Berry Creek Pipeline-December Public Meetings

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— by Kathy McCormack

Wildflower meadow at Berry Springs Park and Preserve
Wildflower meadow at Berry Springs Park and Preserve

Regarding the proposed Berry Creek Wastewater Pipeline project, you may be interested in hearing the City of Georgetown presentation on Dec 11, and/or attending the public hearing on Dec 18.  We’ve been told that only one representative from each organization will be allowed to give public comment on Dec 18.  NPSOT-Wilco is in the process of developing our three minutes of public comment – please contact Gary Bowers (via [email protected]) or Kathy McCormack (via the form at this link) if you have input for consideration.

Below is the proposed timeline for the three December meetings at the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court for discussion and possible action regarding the Berry Creek Wastewater Pipeline project (100-foot wide construction zone followed by a permanent 50-foot wide easement through the length of Berry Springs Park and Preserve).

(Note: although the date of the first meeting listed below is past, its detail is included for your awareness relative to the timeline.)

Tuesday, 12/4/2018

– Agenda item #38 to discuss and take action on setting a public hearing on Tuesday, 12/18/18 at 9:30 am in the Williamson County Commissioners Courtroom, 710 Main St, Georgetown, TX 78626.

Tuesday, 12/11/2018

– The City of Georgetown plans to attend the Commissioners Court meeting to discuss the project.  There will be an opportunity for public comment (3 minutes each) at the beginning of the Court meeting as we do each week.

– Betsy Ross may also make a presentation or at least be there to discuss the concepts of restoration along the proposed alignment.

Tuesday, 12/18/2018

– If approved on 12/4/18, there will be a public hearing to start as close to 10 am as possible but not before.

– The agenda will include an action item to vote on the project alignment through the park.

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Program Summary: Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies

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– By Anna Marie Blair

Native Host Plants for Butterflies

On Thursday, November 8, 2018, Lynne and Jim Weber joined us at the AgriLife building to present information from their new book,  Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies.  We were shown many of our familiar (and not so familiar) Texas native plants alongside the butterflies that use those plants as hosts.

We were also given information on butterfly life cycles. Did you know that the older larva of the Yucca Giant Skipper will burrow into the root of yuccas? Now we are better able to identify what’s munching a plant and plan to entice those butterflies we want to attract.

We were also given a sneak peak on their new, similar project: moths. This will be a great project for a group of pollinators that are beautiful but less publicized!

You can find a handout from Lynne and Jim at this link.


Download the November 8, 2018 business presentation slides here.

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Garey Park Bird Blind Planting Volunteers THANK YOU!

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image of people digging holes

— by Randy Pensabene

Several months ago, NPSOT-Wilco received a request from the Good Water Texas Master Naturalist team. They asked us to add plants around the newly built Garey Park Bird Blind that would invite and support local and migrating birds. In response, the request was brought before the board and funding was approved, as long as they agreed to a plan using all native plants. To better understand their requirements and desires, we met with Garey Park personnel at the bird blind.

  • It was agreed that we could plant whatever we chose, but the plants and overall design should support and bring in birds for a good viewing experience.
  • The area immediately in front of the viewing windows has to be left clear so that birdseed could be spread and bird and hummingbird feeders could be hung in that area.
  • The view to the river must not be blocked off, small portions could be obscured.
  • The area will be left natural, not be mowed and not receive any special care or irrigation.
  • One area adjacent to the bird blind building was reserved for the Master Naturalists to put in a Butterfly Garden; the rest was ours to enhance.
  • The close-up viewing area would have a feral hog fence, and the deer would visit our plantings.
  • A rain barrel will be filled from the roof of the bird blind, and the City of Georgetown will fill it with water when there are no rains.
  • The path through the fence gate must remain clear.

After we understood what they had in mind, we wanted to better understand what would naturalize well in the area. So, we looked at the soil, sun/shade, and views from the bird blind and we observed the native plants that were growing in the area. Our next step was to approach Barbara Wright of Wright’s Nursery to assist NPSOT-Wilco in choosing the locally-native plants preferred by the birds, deliver them to the site and guide us in their placement; she enthusiastically agreed!

At 10:00 AM on Friday, November 2, 2018, an excited group of volunteers showed up at the bird blind with shovels in hand. The group included: Gary Bowers, Randy Pensabene, Sue Hickman, Kathy and Walt Henderson, Linda Reed, Christie Gardner, Dave Gage, Penny Villanueva and her 3 delightful grandkids, Carolyn Doolittle, Donald Preble and Cynthia Edgar (who had heard about the call for volunteers for planting day through the Master Naturalists). And, of course, Barbara Wright was there with her big shiny trailer full of beautiful locally-native, bird-friendly plants.

We encourage everyone to go visit Georgetown’s newest park and enjoy the Bird Blind at Garey Park, 6450 Ranch Road 2243, Georgetown TX 78628 (https://parks.georgetown.org/gareypark). Nestled along the South San Gabriel River, the 525-acre ranch was donated by Jack and Cammy Garey in 2004. Amenities at the park include a playground, a splash pad, a dog park, an equestrian arena, a bird blind, fishing ponds, the Garey House event facility, pavilions, picnic shelters, and more than 7 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

It was a remarkable opportunity, and NPSOT offers a sincere THANK YOU! to everyone who participated.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the bird blind installation.

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