Prairie Rose Chapter

Prairie Rose Meeting Reminder

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MARCH MEETING REMINDER

FEATHER FEST

MARCH 23, 10 A.M. – 2 P.M.

ACTON NATURE CENTER

6900 Smoky Hill Ct.

FREE ADMISSION

Enjoy a beautiful day outdoors Saturday at the Acton Nature Center.  For the fourth year, the Rio Brazos Master Naturalists are hosting Feather Fest, which includes all types of activities for adults and children.  These activities include birding, nature walks, live raptors, booths by many other organizations and other activities for kids.  We’ll have a booth and will be hosting a seed ball activity for kids at 11 and 1 p.m.  Come join us, either by enjoying the nature center or helping us work the booth.  This should be a relaxing day where you can come and go and enjoy the event.

All attendees should bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water.  Booth workers should add a chair and snacks/lunch.  There is a bathroom facility that includes running water and flush toilets.

The forecast for Saturday is currently a little iffy.  If by chance the weather is really horrible, urgent texts cancelling the event will go out to all workers, with a follow-up email.

Hope to see you there.

If you’re unsure of this location and google fails you, go north on Hwy 377 and turn right on the road next to Kroger.  When you come to the T in Acton go right until you reach the stoplight at Smoky Hill Ct.  There is a large sign for the Acton Nature Center; you’ll turn left at the light and the road deadends at the center.  De Cordova Bend entrance is to the right at the stoplight.

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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