List collected by Renata Lucia, Administrative Assistant, and Stephanie Long, VP Communication
Summer is (basically) here!!! It sure feels like it anyway. That means graduations, road trips, and outdoor fun. For me, I try to pry myself away from screens as much as possible to enjoy the Texas outdoors. Renata and I pulled together a short list of fun, outdoor activities that might interest NPSOT members. Don’t forget sun-protection and have a great summer!
If your chapter is hosting outdoor activities/workdays or if you know of a nature-focused, family friendly event that you would like to see on the list, please email Stephanie Long, VP Communication or Renata Lucia, Administrative Assistant.
Nature Nights at the Wildflower Center
If the Texas heat is a bit much, try these evening activities. Every Thursday in June the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center hosts free, family-friendly evenings filled with exciting explorations of native plants, animals, and the ecology of Central Texas.
- June 9 – 40 Years of Wildflowers
- June 16 – Birds of Prey & Reptiles
- June 23 – Pollinators & the Plants They Love
- June 30 – Mud, Water & Caves
iNaturalist Projects
If you just can’t stop taking pictures of plants, then iNaturalist is for you. While major events like the City Nature bioblitz may have ended, you can still use iNaturalist to join other projects or create your own! There are several ongoing projects for Texas plants, animals, and bugs. You can also create your own projects and challenges and invite fellow NPSOT members to join.
Nature Rocks!
Take “Nature Rocks Texas” Family Outings: This program is designed by Texas Children in Nature with their regional partners to help connect families to nature in their communities through play and exploration. Click here to select a location from eight areas across Texas and find current nature-based activities and events, green spaces, nature centers, and parks near you.
I-35 Monarch Waystations
Visit Our I-35 Monarch Waystations: If you are traveling along I-35, you can visit the pollinator gardens of our Monarch Waystation projects at Bell County north-bound and south-bound rest stops, or at Hill County north-bound and south-bound rest stops. These rest areas act as waystations to both humans and pollinators. They provide food, shelter, and rest for all. You can read more about the Monarch Highway, butterfly gardening, and buy native milkweed seeds at our partner’s site, monarchjointventure.org.
Start a Plant Collection
Go Digital With Your Own Native Plant Collection: It’s also a great time to start your own digital plant collection by following these instructions from Kaitlin Lavender, member of our Cross Timbers NPSOT Chapter. Just be sure you brush up on the NPSOT policy for collection of plant material before you get started!
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