NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter
Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT-Wilco)
The Round Rock High School Plant Club is having a small plant sale and a Monarch waystation open house on Sunday, May 5, 2024, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Wildflower Wanders are hikes in Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge planned by the Friends of BCNWR. Wildflower Wanders help people learn about identifying plants and the importance of native plants. The hikes below are coming up soon, planned as a balance of walks that are easy, combined with some that are harder. Register at the links. (Though these hikes are not NPSOT events, the particular hikes below are led by NPSOT-Wilco members Gary Bowers and Cindy Chrisler.)
See the Friends of BCNWR’s events calendar here.
Here’s recent news from the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. Check out CPC’s website for places where you can get outside if you travel in the area!
News Release – January 22, 2024 – Houston, Texas
Coastal Prairie Conservancy Successfully Conserves Two Properties in Southeast Texas
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) is delighted to announce the successful completion of two pivotal conservation easement projects—Flyway Farms and Brazos Tower. Strategically located in Matagorda County, these projects are integral to CPC’s long-term landscape conservation goals, contributing to the health of the region for present and future generations.
The 166-acre Flyway Farms along with the 75-acre Brazos Tower, adjacent to and near existing protected lands, expand the protected coastal prairie. These properties lie within a critical coastal zone, both less than 5 miles from Matagorda Bay. Both properties feature a diverse mix of coastal grasslands and wetlands, providing homes for various wildlife, including mottled ducks. The permanent protection of these tracts aligns with the organization’s strategic conservation plans and addresses the needs identified in various bird conservation initiatives.
Mary Anne Piacentini, President and CEO of Coastal Prairie Conservancy, expressed, “These conservation easement projects mark a significant stride toward our commitment to preserving coastal grasslands and wetlands. Flyway Farms and Brazos Tower are important additions to our preserved lands, promoting habitat conservation for resident and migratory birds while ensuring the health of Matagorda Bay.”
Piacentini added, “We are grateful for the partnership and generosity of these landowners and partners, making projects like these possible. The permanent protection of Flyway Farms and Brazos Tower contribute to the region’s biodiversity and help ensure a resilient future.”
These projects were funded through generous donations from the landowners, as well as philanthropic grants from the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. As CPC celebrates the completion of these projects, the organization looks forward to continued collaboration, emphasizing the collective effort needed to enhance and secure the long-term conservation of vital lands in the Texas mid-coast region.
For more information, visit www.coastalprairieconservancy.org.