Tag: field trips

Posted on

Progressive Field Trip, July 12 (Murphy Park & more)

— by Kathy Galloway

Join us as we visit special projects supported by our chapter and see how hours of dedicated volunteer work have created visible improvements for the community.

  • What:  Progressive Field Trip — starts in Hutto; ends in Taylor
  • When: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 9:00am-12:00pm
  • Where:  Williamson County Landfill (Hutto), Murphy Park (Taylor). Location details below.
  • Optional Lunch: Plowman’s Kitchen (Taylor)

Our field trips are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Dress for the weather.  We will be on paths or grass so there is no need for protection except from the sun, heat, and maybe the chiggers. We recommend a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water.

Stop #1 Meet Here @ 9 AM – Williamson County Landfill, 600 Landfill Rd, Hutto, TX.  This long-standing project began at the request of the landfill to help beautify the entrance. Our chapter continues this work in partnership with the Good Water Master Naturalist program.  Gary Bowers is the leader for refreshing and maintenance and has worked with Waste Management staff to achieve WHC Certification for the site.  Join him and other wacky weeders on the third Sunday of each month to help.

After Stop #1, continue 11 miles to …

Stop #2 – Murphy Park – 1600 Veterans Dr, Taylor.  Originally started as a butterfly garden by a former member, this project was later left untended when no one took it over. It has now been revived—much like the butterflies it was created to support.  Leland Haefner with the help of  other Taylor residents pitch in to keep the garden looking its best. 

Continue 2 miles to …

Stop #3 – Optional Lunch – After the tour, you are invited to join the group for a Dutch-treat lunch at Plowman’s Kitchen, 305 West 9th Street, Taylor. The restaurant is located in the former Taylor ISD Band Hall, now refurbished as a dining space.

Hope to see you there! If you have questions, contact the Field Trip Committee here. 

image of field trip route on screenshot of map

————–
See photos from some past field trips.

Field Trip Photo Album
Posted on

Two field trips in June! June 7 & June 13

Open to the public! Bring your own water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, etc.  The fun happens in Round Rock on June 7 and on June 13.

  • Sunday, June 7, 2026 – 1:30-3:30 – Tour Round Rock’s Bob Bennett Utility & Transportation Building at 3400 Sunrise Road in Round Rock, featuring the Partnership for Water Wise Communities and the City of Round Rock Landscape Project.

[Updated on 6/4 to correct the first bullet. June 7 is a Sunday, not Saturday.]

Posted on

Field Trip: Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Sunday, October 26, 2025

— Cindy Chrisler

Renovations and improvements are near completion at Berry Springs Park and Preserve in Georgetown. Improvements include the new Milkweed Trail that takes visitors to the newly opened South Acres, across the county road from the main entrance. We will take a leisurely walk from the Donkey Viewing Area to the Milkweed Trail entrance, under the bridge where CR 152 crosses Berry Creek. The Milkweed Trail is about a mile of mowed grass or mulched pathways that encircle a 30 acre meadow and meander through the tip of an historic  pecan grove. We will encounter some riparian habitat along Berry Creek and  Dry Berry Creek, where flying squirrels and swamp rabbits have been documented. Bring your camera to capture late summer flowers, bees, butterflies, and birds. Visitors are allowed to harvest pecans if you can beat the squirrels to them.

  • What: Easy walk for about 1.5 miles on mulch, mowed grass, and pavement
  • When: Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Where:  Berry Springs Park and Preserve, 1801 CR 152, Georgetown, TX. Meet at the donkey compound.

The field trip is open to all, members and non-members, and no RSVP is required. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and bring water and snacks. We recommend using bug spray and sunscreen.

Directions from the south via I-35:  From I-35, take exit 265 and stay on the service road for about 0.7 miles. Turn right at the stop sign for TX 130 and remain on its service road for about 0.8 miles. Turn left on CR 152 and proceed for about a mile to the park entrance. Turn left into the park and proceed about a quarter mile to the first parking lot. Park in front of the Visitor’s Center or the donkey compound. Meet at the donkey compound.

There is no entry fee. Take a few minutes before or after the field trip to visit the new Visitor’s Center and pet the donkeys!

There are restrooms and water stations at the Visitor’s Center, at the top parking lot, and in the campground. There are small pollinator gardens at the end of the entrance avenue, at the campground entrance, near the large pavilion, and at the observation deck for the springs. 

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
image of wildflower meadow
Wildflower meadow at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, May 2013. Photo by Bob Kamper.