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The Native Aquatic Plants of Texas – Williamson County Chapter Meeting, August 8

August 8 @ 7:00 pm 8:30 pm

Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, August 8, 2024, when our featured topic will be “The Native Aquatic Plants of Texas” with Casey Williams. 

Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  Our guest speaker’s presentation begins after a short business meeting.

Updated July 22: We will know closer to the date whether or not this guest presentation will be recorded for NPSOT-Williamson County’s YouTube channel. Check the NPSOT-Williamson County calendar for the latest info about plans to record this meeting. The meeting will be recorded for YouTube. The video will be published asap after the meeting date.

About our topic: While familiarity with Texas’ native flora is improving, many people overlook the diversity of Texas’ aquatic plants. This presentation will provide a basic understanding of what constitutes an aquatic plant, why they are important and highlight varying habitats and species found throughout Texas.

About our speaker: Casey is an aquatic ecologist and plant ecologist for a private consulting firm. He has been involved with aquatic plant biology, conservation and restoration since graduate school at Texas State University where he mapped and studied the aquatic plants of the San Marcos and Comal springs. He currently resides in San Marcos, Texas and spends his free time kayaking, hiking and traveling to find…. you guessed it. More aquatic plants.

NOTE: this month’s in-person location is the Georgetown Parks & Rec Administration Building, 1101 N College St, Georgetown, Texas 78626.

The link to register on Zoom is below.

The original meeting announcement is here on the Williamson County Chapter’s blog page.

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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