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Field Trip: Saturday, March 19, 2022, Gault Archeological Site Plant Survey, 9:30am

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Gault Archeological Site Field Trip & Plant Survey
  • When:  Saturday, March 19, 2022, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Where:  3439 FM2843, Florence, TX 76527  on the Williamson/Bell County line. (NOTE: The entrance gate may be open for a limited time. See details below.)

We are returning to the Gault Archeological Site — the location of discoveries related to the earliest peoples of the Americas — for the first time since November of 2017 to update plant survey work from 2009.

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.  Solar toilets and porta-potties are available.

Please plan on arriving by 9:15 AM – the front automatic gate may be closed shortly after 9:30 AM.  Stay for a burger lunch in Andice afterwards.

The field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are NOT required.  If you have questions, please contact Sue Wiseman using this form.

People at all levels of plant knowledge can help on survey field trips — a great way to see native plants in their habitats and learn with others.  Beginners are welcome!  Read more about survey field trips at this link.

Directions:

  • Take IH-35 north to Exit # 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
  • Turn left and follow SH 195 for 15 miles to Florence.
  • Take the Florence/FM 487 exit, then turn right off the access road onto FM 487, and go a little less than 4 miles.
  • Turn left onto FM 2843 and go about 3 miles.
  • Just past the microwave tower on the left, there is a house on the left with a red tile roof (Gault School fieldhouse, # 3433); pull next to (if you’re early) or into the next driveway on the left with two black mailboxes (# 3439 and # 3451), stop sign, and automatic gate (Gault Site).
  • Drive through the front automatic gate, down the gravel road, through the latched gate (re-latching it behind you in order to keep the friendly cows in), and meet at the barn.

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Sad News. Betsy Ross.

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Hidden Springs Feb 13 Field Trip Report

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Chapter member Betsy Ross passed away on January 22.  This tribute was written by Dennis Perz:

BETSY ROSS

Our dear friend Betsy Ross passed away last Saturday (January 22nd) at her home after a short illness. Betsy was a long time member of the Williamson County chapter of the Native Plant Society, was a strong advocate of all things native, and occasionally spoke at various NPSOT events. In recent years her primary business was raising and selling grass fed beef on her farm in Granger, TX. But her interests went well beyond ranching, and she had become a passionate advocate for natural processes starting with a sharp emphasis on the importance of soil microbiology. Betsy was a crusader who managed to influence a wide variety of successful landscaping and horticultural enterprises, all based on creating healthy soil microbiomes.

Betsy organized an orderly transition of her business, Sustainable Growth Texas, which will continue operation under the leadership of Brian Russ.

A memorial service is planned for Betsy’s birthday in March. The picture was taken in the Perz Pecan Orchard last May. I wanted Betsy to see the huge secondary growth on the trees. I’ll be forever grateful that she came.

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Betsy Ross in the Perz Pecan Orchard. Photo by Dennis Perz.

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February 10 Chapter Meeting, In Person and Virtual: “Still Learning to Propagate Native Plants” with Barbara Wright

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[This post was updated Feb 10, 2022 to add Barbara’s handout.] Access Barbara’s handout at this link.

Join NPSOT-Wilco on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 7:00 PM when Barbara Wright will present Still Learning to Propagate Native Plants.  Free and open to the public.

About our topic and speaker:   Barbara Wright will share her expert knowledge about propagating native plants by germination and cuttings. Barbara owns and operates Wright’s Nursery (open by appointment only) in Briggs, Texas, growing native and adapted plants as well as seasonal veggie starts.  (For many years, Wright’s Nursery has been a key supplier to NPSOT-Williamson County’s spring and fall native plant sales.) Barbara has been gardening since the age of nine.

image of Texas bluebonnet sprout. Lupinus texensis.

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

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.

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