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Native Plant Society of Texas

Fredericksburg Chapter

Arlon Motsch – January speaker – Transforms Lawn into Native Plant Haven and Photography Studio

View “Planting for Small Wildlife Support” now on  Fredericksburg Texas Native Gardening YouTube Channel

Driven by a commitment to water conservation and wildlife support, Arlon Motsch replaced his traditional grass lawn with a variety of Texas native plants. He will share how he overcame the challenges of plant selection and community skepticism while enhancing his home’s aesthetics and sparking a passion for insect photography.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the things that worked and those that didn’t while converting our lawn into a pollinator paradise,” said Motsch. “I’m also going to share a lot of close-up insect photos and discuss the potential for homeowners to create sustainable landscapes that benefit both the environment and their personal hobbies.”

Motsch has lived near Center Point for seven years and moved there from Midland, TX. He is an avid
amateur photographer who has embraced the world of digital photography on many levels. He is well versed in many types of photography, but has a strong personal interest in macro, close-up, wildlife and nature. He is retired and enjoys the outdoors, is an avid hiker, and enjoys kayaking, van camping and road tripping with camera in hand. He has been known to leave water behind on hikes to carry more camera gear, make U-turns on interstates to take a picture, drive many miles down dirt roads to take a picture, lay in mud, ants, and briars to take a picture, and landscape his yard for bug pictures.

“The vibrant ecosystem Arlon cultivated has provided the perfect setting for capturing detailed images of pollinators and other insects,” said Jonathan Watt, new Board President of the Fredericksburg chapter of NPSOT. “His photography, which now serves as both a creative endeavor and an educational tool, highlights the ecological value of native plants.”

NPSOT Fredericksburg 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 with snacks at 6:30 p.m. The meeting and presentation starts at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person or via online streaming. More information is online at Facebook, and Instagram.
Meetings are free and open to the public.

 

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason