"Wildscapes" with Terri Walker, Cross Timbers Chapter Meeting, Weatherford, Tuesday 4/23/2024 at 6 p.m.
2024-04-23 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Please plan to join us for a great presentation on Wildscapes by Ms. Terri Walker, Cross Timbers Chapter member and Master Gardener.

Terri Walker is a member of the Cross Timbers Native Plant Society and a Parker County Master Gardener. She retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2017, where she spent years analyzing plant composition in the fields of Parker County, as well as in other locations.

The problems of habitat destruction and the introduction of plant species where they do not naturally occur are having a calamitous effect on our environment and its non-human residents. That effect is compounded by climate change. What can we do to improve this predicament? Terri will explain:

what a wildscape is

why wildscapes are needed, and

how to build a wildscape that could collectively help save our planet.

Meeting Details:

Location: Mount Pleasant School, 213 Raymond George Way, Weatherford, Texas.

6:00 p.m. Chapter Business Meeting and Update on Native Plant Sale

6:30 p.m. Educational Program

“Get Real” Garden Design with Native Plants
2024-04-23 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Fredericksburg Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas Speaker Paula Stone on April 23

Find out how to make your landscape maintenance easier by choosing the right layout, the right style and the best plants for your area at the next meeting of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT), Fredericksburg Chapter on April 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Halle.

Paula Stone, Vice President of the Fredericksburg Chapter of the NPSOT, will share her extensive knowledge about landscape design using native Texas plants.

“I’ll show you practical ways to build gardens that will enhance your property and be less work as time goes by,” noted Stone. “I once heard someone say that, ‘The gardening should get easier as the gardener gets older.’”

“Paula is a great teacher when it comes to learning how to minimize weeding and watering while maximizing entertainment and enjoyment,” said Deborah Simmons, president of the Fredericksburg chapter of NPSOT. “She’ll explore ways to make that happen in our Hill Country gardens.”

Over the last 15 years, Stone has tried various plants and gardening techniques to deal with the caliche soil, lack of rainfall, excessive heat, and occasional ice storm that are common to Gillespie County. Her presentation will take that all into account as she describes what’s needed in an easy-to-maintain native landscape. Stone hopes that people new to gardening in the Hill Country will benefit from the many tips she will be sharing.

Stone is a three-term past president of the NPSOT Fredericksburg Chapter, and has been gardening in Fredericksburg since purchasing her property in 2009. Stone bought and restored a historic stone home on the edge of Fredericksburg and took the property from being so derelict that the realtor wouldn’t go inside to being on the 2012 Historic Home Tour. The 10 acres surrounding the house were in equally horrific condition, having been an exotic game farm/puppy mill that had “every conceivable weed that will grow in the hill country” says Stone. She recently built a dome home on the property and is designing the landscape that will surround it.

The chapter holds its monthly meetings on the 4th Tuesday of the month at St. Joseph’s Halle (212 W. San Antonio St., Fredericksburg). There is a social time at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person and via online streaming (www.youtube.com/@fredericksburgtexasnativeg4884). More information is online at Facebook (@fbgtxnpsot), Instagram @npsot_fredericksburg_chapter, and https://npsot.org/chapters/fredericksburg/. Meetings are open to the public.

Identification Tools for Native Plant ID
2024-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
This will be a “hybrid” meeting, attend in-person or online.

In person: The Gathering Center at the Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 NW Military Hwy

Online: Please register in advance to attend via Zoom.

Presentation by Zach RitchieIdentification Tools for Native Plant ID

Learning the biodiversity of native species in Texas can be daunting. Gain the tools to identify the native plants of Bexar county and more through this lecture. Use taxonomy, morphology and plant keys to contribute to the growing collection of observations on iNaturalist during the bioblitz.

Zach Ritchie – SABOT Conservation and Collections Technician

If you are attending in person, there is no need to register. However, if you are attending via Zoom, please register here before the meeting begins as late registration and entry will not be allowed. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Note: The Zoom meeting is limited to 100 viewers at any time. If our Zoom meeting participants exceed that number online, you may not be able to access the meeting live. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the meeting will be available within days after the meeting on our YouTube channel.

Earth Fest at UTRGV Brownsville
2024-04-24 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us at Earth Day Celebration at UTRGV’s Brownsville campus. We will have an information table at the Student Union Lawn. Help is welcome.

Questions? rio-grande-valley-chapter@gmail.com

Native Garden Workday
2024-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Texas Museum of Handmade Furniture, 1370 Churchill Drive, New Braunfels, Texas, 78130, United States
Please join us at the Texas Museum of Handmade Furniture to help maintain the Lindheimer Chapter’s native demonstration garden. Please bring water, closed toe shoes, gloves, and your favorite gardening tools. Contact Craig Bruska at craigbruska@hotmail.com for details and to confirm the workday.

