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Dallas Chapter

NPSOT Dallas August 21, 2023 meeting: Earth-Kind Landscaping

Katerina Velasco Graham, MS | Horticulture Extension Agent | Dallas County | Texas A&M AgriLife
Katerina Velasco Graham, MS | Horticulture Extension Agent | Dallas County | Texas A&M AgriLife

TOPIC: Earth-Kind Landscaping is a term coined by Dr. Steve George that uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum garden and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting the environment.

Regenerative Research and Teaching Earth-Kind Landscaping – Presentation handout (PDF 14 MB)

SPEAKER: Join Katerina Velasco Graham, the Dallas County Horticulture Extension Agent, to learn more about this nature based approach.

Katerina holds a B.S. in Animal Science from LSU, an M.Agr. in Wildlife Management with a
minor in Environmental Education from Texas A&M, and an M.S. in Horticulture with an
emphasis in Entomology from Oregon State University. In addition, she holds an 8-12 teaching
certificate in Biology and Spanish and an organic vegetable gardening certificate from Urban
Harvest in Houston.

As a stay-at-home mom in Houston, Katerina worked part-time in various positions: a laboratory
technician at an infertility clinic, a naturalist and Environmental Educator at two nature centers, a
soil yard customer service staff member, a contract instructor for gifted and talented ISD
programs, an Environmental Education Programs manager for The Woodlands Township, and a
Biology and Spanish teacher at a title 1 high school. She was also very active as a volunteer:
her efforts resulted in a nature trail for a charter school, two school gardens, a garden and
natural playground for a nature center, and an 80-bed donation community garden for The
Woodlands Township.

In 2020, after receiving her degree from OSU, Katerina worked full time for the USDA’s
Agricultural Research Service in Corvallis, Oregon as research assistant in the Lee Biocontrol
Lab. In 2022 she moved back to Texas to join Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service as the Horticulture Agent for Dallas County.

Katerina grew up in Quito, Ecuador. She has two children, 28 and 24, and lives in Rowlett with
her husband Jeff and three cats: Minnu, Pookie and Lil’bit.

Monthly Meeting: August 21, 2023, at 6:30 with speaker beginning at 7pm.
As a reminder, anyone can attend. NPSOT membership is not required to join the monthly meetings.

Location: Gaston Christian Center’s Fellowship Hall
8515 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243
(google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/f56RmuSnjn9Z6RQQ6)

If you can’t join in person, log on using this link: https://npsot-org.zoom.us/j/83725236133?pwd=QkhWN24zR2xlT3QrcnE5bEI5cndwUT09

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. 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 four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason