Field Trips – Page 29 – NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter

November 23, 2022April 14, 2023

Field Trip on Saturday, December 10, 2022, Hidden Springs Preserve Plant Survey #6, 1:00pm

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— by Kathy Galloway

What: Hidden Springs Preserve Field Trip, Plant Survey 6 of 12
When: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, Saturday, December 10, 2021
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 #6 of 12.

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. People at all plant knowledge levels can help on survey field trips. Beginners are welcome. There are NO restrooms available.

Please plan on arriving by 1:00 PM – there is a padlock on the front gate, and it will be locked shortly after 1:15PM. Reservations are not required. Please feel free to contact Kathy Galloway (contact form here) beforehand if you have any questions. We will follow the latest CDC instructions for Covid safety.

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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November 8, 2022April 14, 2023

Field Trip: Friday, November 25, 2022, 1:00pm, Black Friday Opt-Outside, Seek Nature not the Mall

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— from Kathy Galloway

What: Black Friday Opt-Outside, Seek Nature not the Mall
When: Saturday, November 25, 2022, 1:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail. Starting from a parking lot across from Cedar Breaks Park, 2100 Cedar Breaks Rd, Georgetown, TX. See detailed directions below. Note: the trail is outside the park.

Click on the image to enlarge the trail map.

Directions to Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail

Turn west on Cedar Breaks Road from D. B. Wood Road:
- Access D. B. Wood Road from the north by Williams Dr. From Williams Dr. turn south for approximately 1.9 miles, at water tower turn west (right) on Cedar Breaks Rd.
- Access D. B. Wood Road from the south by University (US 29). From University turn north on D. B. Wood Road and turn west (left) on Cedar Breaks Rd. at the water tower. There is a sign to Cedar Breaks Park.
Go about 1.4 miles on Cedar Breaks Rd. Instead of turning left into the park entrance, turn right to a parking lot. The hike will start from the parking lot.
It’s helpful if you can carpool. The parking lot is small at this popular hiking trail, so we might have to find overflow parking.

The hike is approximately 1.5 miles. Some parts of the trail are rocky and a little steep. Come dressed appropriately for the weather and terrain. Bring your own water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat and walking stick.

Our field trips are free and open to the public.

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August 31, 2022April 14, 2023

Field Trip: Saturday, Oct 29, 2022, 9:30am, Round Rock High School and Member Garden Tour

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[Post updated on 10/26/2022 with directions. See the new info in blue. PD]

— by Vicky Husband

Let’s celebrate our members’ native plant garden successes with a tour up and down RR 620 in Round Rock. The high school has been working hard to introduce native plants to students and staff by installing natives throughout their campus, and we will kick off this field trip with a guided tour. We will continue to members’ residential gardens to see what has survived and thrived during our weather extremes this year. We will visit a residence on both the east and west side of IH-35, presenting the challenges and solutions for both of the distinct growing conditions in our area.

What: Round Rock High School Guided Garden Tour, followed by Members’ Residential Garden Tour
When: Saturday, October 29, 2022. 9:30am – 12 noon. We will sign a state NPSOT Waiver of Liability.
Where: Begin at Round Rock High School. Use the main entrance of the high school and park in the parking lot at the front of the school at 201 Deep Wood Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681. Click on the image to enlarge the map.
- Note: Maps to member gardens will be provided during the field trip.

No registration or RSVP is required. Our field trips are free and open to the public. Please carry your photo ID / Driver’s license because we will be on school property.
Restrooms will not be available at the garden locations. However, convenience stores/gas stations are available along RR 620, and we will allow time for travel between locations.
Please come prepared to walk and dressed for the weather. You are encouraged to bring your own water bottle. Masks are currently optional, but feel free to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. ~~We will not be indoors at any time during this field trip.~~ We might go into the high school.

Click on the image for a peek at Round Rock High School’s front beds, busy with Monarchs in 2021 (or click this link).

video — Monarchs in front bed of RRHS. Video by Mark Stoetzer.

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