Category: Native Plants

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Meeting Reminder: February 8, “Land Stewardship for Birds and the Importance of Native Plant Communities” with Rufus Stephens and Jan Wrede

Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, February 8, 2024, when our featured topic will be “Land Stewardship for Birds and the Importance of Native Plant Communities” with Rufus Stephens and Jan Wrede.  Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  Our guest speakers’ presentation begins after a short business meeting.

Read more about this month’s topic in our previous meeting announcement. Our guest speakers will have copies of their book available for sale at the in-person meeting, Land Stewardship for Birds: A Guide for Central Texas. $50. Cash and check only.

==> If you attend in person, we’re at the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor, 402 West 8th St, Georgetown, TX 78626.  Come early (6:30 PM) for expert advice, to check out the seed swap board, or just to visit.

==> To attend via Zoom, register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd–upjwiGNYYJIN_dT56MGzF23wZ-a_F#/registration

Have an idea for a speaker?  Let Program Leader Susie Hickman know via  email to wilco-chapter@npsot.org.

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. We hope you attend!  Meetings may be in person, virtual, or both, so be sure to check details in the meeting announcement. Meetings are announced on our website, our calendar and Facebook. See upcoming topics on our page Wilco Home or on our Calendar.

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Plant rescue in SE Round Rock, February 10, 2024

Volunteer with us Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 10am-1pm in SE Round Rock as we rescue plants from a small meadow site prior to construction. There is roadside parking, but it’s a 1/5 of a mile walk on sidewalks to get to the site. The plant list and further details can be found at the SignUp link below.

You must be a current NPSOT member (any chapter) and at least 18 to attend. (Join NPSOT or renew here.)

Click here to sign up.

Learn more about the Native Plant Rescue Project at this link.

image of Heterotheca canescens, Hoary False Goldenaster
Heterotheca canescens, Hoary False Goldenaster, can be rescued on the site.
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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.