Category: Field Trips

Chapter Field Trips

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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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Field Trip: Saturday, March 19, 2022, Gault Archeological Site Plant Survey, 9:30am

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Gault Archeological Site Field Trip & Plant Survey
  • When:  Saturday, March 19, 2022, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Where:  3439 FM2843, Florence, TX 76527  on the Williamson/Bell County line. (NOTE: The entrance gate may be open for a limited time. See details below.)

We are returning to the Gault Archeological Site — the location of discoveries related to the earliest peoples of the Americas — for the first time since November of 2017 to update plant survey work from 2009.

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.  Solar toilets and porta-potties are available.

Please plan on arriving by 9:15 AM – the front automatic gate may be closed shortly after 9:30 AM.  Stay for a burger lunch in Andice afterwards.

The field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are NOT required.  If you have questions, please contact Sue Wiseman using this form.

People at all levels of plant knowledge can help on survey field trips — a great way to see native plants in their habitats and learn with others.  Beginners are welcome!  Read more about survey field trips at this link.

Directions:

  • Take IH-35 north to Exit # 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
  • Turn left and follow SH 195 for 15 miles to Florence.
  • Take the Florence/FM 487 exit, then turn right off the access road onto FM 487, and go a little less than 4 miles.
  • Turn left onto FM 2843 and go about 3 miles.
  • Just past the microwave tower on the left, there is a house on the left with a red tile roof (Gault School fieldhouse, # 3433); pull next to (if you’re early) or into the next driveway on the left with two black mailboxes (# 3439 and # 3451), stop sign, and automatic gate (Gault Site).
  • Drive through the front automatic gate, down the gravel road, through the latched gate (re-latching it behind you in order to keep the friendly cows in), and meet at the barn.

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