Open day at Los Rincones Preserve

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Texas Land Conservancy will host an Open Preserve Day at their Los Rincones Preserve in southwest Kerrville on Saturday, May 12th, from 8am to 4pm. Normally closed to the public, its steep limestone canyons are home to the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and a diversity of native grasses, flowers, cactus, and trees. This property is great for hiking, bird watching, picnicking, plant and wildlife observation, environmental education, nature photography and any other outdoor activities!

Texas Land Conservancy (TLC) invites members and potential members who might be interested in having access to a normally closed piece of private property to visit Los Rincones on May 12th. They extend a special invitation to Texas Master Naturalist chapters from across the state to host an advanced training/field trip type event during their Open Preserve Day.

Questions may be directed to Maren McLaughlin-Klotz, Director of Partnerships and Outreach, at maren@texaslandconservancy.org or by calling 512. 301.6363.

As a non-profit entity with a deep connection to the conservation of native plant communities, the Native Plant Society of Texas takes pleasure in endorsing and supporting the work of affiliated organizations. Texas Land Conservancy (TLC) is a statewide land conservation organization working to protect the land, water, and wildlife in Texas. To learn more about their work, visit www.texaslandconservancy.org.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: suzannetuttle

About the Region

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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