Native Plant Rescue: Saturday, March 25, Sun City area

logo for Native Plant Rescue Project

Announcing NPSOT-Williamson County’s partnership with the Good Water Master Naturalist’s Native Plant Rescue Project. Working together, we will be able to expand the impact of rescuing native plants from development. Read more at this link.

And this news from the Native Plant Rescue Project:

We have a plant rescue in the Sun City area on March 25, 2023 at 9:30am. All rescuers who attend must be NPSOT members due to landowner requirements. (Join NPSOT here.)

Sign up for the rescue at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4CADA62AA75-suncity  Limited spots available.

This rescue is for NPSOT members only.  You may not bring family members or guests.  This is the first of two rescues scheduled at this location, which is about 5 acres.  Our focus for this rescue is the spring ephemerals at most risk of disturbance.  We hope to schedule the second rescue in the fall immediately prior to construction.  Parking will be across the street from the site, and you will have to cross the road to access the site.  A portable wagon may be useful.  Bring your own tools and pots for transport.

Partial plant list:

  • Goldeneye Phlox (Phlox roemeriana)
  • Four Nerve Daisy
  • Wedgeleaf Spurge (Euphorbia longicruris)
  • Corn Salad sp (maybe Valerianella radiata)
  • Dwarf Verbena (Glandularia pumila)
  • This rescue hasn’t been fully scouted, but the land quality is high. I know we will find many more treasures. I will try to add to this list before the rescue. (It will be updated on SignUpGenius.)

We have multiple school gardens you can also rescue plants for!  Feel free to pot up a few rescues for our elementary school gardens in RRISD and GISD.

For confidentiality reasons, the exact location and parking info will be emailed to those who sign up on the Friday before the rescue. As always, please don’t share details of the rescue with others, and please do not bring guests that are not current NPSOT members.

If you have  questions, please contact the Native Plant Rescue Project using this form.

Balcones Canyonlands, “Wildflower Wander” & other guided hiking trips

News from Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge:

In April, we are holding a new event, the Wildflower Wander, to help people learn about wildflowers, as well as learn about identifying plants and the importance of native plants.   Here is the event registration page and information for Wildflower Wander:   https://www.friendsofbalcones.org/event-5211236

We also have a number of other fun April events. (See the full calendar here.)

  • Saturday, April 1, 10 AM
    • Wildflower Wander – Explore the Beauty of Wildflowers at Doeskin Ranch!
    • Register here
  • Sunday, April 2, 9 AM
    • Martin Tract Guided Hiking Tour – Adventure behind-the-scenes at the wildlife refuge with a hike on the Martin Tract!
    • Register here
  • Saturday, April 8, 7:30 AM
    • Birding Walk with Sherry Bixler – Meet our feathered friends with a birding walk at Doeskin Ranch!
    • Register here
  • Friday, April 14, 7:00 AM
    • Warbler Vista Guided Hiking Tour – Have a relaxing start to your Friday with an early morning walk through Warbler Vista!
    • Register here
  • Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23
    • Songbird Festival – Small group birding tours through Hill Country – the Texas Hill Country has long been a favorite spot known for its unique terrain and bountiful wildlife. Migrating birds also consider the Texas Hill Country a favorite as it serves as an important waystation where they can rest, nest and gather strength for their journey.
    • Multiple days & registration opportunities here
  • Saturday, April 22, 1:00 PM
    • Earth Day Guided Hiking Tour at Doeskin (Indiangrass Trail) – Celebrate Earth Day by taking in views at the top of Rim Rock, and the flora and fauna along Indiangrass trail!
    • Register here
  • Saturday, April 29, 8:00 AM
    • Igau Tract Guided Hiking Tour – Adventure behind-the-scenes of the Refuge for the day, with an 8-mile hike on our Igau Tract!
    • Register here

(This is not a NPSOT event.)

Online store is OPEN. Here’s the link. March 18-22, online native plant sale.

ONLINE Native Plant Sale – from March 18 through midnight on March 22 (Pickup is Saturday, April 1, 11:00 am to 2:00pm.)

Reminder: our LIVE Native Plant Sale is Saturday, April 1, 11:00 am to 2:00pm, at Champion Park, Cedar Park, TX. Details at our Spring 2023 sale page, link below.

See Spring 2023 Native Plant Sale for important details about both the ONLINE (March 18-22) and LIVE (April 1) sales. All information about both sales will be found on that page, including important dates and instructions for ordering and pickup that are not in this blog post.

If you have questions, send email to wilco-chapter@npsot.org.