Author: NPSOT-Wilco

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Field Trip Reminder: March 8 Gault Site Plant Survey

— by Sue Wiseman

Gault site
Gault site – still from the film “The Stones Are Speaking”
  • What:    Plant survey and nature tour of Gault Site
  • When:   1:30 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026
  • Where:  The Gault School for Archeological Research, 3451 FM 2843, Florence, TX 76527
    • Take TX 195 W from IH35, exit onto FM 487 E and turn left onto FM 2843
  • NOTE: We will be meeting away from the entrance and will be locking the gate at 1:45PM.

On this field trip, we will continue our plant survey (list) of the Gault Site.  Back in 2008, this site was the first place where our chapter starting listing the plants found at various parks and preserves in Williamson County.  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.

The Gault Site’s archeological research “helped shape how scientists understand Clovis and earlier-than-Clovis occupations in the human history of North America.” There will not be a tour of the archeological history of this site; however, we will go where the exploration was conducted.  I encourage you to view the documentary film The Stones are Speaking to help you understand the significance of this property.  Click here for ways to view the film: https://thestonesarespeaking.com/watch.php

The area we will survey has a gentle hill going down to the creek area.  Feel free to bring your children and friends.  No pets, please, as we may have livestock in the area where we will be walking. Please wear appropriate clothing including long pants and closed toe shoes.  Water, hats and sunscreen recommended.

Open to the public. Members and non-members are welcome.
Questions about the trip? Please contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here).

archeological dig site
Gault site work in May 2013. Pit now closed. Photo by Greg Donica.

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See photos from other trips in our album =>

Field Trip Photo Album

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Save Salado Creek, comments due Feb 23

News from NPSOT’s Tonkawa Chapter. Read more about the threat to Salado Creek at Save Texas Streams.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is currently accepting public comments on the draft permit for Salado Vista, so that’s what you’ll be commenting on. For suggested talking points from Save Texas Streams, go to https://www.savetexasstreams.org/saladocreek and scroll down to “Salado Vista permit problems.”

The short take: Salado Vista’s draft permit has the worst limits of all 12 permits on Salado Creek, because TCEQ believed the applicant’s claim that it would be discharging its wastewater into Darrs Creek. But the actual location of Salado Vista’s treatment plant means that its wastewater will flow into Salado Creek instead — which means that it needs much stricter permit limits.

Please take a few minutes and send in your comment to TCEQ. The deadline is February 23rd. Any comments coming after Feb 23rd are disregarded.

Salado Vista: 

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Join the Big Pull… locally in Round Rock!

[3/4: post updated due to event reschedule]

This event has been rescheduled to March 21. See details about the reschedule in the announcement at this link.

National Invasive Species Week is February 23-March 8. Team up with Good Water Master Naturalists for the Big Pull in Round Rock on March 7 March 21.

Info from GWMN:

The Good Water Master Naturalists are supporting the Native Plant Society of Texas by joining them for The Big Pull! Let’s make an impact during National Invasive Species Week by removing invasive species and supporting healthy native ecosystems at the park by our iconic Round Rock on Saturday, March 7, March 21 9am-12pm.

Williamson County Conservation Foundation is taking care of sign up since it’s part of their responsibility so we’ll be signing up on their website. If you’re new to volunteering with them, every participant will need to sign the WCCF waiver before participating. (It is good for the rest of the calendar year in case you want to volunteer with WCCF again.) All are welcome, bring friends and family members if they want to join in on the fun.

All the details

If you have any questions, send an email to wilco-chapter@npsot.org and we’ll put you in touch with chapter member (and master naturalist) Michelle Goerdel.

Read NPSOT’s announcement about the Big Pull and invasive species.