Field Trip: Hidden Springs Preserve Plant Survey #11, Saturday, August 3, 2024

image of a sign

— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Hidden Springs Preserve Field Trip, Plant Survey 11 of 12
  • When:  8:00 AM – 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 3, 2024
    • Please plan on arriving by 8:15 AM. There is a padlock on the front gate and it will be locked shortly after 8:15 AM.
  • 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.

We’re continuing our plant survey work with plant survey #11.

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 8:15 AM – there is a padlock on the front gate, and it will be locked shortly after 8:15 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.

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See photos from our earlier survey trips to Hidden Springs Preserve.

From Balconies to Backyards, July 27, 2024

Click this link on the Good Water Chapter of TX Master Naturalists website for more information and to register => https://txmn.org/goodwater/from-balconies-to-backyards/.

The deadline to register for in-person tickets is July 19, 2024.

FYI: Randy Pensabene, NPSOT-Williamson County member and a past president, presents at 1:00pm. As part of our mission to promote native plants through education, NPSOT-Williamson County donated funds to help sponsor the event’s keynote speaker.

image of event flyer

Meeting Reminder: July 11, Annual Chapter Meeting

Join NPSOT-Williamson County Thursday, July 11, 2024, for our annual chapter meeting. Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  

We’ll announce results of the chapter board election, present anniversary pins, and have a short discussion about a new chapter project — a user-friendly database of native plants for Williamson County. Click to read the full meeting announcement.  

Chapter Members, July 8 is the last day to vote in the chapter election. Details at this link.

==> This month, if you attend in person, we’re at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 West 8th St, Georgetown, TX 78626. Come early (6:30 PM) for expert advice, to check out the seed swap board, or just to visit.

==> To attend via Zoom register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuce6tqj4uG9xDoQwv-lUAiKNDQJIMxfk3#/registration


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


Have an idea for a speaker?  Let Program Leader Susie Hickman know via  email to wilco-chapter@npsot.org.

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. See upcoming topics on our page Wilco Home or on our Calendar.