Category: Field Trips

Chapter Field Trips

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Trip Report: Godwin Ranch Preserve

— by Cindy Chrisler

image of blooming flower
Godwin Ranch, May 2025. Photo by Cindy Chrisler.

Fifteen NPSOT members and Good Water Master Naturalists conducted the second plant survey at Godwin Ranch Preserve on Saturday, May 24. The preserve, created as a mitigation for Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park, is tucked away on Williams Drive near DB Wood Road in Georgetown.  It is managed by Eléonore Le Corvaisier, a director of the Texas Cave Management Association.

Fresh faces aided plant identification of the early summer wildflowers in abundance at the preserve.  Over 70 species of plants were observed during the two hours spent leisurely walking the loop and exploring open meadows along the path.  We marveled at the size of Antelope Horns Milkweed pods on several plants deep in the preserve. Notable finds included Meadow Pinks, Firewheel, Pasture Heliotrope, and Prairie Brazoria. 

Other sites of interest along the loop included a kiosk and benches built by local Boy Scout troops, a water guzzler for the wildlife, and karst cave entrances.  The preserve has been explored by the local cave group as well as Nature Trackers. 

The next survey is scheduled for August 24.

image of path in woods
Godwin Ranch, May 2025. Photo by Greg Donica.

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See photos from this trip and others in our album =>

Field Trip Photo Album

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Field Trip Reminder, Saturday, May 24, Godwin Ranch Preserve Plant Survey

— by Cindy Chrisler

  • What:    Plant survey and tour of the Godwin Ranch Preserve
  • When:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 24, 2025
  • Where:  Near the corner of DB Wood Road and Williams Drive in Georgetown. 
  • Members and non-members are welcome! No RSVP is required.

Join NPSOT members on the second of four scheduled plant surveys at the Godwin Ranch Preserve in Georgetown. This 100 acre preserve is a mitigation for the construction of Lakeline Mall in Austin and will not be developed. Plant lists will be combined to form a master list for the preserve.

All levels of plant identification expertise are welcome. Even if you don’t know plants, each participant is an observer and may notice and draw attention to something others do not.

Park at the CVS Pharmacy and walk east along Williams Drive to the gated entrance (a quarter mile or less).  There will be a NPSOT sign at the gate.  If walking that distance is a problem, you may be dropped off at the gate but there is no parking along Williams Drive or in the preserve.

There are no restrooms or water, so please plan accordingly. Bring your own water and snacks.  Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, use bug spray and sunscreen, and wear a hat. 

We will walk around a mostly flat mowed path for about a mile and a half. There are some rocks and stumps that may pose a trip hazard, and walking sticks are recommended. In addition to plants, you will see several species of birds. You may put observations on iNaturalist but please obscure any rare plants.

If you have questions, please contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here).

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See photos from some of our previous field trips in our Field Trip Album.

Field Trip Album

Posted on

Field Trip: Godwin Ranch Preserve Plant Survey, Saturday, May 24, 2025

— by Cindy Chrisler

image of wildflower
Godwin Ranch, March 2025. Photo by Cindy Chrisler.
  • What:    Plant survey and tour of the Godwin Ranch Preserve
  • When:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 24, 2025
  • Where:  Near the corner of DB Wood Road and Williams Drive in Georgetown. 
  • Members and non-members are welcome! No RSVP is required.

Join NPSOT members on the second of four scheduled plant surveys at the Godwin Ranch Preserve in Georgetown.  This 100 acre preserve is a mitigation for the construction of Lakeline Mall in Austin and will not be developed.

Park at the CVS Pharmacy and walk east along Williams Drive to the gated entrance (a quarter mile or less).  There will be a NPSOT sign at the gate.  If walking that distance is a problem, you may be dropped off at the gate but there is no parking along Williams Drive or in the preserve. 

There are no restrooms or water, so please plan accordingly. Bring your own water and snacks.  Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, use bug spray and sunscreen, and wear a hat.

Depending on the number of people who show up, we will take a walk around a mostly flat mowed path for about a mile and a half. There are some rocks and stumps that may pose a trip hazard, and walking sticks are recommended.  If time allows we may break up into groups to survey different habitats within the preserve. 

You may put observations on iNaturalist but please obscure any rare plants.  In addition to plants, you will see several species of birds.

If you have questions, please contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here).

————–
See photos from some of our previous field trips in our Field Trip Album.

Field Trip Album