How to Start Your Own Native Plant Butterfly Garden
2024-04-25 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
ACE 21st Century Earth Day Family Event: Volunteer to present before a group of Russell Elementary School parents on How to Start Your Own Native Plant Butterfly Garden.

Russell Elementary School, Brownsville.

If anyone would like to help, let me know. rio-grande-valley-chapter@gmail.com

April Trinity Forks Business Meeting & Program - Native Bees
2024-04-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
6:30pm – Social time7:00pm – Zoom opens and meeting begins

We hope you can join our meeting in person at TWU’s Ann Stuart Science Complex. Campus parking is openafter 6:00pm.
If you can’t join us in person, we invite you to our Zoom meeting.ZOOM PARTICIPANTS ONLY: Please Register in advance forthis meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodeCtrzoiE9LnBQR0XcOYymsF2Li5-B4G
After registering, youwill receive a confirmation email containinginformation about joining the meeting.

This event is sponsored by the Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, You can attend this meeting Live at Ann Stuart Science Complex, TWU, Denton, OR via Zoom (see registration link below).

Elm Fork Master Naturalists President Kathryn Wells will be presenting on Native Bees.

Native Plants – Where Would We Be Without Them?
2024-04-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
https://zoom.us/j/99094828078

Topic: There is an intrinsic relationship between our native plants, insects, birds and land and marine mammals. Insects, which appeared on Earth about 480 million years ago, have co-evolved with plants. Native Oaks, for instance, support over 500 species of caterpillars. Native milk weed maintains the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly that we all love to watch and nurture on their twice-a-year migration. The important role played by natives cannot be over-stated.

This event is sponsored by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.

In his presentation, Bob Dailey will discuss the important ecoregions that constitute Montgomery County and neighboring areas. He will also speak to the planting and care of natives.

Speaker: Bob is a writer and lecturer on native plants, water and soil conservation, and organic gardening; a Master Gardener and a Master Naturalist. He grew up on a farm in South Louisiana (way south) and spent his time as a youth wandering through pine forests, cypress swamps, and open fields. He also raised chickens, milked cows and baled hay; all bringing him close to nature every day. Attending a 4-room elementary school, he later took time to attend university. He has written hundreds of articles both online and in print. He maintains a website (gulfcoastgardening.com) where he promotes organic gardening, native plants, soil culture, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and water conservation.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99094828078

2024 City Nature Challenge - Bioblitz
2024-04-26 00:00 - 2024-04-29 23:30 (America/Chicago)
Started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), the CNC is an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal.

Help your city out in this challenge using iNaturalist.

For more information see the event website.

Texas Wildflower Day!
2024-04-27 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Chicago)
The fourth Saturday in April is Texas Wildflower Day!

The state NPSOT Social Media campaign will begin on April 21st with wildflower images all week and culminate on the actual Wildflower Day. If anyone has great wildflower images, please post them on our Facebook page and I can use them to contribute to the state Facebook page.

Questions? rio-grande-valley-chapter@gmail.com

Keep Mercedes Beautiful - Trees in the Ground
2024-04-27 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Come out and volunteer with Keep Mercedes Beautiful. Morning and afternoon shifts available. Sign up.

If anyone has any questions, let me know. rio-grande-valley-chapter@gmail.com

Texas Wildflower Day
2024-04-27 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)

NLCP Level 1 Montgomery, Grimes and Walker Counties
2024-04-27 08:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
Details and Registration Information

Dowell Ranch Thistle Thwack!
2024-04-27 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us to help our partners at NPAT for an invasive species THISTLE THWACK at Dowell Ranch! (Just south of Austin).

Superstar volunteers needed on April 27th to help remove Maltese Star-Thistle. This aggressive plant has popped up in our front pasture restoration area and we need to remove them with people power before it goes to seed.

**** Bring water, gardening gloves, pruner, hand trowel, and muscle power ****

Please RSVP here – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nativeprairiesassociationoftexas/1212474

Trinity Forks Spring 2024 Plant Sale
2024-04-27 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Time: 10:00am-12:00noon or sellout

Location: Flower Mound High School, 3411 Peters Colony (for your GPS) – In the back parking lot at Sagebrush Drive and Old Settlers Road, at the Keep Flower Mound Beautiful Spring Trash-off and Environmental Fair – see Map

We’ll have:Over 2000 native plantsKnowledgeable volunteersLow prices

Bring your own flats or boxes and cash, check or credit card! We’ll see you there!

Chandor Nature Trail "Spruce Up", Volunteer Opportunity, Cross Timbers Chapter, Weatherford, Sunday, 4/28/2024
2024-04-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Spruce Up Days

Nature Trail “Spruce Up” volunteer day from noon until 2:00 PM. Late comers are welcome. Interested volunteers can contact Cross Timbers trail steward Christie Tull, at greenwoodfarminc@aol.com or call 817-307-9307. See you on the trail!

