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

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

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 fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason