tree protection ordinances across Texas.
  • Where do we go from here?  What are the first steps?

Baylis is the Regional Urban Ecologist for Texas A&M Forest Service. In this role she helps central Texas communities develop sustainable programs that provide Texans with healthy trees and forests. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology, specializing in ecology, evolution, and behavior, from The University of Texas at Austin and is a current graduate student in the Master of Natural Resources program with a concentration in urban forestry at Oregon State University. Her career has focused on education in roles for Texas A&M Forest Service, Barton Springs Conservancy, and The University of Texas at Austin. She is also an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, Master Naturalist, and certified Project Learning Tree educator.

The presentation qualifies for Master Naturalist and Master Gardener AT.

Meeting information can be found on the Native Plant Society, Highland Lakes Chapter website and Facebook.

Chapter Website:  https://www.npsot.org/wp/highlandlakes/

Facebook page:  http/www.facebook.com/HLNPSOT/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason