Category: Community

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Wildflower Wanders at Balcones Canyonlands

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.

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The Coastal Prairie Conservancy

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.

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Landfill Pollinator Garden Workday – Part Deux

This image shows the volunteer crew gathered around the project sign in celebration of completing the mulch spreading.

— by Gary Bowers

Six volunteers from Master Naturalists and NPSOT Wilco started the chilly, breezy morning of Sun Dec 10, 2023 bundled up to begin spreading the 15 cu yds of mulch that Louis from Waste Management had delivered. The goal: spread the mulch along the pathway – covering the weed barrier that had become visible.

Photo showing piles of mulch with the pollinator garden and Willamson County Landfill sign in the background.
Mulch ready to be spread at Williamson County Landfill Garden on Sun Dec 10 2023.

The team exchanged introductions, unloaded the tools, and quickly got to work. By the end of the first hour, we had started shedding layers of clothing. Chilly days are the best for spreading mulch!

Photo showing volunteers using garden implements to spread mulch along pathway.
GWMN and NPSOT Wilco Volunteers spreading mulch along pathway.
This photos shows the completed pathway with the pollinator garden in the background.
The mulch has been distributed, the weed barrier is hidden, and the stones repurposed as a border.

The crew sat aside the limestone pavers that had been used as stepping stones and then repurposed those to use as a garden border. Stones like this create habitat for crickets, spiders, lizards, and various other critters.

After all the mulch was spread and the tools returned to the correct vehicles, the team spent some time walking the garden, checking on the new plants put in during the previous workday, and discussing the tasks needed for the next workday.

This image shows the volunteer crew gathered around the project sign in celebration of completing the mulch spreading.
The accomplished crew celebrating their work.

Thanks to all the hardworking volunteers! See you on the next workday!


If you have not yet been to this garden, it is open to the public. Sunday is the best time to drop by as the landfill is closed so there is no traffic and it’s safe to park along the road. If you choose to go during the week, park at the Recycling Center across the street.

About the garden: The Pollinator Garden is a collaboration of the NPSOT-Wilco chapter, Good Water Master Naturalists, and Williamson County Waste Management, located at the entrance to the Williamson County Landfill, at the corner of FM 1660 and Landfill Road in Hutto, TX, across from the Recycling Center. The garden includes a Monarch Waystation and is a Certified Texas Wildscape. Volunteers help maintain the garden when the collaborating organizations announce a maintenance work day.  Anyone interested is invited to help!