Loading Events

Teddi Zonker Creating a Suburban Oasis for Pollinators, North Central Chapter Meeting

February 6, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 8:30 pm

Creating a Suburban Oasis for Pollinators
What are the best practices for creating a suburban oasis?  Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and NPOST member Teddi Zonker will discuss the best plants to add to your landscape, the difference between host and nectar plants, and so much more!  Learn all about the synergies of butterflies, bees and birds in your garden.

Teddi Zonker is a self-taught butterfly hobbyist for nearly 20 years, award-winning photographer and local municipality fitness manager.  She is a Tarrant County Master Gardener, Cross Timbers Master Naturalist, Monarch Watch Monarch Conservation Specialist, member of the Native Plant Society of Texas and Native Prairies Association of Texas.  She has also completed the Native Landscape Certification Program and Volunteer Advanced Training/Entomology program.  Teddi is also a Garden Coach, helping others convert suburban landscapes into pollinator habitats and Monarch Waystations.  With a B. S. in Public Relations and a M.S. in Recreation and Leisure Studies, her goal is to educate others on the need for pollinator spaces and show how simple (and enjoyable) it is to meet this need starting with their own back (and front) yard!

Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Rose Room

3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107

6:15 Socializing and snacks

6:30 Business meeting and announcements

The presentation will follow our business meeting.

This meeting is hybrid; in person with a virtual Zoom option.

Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link: Zoom Registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Receive the latest native plant news

Subscribe To Our News

Subscribe to emails from the Native Plant Society of Texas.

Receive emails when new posts are added 4-6 times per month, or receive an email once a month.

Or join us on social media

About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. 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