Highland Lakes Chapter

Water Conservation Practices and Programs-May 16

Jacey Stewart, a Water Conservation Coordinator II with LCRA, is the speaker for the Highland Lakes Native Plant Society of Texas’ Chapter Meeting on Saturday, 16 May from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main Street.

Jacey Stewart is a Water Conservation Coordinator II with five years of experience in water conservation. She serves as a liaison between LCRA and local customers throughout Central Texas, helping promote water-efficient practices and advancing participation in the WaterSmart incentive programs. 

Jacey supports LCRA’s domestic water use team by assisting in lake patrols to help protect and manage water on the Highland Lakes. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography Natural Resources and Environmental Studies from Texas State University.

Outside of work, Jacey enjoys spending time on the water and taking advantage of Austin’s live music scene.

Jacey’s presentation, “Water Conservation Practices and Programs” will cover:

  • LCRAs water management
  • What we can do indoors/outdoors to conserve water
  • Conservation landscaping
  • How to offset the cost of water conservation practices.

This presentation will count as one hour of Advanced Training credit for Master Gardeners, and one hour of Advanced Training credit for Master Naturalists.

Chapter business occurs during the first 30 minutes of the meeting, followed by Jacey’s demonstration. 

Upcoming Highland Lakes-NPSOT Chapter Meetings:

July: No meeting. Enjoy your summer!

19 September: Travis Rhames, Drainage Operations Manager, Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department, will discuss the importance of using native Texas plants in the built environment.

21 November: Alex McClellan, Ph.D., Seed Bank Coordinator, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will discuss how the Wildflower Center collects and stores seed from keystone species in Texas for use by research scientists, conservationists, and long-term storage.

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