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Organization: Austin

Chapter

Fall Plant Sale Fundraiser is Coming

We’re excited to announce our fall plant sale fundraiser! It will be on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 10am to 2pm (or until sold out). Starting this fall, the plant

Chapter

State of the Union: Nominating Season

Dear NPSOT Austin Members, It’s that time of the year again.  Our Bylaws require that we form a nominations committee in August to recruit officers for the coming year. I

Activity

Austin NLCP Level 1 Class Registration Open

Registration is open for the Austin Chapter’s Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) Level 1 class on October 18 and 19. Learn about the benefits of native plants, desirable plants for

Plants of the Month

August 2023 Plants of the Month

Here are our hardy survivors this month. Click on the images for more details about each plant Rock Rose Hoary False Goldenaster Flameleaf Sumac Snakeherb Western Ironweed Texas Lantana

Plant List

Austin Plant Sale List

Here are the plants available in our upcoming plant sale on October 7, 2023. You can view the gallery of available plants below or use the table at the end

Chapter

Priority Volunteer Job Descriptions

If you are interested in any of these volunteer positions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteernpsotaustin@gmail.com President-Elect (2024)

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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