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Native Plant Society of Texas

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Insects:Nature’s Pollinators

May 24 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Location: The Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231

This is a two-part event:

Part 1: Families with upper elementary age children and adults should arrive by 7:50 am to register for an 8 am sharp Entomology Talk covering types of insect, morphology, and the critical role of insects as pollinators. Then join families with younger children on the savanna for an hour of insect catch, ID, and release. We will provide nets.

Part 2: Families with younger children should arrive and sign-in by 8:50 to join the earlier group as it moves from the classroom to the savanna.

Special Note: Definitely wear long pants and bring insect repellant and, sunscreen. We will be walking on sunny grassy areas.

Our objective is to learn about insects, identify some of the more common species found in our local area, and learn the role of insects in the environment. The event will be led by Nicolas Phillips an expert student of Entomology, an award-winning insect collector, and an Integrated Pest Control professional. Nicolas has been an enthusiast and lover of insects since early childhood and brings his passion and knowledge to our park.

The morning begins in the small classroom with an hour overview of all you ever wanted to know about these arthropods. We will then move to the nearby savanna where families with younger children will join us to catch, ID, and release insects. Nicolas will identify and elaborate upon our captured specimens to explain general concepts. The netted insects are then released back into nature. The park is a great place to find a variety of interesting insects.

Please arrive on the patio at 7:50 am SHARP (or by 8:50 am SHARP for families with young children). Minors must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Dogs are not appropriate for this event. DIFFICULTY: Easy, geared to families with children, as well as interested adults. This will not be a hike and should end around 10:00 am.

Donations of $3 individual or $5 family to the PHP Conservancy are suggested, to support park educational activities. Parents interested in learning more nature for their children can go to https://txmn.org/alamo/area-resources/natural-areas-and-linear-creekways-guide/family-nature-guides/

This event’s general sponsors are the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department’s Natural Area Office, Alamo Area Master Naturalists, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.

Contact Stan Drezek (stanwendre@gmail.com) for additional information or questions.

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Organizer: npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com

Organizer: npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com

San Antonio Chapter

View Organizer Website

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 four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason