Adopting an Orphaned Kiosk

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– by Belinda and John Buescher

John and Belinda Buescher like to walk along a trail that connects their neighborhood (Parkside at Mayfield Ranch) to Williamson County’s Southwest Regional Park. The path is charming – bordered with Indian Blankets in late spring, punctuated with prickly pear, and dancing with butterflies in the summer. In winter the wind whispers through stands of little blue stem.

The county had constructed an information kiosk where the neighborhood trail met the park trail. But it had been neglected in recent years and had become, well, less than inviting:

image of an info kiosk
The orphaned kiosk.

The Bueschers offered to “adopt” the orphaned kiosk and spruce it up with native plant signs that NPSOT’s Field Trip Committee had already developed. The signs would be affixed with Velcro so they could be switched out seasonally. Committee Chair Kathy Galloway arranged a meeting with the park manager, Toby Bonnet, who enthusiastically accepted their offer.

The couple compiled a list of native plants along the trail. Kathy McCormack, a fellow NPSOT Field Trip Committee member, arranged for the printing and lamination of the signs. Toby consolidated the park information that would need to remain in the kiosk, leaving half of the display area for NPSOT information. Belinda ordered Velcro squares; John bought a vinyl tablecloth and a staple gun. And the fun began!

image of an info kiosk
Work underway.
image of completed kiosk
John, Belinda, and the finished kiosk.
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Up close.

NPSOT has now been invited to update all the kiosks in the park!

Photo credits:  “Before” photo by John Buescher.   Remaining photos by Kathy McCormack.

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Field Trip: Native American Seed, Saturday, April 23, 2022

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What: Tour of Native American Seed
  • When:  Saturday, April 23, 2022, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Where:  Junction, Texas (directions below)
  • Field trip is open to the public. Sign up instructions are below.

ARRIVE at 10:00AM
We will be touring Native American Seed’s facilities located outside Junction, TX. It has been operated by the Nieman family in Junction since 1995 and they grow only seed native to the Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana region. They have graciously invited us to visit their operation.

You will need to make your own arrangements for carpooling due to Covid-19. Bring a water bottle, hat/sunscreen, hiking shoes.

Please register online at this link. We need your name, cell phone number, email (so we can keep you informed about the trip) and if eating lunch or not, so we can make lunch reservations.

Lunch:  Lum’s BBQ, 2031 Main, Junction

Native American Seed is 137 Miles from Georgetown, TX and takes about 2 ½ hours. Go west on US 29 to US 377 just west of Mason, then follow the directions shown below from London, Texas.

Directions from London, Texas
Traveling south on Hwy 377, Native American Seed farm is approximately 13 miles (from London towards Junction) on the left-hand side. They have three entrances from Hwy 377. We will use the third entrance.

The best landmarks to look for are the county roads.  All three entrances are after CR 312 and before CR 311 on the south (left) side of the road. After you pass CR 312 start slowing down and after you round the bend look for a white fence with sign on right. The next three caliche driveways on the left will be ours. See below for descriptions of the entrances. Use Entrance 3. We will meet at Hacienda Maria, restrooms available.

  • Entrance 1 (Offices / Seed Barn) – orange mailbox. Wide open, no gate, small, faded sign under mesquite tree says River Run Ranch, The Neiman’s. Continue…
  • Entrance2 (Cool River Cabin) – open gate surrounded by a cedar stick fence.  “CRC” and “3791” are lettered on white reflector posts near the gate. Continue…
  • Entrance 3 (Hacienda Maria) – entrance has Spanish style stucco arches directly across from CR 311. Turn left through the entry and follow the  gravel road about ¼ mile. Take first left into visitor parking. Walk trail up to Hacienda.

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Hidden Springs Feb 13 Field Trip Report

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— By Nancy Pumphrey

image of a group of people
Plant survey trip February 2022.

February 13th was a beautiful day up at Hidden Springs Preserve. We had a good showing of 20 people and explored the southeast quadrant of the preserve.

Even though it was still winter and most things were dormant, it was easy to spot the first early signs of spring. Wild geraniums, anemone and watercress were spotted just beginning to come up. Of course, the small bluebonnet rosettes were seen.

Around the pond in a wet area, we saw a forest of common button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) but they were bare on this date. It will be fun to revisit these in the summer. This was near the watercress (Rorippa Nasturtium-aquaticum) of course.

We went from wet areas to drier slopes with many different plants noted. It was easy to see our native evergreens on this trip although there are not many. On the drive in, I spotted one of my favorites – nolina. It was standing all alone out in the full sun with a large clump of evergreen leaves.

We had a very diverse group of individuals with us for a wonderful hike through this lovely preserve. Botanists, beginners, experts and high school students joined us on this sunny mid-winter adventure to learn and teach about Texas Native Plants.

We even made it back in time to see the Super Bowl kickoff!

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