Category: Native Plants

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Let’s Preserve Berry Springs Park and Preserve

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The following letter from Robert Kamper recently appeared in the Williamson County Sun. Several members of NPSOT-Wilco felt that we should reprint it, along with a full color photo of the wildflower meadow mentioned below. Additional information from the October 4 hearing is also provided, as well as who and how to contact the parties involved:

image of wildflower meadow
Wildflower meadow, Berry Springs Park & Preserve

A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words. Here is a picture of the beautiful wildflower meadow at Berry Springs Park and Preserve. Picture in your mind’s eye that instead of that meadow, what it might look like with a trench a hundred feet wide running through it and fifty feet deep with a wastewater line running through it.  Imagine it would look like an IH-35 construction zone with a toilet in the middle of it.

Although running a sewage line through the middle of Berry Springs Park and Preserve might be the cheapest, shortest, and easiest solution from an engineering point of view, it is the wrong decision from almost any other point of view. And all points of view must be taken into account.

A word in the title of Berry Springs Park and Preserve should also be taken into account: “Preserve.”

 According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the definition of a “Preserve” as a noun is “an area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources (such as animals or plants).” As a transitive verb, it means “to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : PROTECT.” In no way will a wastewater line through Berry Springs Park and Preserve reflect the meaning of that word.

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Charles Newsom, who has been active in the implementation of the interpretive plant signs found at Berry Springs, reports from the October 4, 2018 meeting to gather public input that “The last place you would want to dig a trench for a pipeline, from an engineering point of view, is in an area full of seeps and springs. For this reason alone the pipeline should not go through Berry Springs Park.  One of the engineers at the meeting indicated that it is 100% likely they will hit a seep or spring while digging.  When that happens it triggers a lot of extra work and expense.”

So even though it might seem like the easiest and cheapest way to go, it is likely to run over schedule, over budget, and destroy a natural resource that was intended to be a preserve.

Our Williamson County NPSOT chapter vice-president, Kathy McCormack, has provided the following information on submitting comments on this project. (You do not need to be a member of NPSOT-Wilco to make your voice heard):

If you missed the public meeting on October 4, 2018, you can still send your public comments to:

  • City of Georgetown
  • Attn:  Systems of Engineering
  • P.O. Box 409
  • Georgetown, Texas  78627

OR

ms@georgetown.org

The public comment can be as simple as, “I do not approve of the proposed routes for the Berry Creek Wastewater Interceptor Pipeline near or through Berry Springs Preserve.”  Include your contact information (mailing address, phone, and/or email address) if you want to be included on any future stakeholder communication.

You can also send your public comments to the Williamson County Judge and Commissioners at (all information obtained from http://www.wilco.org/Elected-Officials):

If you live in Williamson County, you can find your Commissioner at https://gis.wilco.org/maps/?viewer=countymap (click on Map Layers in the bottom left, then check the box next to Commissioner Precincts under the Administrative Boundaries heading).  Note that Berry Springs Preserve is located within Precinct 3.

If you are unaware of what is about, here are some links to past publications on the subject:

Let us help our elected officials and civic servants make an informed choice that reflects the values we hold dear.

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Nov 8 Meeting: “Native Texas Plants for Butterflies”, at AgriLife

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Our November 8 meeting is in the AgriLife building on Inner Loop in Georgetown, NOT at the Georgetown library.  The AgriLife address is at the bottom of this post.

This month, Lynne and Jim Weber will speak about “Native Texas Plants for Butterflies” bringing their observations and expertise to the world of Lepidoptera.

Lynne and Jim are certified Texas Master Naturalists and Lynne is past president of the Capital Area chapter.  They are the authors of Nature Watch Austin, Nature Watch Big Bend and Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies, all published by Texas A&M University Press.

The Weber’s volunteer activities include: Golden-cheeked Warbler surveys, guided hikes, property monitoring & invasive plant mapping/control for the City of Austin Wildland Conservation Division; Lepidoptera curating & outreach for the University of Texas Insect Collection; Colima Warbler surveys for Big Bend National Park; Certified Habitat Stewards for the National Wildlife Federation; owners of a private 8-acre preserve now part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve; nature writers & photographers for newsletters & other publications.  Lynne has served on the Big Bend Natural History Association (BBNHA) Board of Directors & and is a member of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Citizens Advisory Council. Jim has served as a member of the BBNHA Advisory Board & the Board of Directors for the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute.

Check out Lynne and Jim’s NatureWatch blog.

Danaus giilppus, Queen butterfly on Conoclinium greggii, Gregg's Mistflower
Danaus giilppus, Queen butterfly on Conoclinium greggii, Gregg’s Mistflower

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NPSOT-Williamson County meets the second Thursday of each month, 7 to 8:30 pm.  Meetings are free and open to the public.  Arrive early (6:30 pm) to visit, or to check out available information or seed swaps and chat with other native plant enthusiasts.

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Field Trip: NEWCOMER’S WALK – FALL: Old Settlers Park, Round Rock

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— by Vicky Husband
Sunday, Nov 04, 2018, 1:30pm-4:00pm.  Walk the loop in the largest public park in Round Rock for an introduction on how to identify native plants in their natural habitat.  This is the last of four seasonal walks at the Old Settler’s Park location… our goal is to practice identifying native plants during their annual growth cycle of winter, spring, summer and fall. Field guides and cameras are encouraged!  3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665, (Hwy 79 east of IH 35).

DIRECTIONS: Park at 901 Harrell Parkway, Round Rock, TX 78665.  Look for the signs to Soccer Fields 4-7 and RC Airplanes. We should have a couple of NPSOT signs out to help. Be prepared for walking on even, open terrain, wear sturdy clothes appropriate for the weather, closed toe shoes, and bring water and snacks as needed. Restrooms are available. Please plan on arriving a little early to sign a state NPSOT waiver. No reservation is required, but you may contact Gary Bowers (removed) if you have any questions.

Directions from Georgetown via IH-35: MAP & Directions from Georgetown. Or, click here for full Google driving directions
Take IH-35 South to Exit #253 (Palm Valley Blvd/Hwy 79) and proceed to the light. Taco Bell will be on your right.
Turn left (east) and follow Hwy 79 for 3.4 miles to Harrell Parkway (road at the Dell Diamond / Main Park Entrance of Old Settlers Park / Salt Lick).
Turn left (north) and proceed into the park for 0.8 miles to the 2nd parking area just past the low water crossing/bridge on the right.

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