Boerne Chapter

Boerne Chapter Meeting Tuesday, September 2

Join us at our Tuesday, September 2nd chapter meeting!

We are excited to host Edward “Eddie” Seidensticker, who will speak to us about Native Grasses of the Texas Hill Country.  

Eddie Seidensticker currently serves on the board of the Kendall Soil and Water Conservation District (Kendall SWCD #216). Kendal SWCD’s mission is to encourage the wise and productive use of natural resources. It is their goal to ensure the availability of those resources for future generations so that all Texans’ present and future needs can be met in a manner that promotes a clean, healthy environment and strong economic growth.

In addition, Eddie serves on the Board of the Kendall County Historical Commission.

Eddie was raised on the family ranch near Waring, Texas. After graduation from Southwest Texas State University, he worked for the Soil Conservation Service for 40 years. After several assignments all over the state, he last served as a coastal erosion specialist in Baytown, Texas. After retirement, he and his wife, Jackie, returned to the family ranch in Waring.

About NPSOT Boerne Meetings: Join us for our monthly chapter meetings. You do not need to be a member to attend. We meet the first Tuesday of each month.

Our meetings start with a social time at 6:00pm. Announcements will begin at 6:45pm, followed by the presentation. For the social time, please bring any snacks/appetizers/desserts that you would like to share.

Meeting Location: Hunke Hall, 33 Herff Farm Road, Boerne

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