About the Nature Trail

Chandor Nature Trail is just under one mile long and is open for hikers and their leashed dogs free of charge during Chandor Garden hours. The Garden’s address is 711 W Lee Street in Weatherford.

Texas Riparian & Stream Ecosystem Workshop - Arroyo Colorado Watershed
2024-04-30 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago)
The training will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones and the benefits and direct impacts from healthy riparian zones. The riparian education programs will cover an introduction to riparian principles, watershed processes, basic hydrology, erosion/deposition principles and riparian vegetation, as well as potential causes of degradation and possible resulting impairment(s) and available local resources including technical assistance and tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation. These one-day trainings in watersheds across the state include both indoor classroom presentations and outdoor stream walks.

The goal is for participants to better understand and relate to riparian and watershed processes, the benefits that healthy riparian areas provide and the tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation and improve water quality.

Agenda: Open

RSVP by April 23, 2024: Register

Questions? rio-grande-valley-chapter@gmail.com

Habitat Workday @ EIH
2024-04-30 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Habitat volunteers help weed and mulch flower beds, plant native plants, maintain pathways, and trim trees and bushes. Volunteers may also help clean out the pond on select work days.

No experience necessary—we’ll show you what goes and what stays

Bring your own tools or use ours (we have gloves too)

Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle, hat, and sunscreen!

Volunteers must be 18 or older to participate in EIH’s workdays unless prior arrangements have been made.

We do not hold workdays when the university is officially closed. Also, workdays are canceled during inclement weather, though a light sprinkle or drizzle rarely keeps us out of the garden. If you’re not sure, please call 281-283-3950 or 281-283-3045, and we’ll let you know if we’re digging in.

LocationEnvironmental Institute of Houston (Click link for Google Map)University of Houston-Clear LakeNorth Office Annex (NOA) 1 Building2700 Bay Area Blvd.Houston, TX 77058

Medicinal Applications of Native Plants by Native Americans - April 30
2024-04-30 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
The Native Americans utilized many native plants for treatment of various illnesses for thousands of years. Unfortunately, much of this knowledge was set aside when synthetic medicines became widely available.

Join us for a special meeting where we welcome Ricky Linex, President of the Native Plant Society of Texas, as he showcases 45 native Texas forbs, shrubs and trees that were used medicinally by many tribes across Texas and the southern US. The treatment method and the illness or disease treated will be discussed for each plant. Resources will be shown that can be used to research plants you are interested in to see what tribes might have used the plants.

A link for remote attendance will be posted as the date gets near.

Location: South Texas Ecotourism Center, 501 Hwy 100, Laguna Vista, Tx.

Questions? rio-grande-valley-chapter@gmail.com

Dairy to Prairie - Julie Mattox
2024-05-01 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
Lakes and Pines Chapter Meeting – Topic: Dairy to Prairie, Presented by Julie Mattox

Joshua Byrne, Fort Worth Zoo, North Central Chapter Meeting
2024-05-02 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Insect and Native Plant Interactions

Joshua Byrne has been passionate about insects since before he could talk, and once he was able to it was all he talked about. He has kept and studied invertebrates privately for over twenty years, as well as professionally through the Iowa State Insect Zoo, Little Rock Zoo, and currently the Fort Worth Zoo. He has a bachelor’s degree in animal ecology from Iowa State University, but was extremely happy to move to Texas where the weather is warmer and the insects are bigger!

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.

Pines and Prairies Board Meeting
2024-05-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Zoom Link

May 4 - 8:00am-3:30pm - Native Landscape Certification Program, Level 4
2024-05-04 03:00 - 03:30 (America/Chicago)
NLCP Classes

On May 4, the chapter will offer Level 4 of the Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) with instructors Kathy Ward and Veronica Hawk. This workshop will focus on land stewardship. As more land is developed, good examples of healthy, natural habitats are disappearing. This is an opportunity to learn how to create an effective land stewardship plan and how to restore/rehabilitate wildlife habitats in the greenspaces, backyards and parks around our community. Learn how to assess what is present, set and prioritize goals, and monitor the effectiveness of your effort. We will tour the Cibolo Nature Center and learn to recognize habitats and how this beautiful property is maintained as an example to emulate.

The Level 4 class does not have a pre-requisite. The purpose of this class is to learn how to care for a public or private property, to contribute to a healthy environment and to add to our homegrown national park. Check out the website (https://www.npsot.org/our-work/class-schedule/) and register today!Native Landscape Certification Program Level 1 – Introduction to Native Landscapes, will be presented at Cibolo Nature Center on April 6 by Brenda Fest, Ed Noack, Gary Fest and Terry Lashley. This class is full, but a waiting list is maintained in registration:

If you have taken any of the NLCP classes and would like to be an instructor, please contact Veronica at veronica.hawk@gmail.com for details.

