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Native Plant Society of Texas

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#TXBookChat LIVE: Naturalist’s Austin: A Guide to the Plants and Animals of Central Texas with authors Lynne and Jim Weber on August 19

August 19, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join the Texas Center for the Book on August 19, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for #TXBookChat LIVE:Naturalist’s Austin: A Guide to the Plants and Animals of Central Texas with authors Lynne and Jim Weber. Hosted in the Public Event Space at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, Capitol Complex, 1201 Brazos St., Austin.

Michele Chan Santos, coordinator of the Center for the Book, will conduct an in-person interview with the authors, discussing their new book Naturalist’s Austin: A Guide to the Plants and Animals of Central Texas. This beautifully photographed book demonstrates the natural diversity found in the urban wildscapes of the Texas capital city and beyond. With clarity and depth of knowledge, Naturalist’s Austin: A Guide to the Plants and Animals of Central Texas includes nearly 700 species of plants and animals native to the region.

This event is free and open to the public.

More information on planning your visit—including parking, accessibility, and other Texas history and library research resources available on-site—is available at www.tsl.texas.gov/visit.

Register here.

Books will not be available on site but can be purchased ahead of time by ordering at Texas A&M University Press, use the coupon code TS20 for 20 percent off. The authors will be available to sign books at the conclusion of the event.

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