Category: Collaboration

Collaboration with other Organizations

Posted on

Calling Citizen Scientists to help USGS Pollinator Research

News from the United States Geological Survey about a citizen science project (April to November 1, 2023) related to pollinator research:

“This is a pilot project encompassing 6 states: Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. We are asking people to mail in already deceased butterflies, moths, or skippers in efforts to begin a USGS Scientific Collection to further research related to the decline in insect populations. All specimens received will be made available to other scientists within the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct research. To be able to answer specific regional questions, it is critical to receive specimens from a variety of locations. We appreciate any help you can provide related to distribution as it will help the success of the pilot project.” 

Find all the details in this USGS flyer: (hover over the image & click to expand it)

image of a flyer with information
Posted on

Field Trip Committee meets with Eagle Scout candidate

— by Cindy Chrisler

The NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter’s Field Trip Committee met with Zachary Adams, an Eagle Scout candidate, at Brightwater Park in Round Rock on June 1 to evaluate his proposed project to put plant signs along the park’s crushed granite trail. Zachary, his older brother, and his mother met committee members and walked the path to discuss the project’s scope and identify plants of interest to include in his request for signs.

image of group of people

In addition to single-species signs usually provided by the NPSOT-Wilco chapter, a multi-species sign may be considered for small wildflower meadows along parts of the path. The park also has a manicured pollinator garden with a mix of native and non-native species.

The park and the associated pollinator gardens are maintained by the Fern Bluff Municipal Utility District and Zachary will partner with them as well as NPSOT for his project. Zachary sent a request for assistance via the chapter’s website. The Williamson County Chapter is very pleased to work with Zachary on this project.

image of group of people
image of group of people
Posted on

Conservation Plant Rescue! Sunday, May 28; Northwest Leander

logo for Native Plant Rescue Project

Volunteer with us this Sunday, May 28, from 10am-noon or noon-2pm in NW Leander for a conservation plant rescue. Our top priority for this rescue will be saving plants to give to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and The Wildflower Center.

The plants we rescue for them will be propagated and conserved in perpetuity. There will be additional plants available to dig for your own projects after our conservation goals are met.

You must be a current NPSOT member and at least 18 to attend. (Join or renew here.)

For more details and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a4cada62aa75-leander#/

If you have  questions, read about the Native Plant Rescue Project or contact the project using this form.

From the rescue site:

image of Barbara's Buttons, Marshallia caespitosa
Barbara’s Buttons, Marshallia caespitosa
image of Texas Feathershank (Green Lily), Schoenocaulon texanum
Texas Feathershank (Green Lily), Schoenocaulon texanum