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August 8 Chapter Meeting: “The Native Aquatic Plants of Texas” with Casey Williams

Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, August 8, 2024, when our featured topic will be “The Native Aquatic Plants of Texas” with Casey Williams.  The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  Our guest speaker’s presentation begins after a short business meeting. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Updated July 22: We will know closer to the date whether or not this guest presentation will be recorded for YouTube. Check the meeting’s calendar entry for the latest info about recording. The meeting will be recorded for YouTube. The video will be published asap after the meeting date.

==> This month, we meet at the Georgetown Parks & Rec Administration Building, 1101 N College St, Georgetown, Texas 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/tZwofu6gqD4pGtzrVeTUVTyDZVxIHZRcSHh-#/registration

About our topic:  While familiarity with Texas’ native flora is improving, many people overlook the diversity of Texas’ aquatic plants. This presentation will provide a basic understanding of what constitutes an aquatic plant, why they are important and highlight varying habitats and species found throughout Texas.

image of man by water

About our speaker:  Casey is an aquatic ecologist and plant ecologist for a private consulting firm. He has been involved with aquatic plant biology, conservation and restoration since graduate school at Texas State University where he mapped and studied the aquatic plants of the San Marcos and Comal springs. He currently resides in San Marcos, Texas and spends his free time kayaking, hiking and traveling to find…. you guessed it. More aquatic plants.

image of man in water collecting a plant sample

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.

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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.

Hidden Springs Plant Survey Album
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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