Kerrville Chapter

November – NO CHAPTER MEETING – Field Trip to Texastopia on 11/12

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There is no in person Chapter Meeting this month but there is a field trip to Texatopia on Saturday November 12th, 8:00 am-12:00 pm

This field trip is limited to 30 active members of our chapter.  Sign up here. Read “Texastopia – A Permaculture Dream Come True” and visit Drought Proof Texas for more information about Pete’s mission to “rehydrate the entire state of Texas”. Our host – Joseph “Pete” Van Dyck grew up under the shade of oak trees and woke to the sound of roosters crowing on a homestead southeast of Oklahoma City. He was a competitive swimmer for 12 years and developed a strong work ethic and sense of determination. This is where his deep connection with water began. After graduating high school, he then volunteered to serve in the United States Navy and underwent some of the most rigorous military training in the world at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School. Being comfortable and skillful in the water was key to his success in this program. Joseph served at SEAL Team 1 and was honorably discharged after 6 years of active duty. During his service in San Diego, California the ocean captured his attention and he learned to surf, spending countless hours at the beach studying the water and waves. After his service with the Navy he has relentlessly pursued a lifestyle of land restoration after realizing the connectedness of the health of the land, health of the water, and the health of humans. Using the GI Bill he attended a heavy equipment operator and construction course where he learned how to safely operate equipment and run job sites. Joseph has attended many land planning design courses and farm design with world-renowned designers including Darren Doherty, Geoff Lawton and Mark Shepard. He has volunteered his services with the non-profit Earth Repair Corps to farmers and homesteaders all over central Texas, helping them to conserve soil, water, and money. Aside from his outstanding record of volunteerism he also runs a small business that specializes in soil and water conservation that has worked and consulted on over 100 sites around Texas since 2015. Now he lives in Blanco, Texas and is building a farm that will demonstrate how to regeneratively manage the land while making a sustainable profit. When not working to drought proof Texas, Joseph loves to read, swim, play guitar, and dream about healing landscapes on a broad scale.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: beckyleal

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