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Native Plant Society of Texas
2024 Fall Symposium Logo in White

Our Symposia

Self-Guided Field Trips

Meghan James, Texas Blackland, Prairies, Herbertia caerulea

WHAT TO DO WHEN COMING AND GOING

Self-guided field trips are interesting stops and field trips you can take on your own while traveling to and from the symposium or during down time. No NPSOT registration is required for self-guided field trips, but please check with any site of interest to plan your visit with regard to directions, hours, tickets and registrations, accessibility, and possible changes due to weather, fire-risk, road closures, or maintenance.

IN SALADO

 

Self-Guided Salado City Gardens – Walk the Magic Mile

Address: Throughout the village; along Main Street to Salado Museum and College Park
2 Miles/5 Minutes (From Middle School) Map Provided with Registration Packet. 
Description: The Village of Salado takes great pride in the advancements made restoring native plants in the landscape. The Tonkawa Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas has been instrumental in recommending and planting these gardens. Sites include the Green Walking Bridge Garden on Main Street, the old Salado College Ruins, the Historic Cabins and Church, Salado Middle School, Victorian Oaks Garden, and Salado Elementary School.  There is a weekend shuttle that runs on Main Street. Parking is available if you prefer to drive. 
Difficulty: Paved access for gardens along with ADA Accessible crushed granite paths.     
Wheelchair/ADA Accessible: Yes, except for College Park 
Facilities: Rest rooms at various locations throughout the village.
 
 

Chalk Ridge Falls Park

Description: This park along the Lampasas River features hiking trails, a suspension bridge & waterfalls.
Highlights: Public restroom · Dogs allowed
Address: 5600 FM1670, Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (254) 939-2461
Link 

ON THE WAY

 

Texas Parks & Wildlife Great Texas Wildlife Trails:  Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail

This region runs from Brownwood near the Panhandle down through Marble Falls and Johnson City before heading east to Austin and Bastrop and south to San Marcos and San Antonio. Tour native nature centers, private ranches and state parks or go right in the heart of Austin, the state capitol, to see the largest urban population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats. Head down to the South Texas brush country near Laredo for a more rugged terrain. 

Overview and Information for 15 Wildlife Loops in the Heart of Texas

 

More Fall Symposium Details

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