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Clear Lake Chapter

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz September 22

In celebration of local biodiversity, the third annual Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz will be held on Friday, Sept. 22 at Galveston’s McGuire Dent Recreation Center, 2222 28th Street Galveston, TX 77550 at 4:30 p.m.

Using phone and iNaturalist app to identify pollinators

The BioBlitz will be an opportunity for residents to join other nature-lovers for an early evening lecture and adventure. Attendees will learn about native pollinators from local scientists, nature photographers and native pollinator expert Scott Buckel.

There will also be a tour of the McGuire Dent Victory Garden with the team from Galveston’s Own Farmers Market that maintains the garden.

bee nectaring on flower

The Blitz is part of a month-long event in September when people across the country compete to see who can spot the most pollinators in their region. In 2022, several hundred pollinators were spotted in Galveston, but this year, sponsors of the event feel confident that number will be exceeded.

During September residents can also participate by downloading the iNaturalist app and visiting their favorite park to begin documenting pollinators they find. The parks include:

  • East End Lagoon – 1919 Boddeker Rd
  • Corp Woods Nature Sanctuary – TX 168
  • Victory Garden/Galveston’s Own Farmers Market Youth Gardeners Program at Burnet – 5501 S
  • West End Dog Recreation Area – 3115 83rd St
  • Sandhill Crane Soccer Complex Observation Deck – 3338 7 Mile Rd
  • Lafitte’s Cove – 3503 Eckert Dr
  • Edward and Helen Oppenheimer Bird Observatory – 13102 Stewart Rd
  • Galveston Island State Park – 14901 FM 3005
  • Wright Cuney Recreation Center – 718 41st St

Community partners in the blitz include City of Galveston Parks and Recreation, Galveston’s Own Farmers Market, Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, the Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas and Better Parks for Galveston.

Nationally the Blitz is hosted through a partnership between the National Recreation and Park Association and the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation with the goal of raising public awareness of the pollinator crisis and encouraging local action through public parks and recreation programs.

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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