Author: NPSOT-Wilco

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Trip Report: Godwin Ranch Preserve

— by Cindy Chrisler

image of blooming flower
Godwin Ranch, May 2025. Photo by Cindy Chrisler.

Fifteen NPSOT members and Good Water Master Naturalists conducted the second plant survey at Godwin Ranch Preserve on Saturday, May 24. The preserve, created as a mitigation for Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park, is tucked away on Williams Drive near DB Wood Road in Georgetown.  It is managed by Eléonore Le Corvaisier, a director of the Texas Cave Management Association.

Fresh faces aided plant identification of the early summer wildflowers in abundance at the preserve.  Over 70 species of plants were observed during the two hours spent leisurely walking the loop and exploring open meadows along the path.  We marveled at the size of Antelope Horns Milkweed pods on several plants deep in the preserve. Notable finds included Meadow Pinks, Firewheel, Pasture Heliotrope, and Prairie Brazoria. 

Other sites of interest along the loop included a kiosk and benches built by local Boy Scout troops, a water guzzler for the wildlife, and karst cave entrances.  The preserve has been explored by the local cave group as well as Nature Trackers. 

The next survey is scheduled for August 24.

image of path in woods
Godwin Ranch, May 2025. Photo by Greg Donica.

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See photos from this trip and others in our album =>

Field Trip Photo Album

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Field Trip Reminder, Saturday, May 24, Godwin Ranch Preserve Plant Survey

— by Cindy Chrisler

  • What:    Plant survey and tour of the Godwin Ranch Preserve
  • When:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 24, 2025
  • Where:  Near the corner of DB Wood Road and Williams Drive in Georgetown. 
  • Members and non-members are welcome! No RSVP is required.

Join NPSOT members on the second of four scheduled plant surveys at the Godwin Ranch Preserve in Georgetown. This 100 acre preserve is a mitigation for the construction of Lakeline Mall in Austin and will not be developed. Plant lists will be combined to form a master list for the preserve.

All levels of plant identification expertise are welcome. Even if you don’t know plants, each participant is an observer and may notice and draw attention to something others do not.

Park at the CVS Pharmacy and walk east along Williams Drive to the gated entrance (a quarter mile or less).  There will be a NPSOT sign at the gate.  If walking that distance is a problem, you may be dropped off at the gate but there is no parking along Williams Drive or in the preserve.

There are no restrooms or water, so please plan accordingly. Bring your own water and snacks.  Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, use bug spray and sunscreen, and wear a hat. 

We will walk around a mostly flat mowed path for about a mile and a half. There are some rocks and stumps that may pose a trip hazard, and walking sticks are recommended. In addition to plants, you will see several species of birds. You may put observations on iNaturalist but please obscure any rare plants.

If you have questions, please contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here).

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See photos from some of our previous field trips in our Field Trip Album.

Field Trip Album

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June 12 Chapter Meeting:  “Mycology 101 for Gardeners & Growers” with Angel Schatz

Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, June 12, 2025, when our featured topic will be Mycology 101 for Gardeners & Growers with Angel Schatz.  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.

==> To attend via Zoom, register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/FUhQTaCmQSGtcZCYjqsG4g#/registration

woman holding mushroom

About our topic:  Join Central Texas Mycology for a talk to learn the basics of mycology and how fungi is entangled in all parts of our life. We will cover some basics on mycology, how fungi benefits our entire ecosystem, plants and our health.

Angel will be bringing mushroom grow blocks to upcycle for everyone in attendance. Learn how to use them here.

And check out the bilingual resources at this link, provided by our speaker.

About our speaker: Angel Schatz radiates passion for understanding the ecosystem of central Texas and making mycology education accessible to anyone who shares interest. Formerly an experience designer and animator in the tech world, she hopes to inspire more people dial into the wood-wide-web.

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.