Prairie Rose Chapter

January Meeting. February and March 2018 Events

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Bring the Natives Home

Our speaker, January 22, 2018, the one and only Randy Johnson from Dallas. Most folks think of ‘wild spaces’ when the phrase ‘native plants’ is mentioned, but did you know that they transition very nicely into the home landscape? With an unparalleled expertise in the natural world, Randy will lead a walk and talk showing you how to transition to your home garden commonly seen native plants in the wild.

Our meeting will be at 6:30  in the Somervell County Citizens Center, 209 SW Barnard, Glen Rose.

 

Acton Nature Center Bird Walks

1st Saturday Bird Walks  Feb. 3RD, 2018 @7am FREE to All!!!
If you have them, bring binoculars and field guide.
Stroll along and learn with Dr. Billy Teels.
How many species will YOU see?

Feather Fest at Acton Nature Center March 24, 2018

Want to know more about the birds in your backyard?
The Acton Nature Center is hosting the 3rd Annual Feather Fest on Saturday, March 24.
This fun, free, and educational event is a celebration of all things birds, with activities for the whole family!
Activities include:
• educational presentations on birding
• raptors demonstrations, and
• craft activities for children
Visitors can also enjoy informational booths about
• Fossil Rim
• Cleburne State Park
• Dinosaur Valley State Park, and
• Native Plant Society
Bring your family to Acton Nature Center on March 24 to learn more about our feathered friends and the nature in your neighborhood. Admission is free and open to all ages.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: prairierose

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