Author: NPSOT-Wilco

— by Kathy Galloway

• What:   Hidden Springs Preserve Field Trip, Plant Survey 12 of 12
• When:  8:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 7, 2024
  • Please plan on arriving by 8:45 AM. There is a padlock on the front gate and it will be locked shortly after 8:45 AM.
• Optional lunch after the field trip. See the info below.
• Where:  978 CR 224, Florence, TX.
• Our field trip is free and open to the public, BUT…
  • The preserve is not open to the general public.  See important details later in this post.

With this field trip, we’re completing our work at the preserve! In 2021, the NPSOT-Wilco Field Trip Committee was invited to conduct a plant survey at Williamson County’s Hidden Springs Preserve (not open to the public). The result was the committee’s plan to visit the property every calendar month of the year over a 2-3 year period. September 7’s trip is our 12th and final survey trip at this location.

Since this is our last field trip to Hidden Springs, the field trip team is planning on going out to lunch afterwards and all are welcome to join them.

Be prepared for extensive walking on uneven, open terrain. Wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water, field guides, and something to take notes on and with. Members at all plant knowledge levels can help on survey field trips. Beginners are welcome!

Please plan on arriving by 8:45 AM – there is a padlock on the front gate, and it will be locked shortly after 8:45 AM

Reservations are not required. Please feel free to contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here) beforehand if you have any questions.

Directions:

• Take IH-35 north to Exit 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
• Turn left and follow SH 195 toward Florence.
• Go through Florence, take the TX 138 exit (you will be near the City of Florence’s water tower with the bison on it), and then turn left onto TX 138.
• After a little over two miles, turn right onto CR 224.
• After about half a mile, at the fork in the road, bear to the left and stay on CR 224. Note that a car GPS system may indicate that you should bear to the right – this is incorrect.
• After another half a mile, look for a green metal gate on your right (north side of street). There is a large wooden sign “Hidden Springs” sign between two flagpoles behind the fence. The address is 978 County Road 224, Florence, TX, but there is no number on the gate. (The gate is across the street from 981 CR 224.)
• When you arrive, directions will be given as to where to park.