Level 1 - Introduction to Native Landscapes
2024-05-04 08:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
In-person class is FULL. Online option is open as of 4/4/24.

Learn about the benefits of native plants, desirable plants for your area and design considerations for your landscape. NLCP is a state-wide program, but classes focus on the characteristics and plants in the region in which they are taught.

NOTE: This class is hosted by the Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) and is specific to the Houston-Galveston area.

Level 1 is a prerequisite for Levels 2 and 3.

Native Plant Sale, First Monday Trade Days, Cross Timbers Chapter, Weatherford, Saturday, 5/4/2024 at 9 a.m.
2024-05-04 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for our 2024 Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 4th.

Available Plants

The current list of available plants is located at: https://www.npsot.org/chapters/cross-timbers/cross-timbers-plant-sale-list-spring-2024/ This list will be updated as the sale gets closer.

Where to Find Us…

Weatherford First Mondays Trade Days — our booth is located in the south parking lot across from where Lee Street ends into Santa Fe Drive. See map below for approximate location.

Flyer may be downloaded from Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VwNwN9Ut-aMRQqPdSPCGkgnbAXHixiAa/view?usp=drive_link

Chapter Members

Please see April newsletter for volunteer opportunities and discounts.

Spring Plant Sale, River Legacy Parks Elm Grove Pavilion in Arlington
2024-05-04 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago)
River Legacy Parks Elm Grove Pavilion

701 NW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, Texas 76006

The North Central Chapter holds two native plant sales each year, one in Spring and one in Fall. The Sales feature a large variety of Texas Native Plant species good for our soils and climate. Native Plants make healthy Habitats:

No need for pesticides or fertilizers

Low water needs once established

Host plants for Butterflies

Nectar Plants for Pollinators

Plant Sale NPSOT Dallas – May 4, 2024
2024-05-04 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Save the date! Join us for our plant sale at Native Plants and Prairie Day on May 4, a free event celebrating our Blackland Prairies! Don’t miss this chance to add new native plants to your landscape and support your local NPSOT chapter.

Details

When and Where

When: May 4 10:00-4:00 (or until sold out)

Location: Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake 521 E Lawther Dr Dallas, TX 75218

Plant List

The current plant list can be found on our Plant Sale page. Please note that this list is still being updated and will change as the sale approaches.

Q2 State Board Meeting - May 4
2024-05-04 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Chapter members are welcome, but not everyone may vote. Voting members include chapter presidents, executive officers, and state standing committee chairs.

Native Plant Society of Texas members receive an email with a registration link about one week prior to the State Board meeting. Please watch for it and come to the meeting!

Collin County - Stiff Creek Wildflower Walk
2024-05-05 09:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
A GUIDED TOUR OF LOCAL WILDFLOWERS

The 22nd Annual Stiff Creek Wildflower Walk is a wonderful opportunity to learn about native plants for people of all ages. Members of the Native Plant Society of Texas will help you identify native wildflowers growing in the countryside.

What to Wear: Long pants, closed toe shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended.

What to Bring: your camera, wildflower guides, binoculars, swimsuit (if you want), and a brunch item to share after the walk. We plan to start at 9:30 with brunch around noon. Please bring your brunch item ready to be served. We can keep your items hot or cold but cannot cook or heat them.

Directions: 4545 CR 412, McKinney, TX 75071 (Home of Brett and Brigette Laplante)

From the intersection of Hwy 5 (N McDonald Street) and Hwy 380 in McKinney, go east on 380 about 1 mile to Woodlawn Ave (CR 331) where there is a Circle K service station on the northeast corner. Turn left and go 2.1 miles to the end of Woodlawn. Turn left on Texas Farm Road 2933 (no sign) and go 3.5 miles to CR 412. Turn right on 412 but it is more like going straight as 2933 curves to the left. Go about 1.2 miles and turn left into the driveway at 4545 CR 412. You can park along the driveway. You will see trucks and a flatbed trailer with hay bales for the wildflower walk.

May Leadership Meeting
2024-05-06 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Chapter Leadership meeting: our officers will meet from 6pm – 7pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Let me know and I will send you the meeting invitation.

Our Chapter Leadership consists of:

Roberto Gaitan – PresidentEva Ryan – Vice PresidentMaki House – TreasurerJames Grizzard – SecretaryDevin Johnston – Membership ChairRichard Blanton – Communications Chair

Anyone wishing to lead a program, champion a project, etc., please let me know. The more help the better our chapter will become.

rio-grande-valley-chapter@npsot.org

(Our virtual Leadership Meetings will be held monthly on the 1st Monday and begin at 6pm.)
