Author: Gary Bowers

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Progressive Field Trip, July 12 (Murphy Park & more)

— by Kathy Galloway

Join us as we visit special projects supported by our chapter and see how hours of dedicated volunteer work have created visible improvements for the community.

  • What:  Progressive Field Trip — starts in Hutto; ends in Taylor
  • When: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 9:00am-12:00pm
  • Where:  Williamson County Landfill (Hutto), Murphy Park (Taylor). Location details below.
  • Optional Lunch: Plowman’s Kitchen (Taylor)

Our field trips are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Dress for the weather.  We will be on paths or grass so there is no need for protection except from the sun, heat, and maybe the chiggers. We recommend a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water.

Stop #1 Meet Here @ 9 AM – Williamson County Landfill, 600 Landfill Rd, Hutto, TX.  This long-standing project began at the request of the landfill to help beautify the entrance. Our chapter continues this work in partnership with the Good Water Master Naturalist program.  Gary Bowers is the leader for refreshing and maintenance and has worked with Waste Management staff to achieve WHC Certification for the site.  Join him and other wacky weeders on the third Sunday of each month to help.

After Stop #1, continue 11 miles to …

Stop #2 – Murphy Park – 1600 Veterans Dr, Taylor.  Originally started as a butterfly garden by a former member, this project was later left untended when no one took it over. It has now been revived—much like the butterflies it was created to support.  Leland Haefner with the help of  other Taylor residents pitch in to keep the garden looking its best. 

Continue 2 miles to …

Stop #3 – Optional Lunch – After the tour, you are invited to join the group for a Dutch-treat lunch at Plowman’s Kitchen, 305 West 9th Street, Taylor. The restaurant is located in the former Taylor ISD Band Hall, now refurbished as a dining space.

Hope to see you there! If you have questions, contact the Field Trip Committee here. 

image of field trip route on screenshot of map

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See photos from some past field trips.

Field Trip Photo Album
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✱ IN PERSON ONLY ✱, April 10: “Luminous Landscapes: Fireflies in the Heart of Texas” with Ben Pfeiffer

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Zoom portion of this meeting has been canceled, and it will not be recorded. We encourage you to attend in person if possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, April 10, 2025, when our featured topic will be Luminous Landscapes: Fireflies in the Heart of Texas with Ben Pfeiffer.  Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  The guest presentation begins after a short business meeting.

==> This month’s in-person location is the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor, 402 West 8th St, Georgetown, TX 78626. Come early (6:30 PM) for expert advice, to check out the seed swap board, or just to visit.

See the original meeting announcement for details about our guest speaker, the topic and links to resources.

At every meeting, we give away a book — about native plants or the meeting topic — to one randomly chosen in-person attendee!

* If we have permission from our guest speaker, we record the presentation for our YouTube channel. (See a list of past topics at this link.)

Have an idea for a speaker?  Let Program Leader Susie Hickman know via  email to wilco-chapter@npsot.org.

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. We hope you attend!  Meetings may be in person, virtual, or both, so be sure to check details in the meeting announcement. Meetings are announced on our website, our calendar and Facebook. See upcoming topics on our page Wilco Home or on our Calendar.

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REMINDER: Volunteers Needed for Round Rock’s Earth Day Festival, Apr 12

We are still looking for a collection of enthusiastic native plant volunteers to staff a booth during Round Rock’s Earth day festival. If you are able to lend a hand, please fill out the volunteer form at the link below. Thank you!

Gary wonders, “What do you call a group of native plant volunteers? A Thicket of Volunteers, or a Bloom of Botanists, or a Canopy of Conservationists?”

Volunteer for the City of Round Rock’s Earth Day Festival, at Memorial Park, 600 N Lee St, Round Rock, TX 78664, on April 12, 2025. Promote Texas native plants at this free event which is geared towards all ages and with a wide variety of activities and services creating awareness regarding Earth Day. NPSOT-Wilco will have an educational tabling event and a plant giveaway.

The event is from 9am-12pm. NPSOT volunteers shifts run from 8:30am-12:30pm. You can volunteer for the whole day, or for any of the shifts. Details are in the sign up form.

Sign up to volunteer with NPSOT by completing the volunteer form at this link.

Read about the festival here: City of Round Rock’s Earth Day Festival.