Tag: field trips

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Trip Report: July 15’s Three Stops in Wilco

— by Cindy Chrisler

Over a dozen NPSOT-Wilco members participated in the Progressive Field Trip on July 15, 2023.  A pleasant breeze greeted us at the first stop, Papilionem Natives, a two-greenhouse operation dedicated to native milkweed propagation.  Adelis Cardenas shared her tips on potting medium, germination techniques, and more as we toured her greenhouses and native plant gardens. 

image of group listening to a speaker
Adelis Cardenas welcomes NPSOT members to Papilionem Natives in Round Rock
image of group in garden
Kathy Galloway introduces Sue Misiti of the Patterson Community Garden in Hutto

The heat was starting to build as we toured the Peterson Community Garden and Monarch Waystation in Hutto.  Peterson Community Garden volunteers gave us a history of the garden and a tour that included an active beehive, antique farming equipment, and a variety of native flowers that bloom in the heat of Texas summers.

Our last stop was Murphy Park in Taylor which boasts a Monarch Waystation, small native gardens, and a rookery for egrets.  Sue Wiseman showed us a mature Texas Palm, which has mostly been extirpated in Texas due to overharvesting.  We ended the field trip with a delightful lunch at Plowman’s Kitchen in Taylor.

group by Texas Palm
Sue Wiseman identifies the Texas Palm at Murphy Park in Taylor

Photos by Cindy Chrisler


Photos from this trip are in our field trip album=>

Field Trip Photo Album
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Progressive Field Trip, July 15 (Murphy Park & more)

[Updated July 1, 2023. Papilionem Natives address and parking detail. Overall route map.]

— by Kathy Galloway

Come along on our July field trip exploring Williamson County. Because of the heat, we will be making three short stops with air-conditioned rides in-between.

  • What:  Progressive Field Trip — starts in Round Rock; ends in Taylor
  • When: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 9:00am-12:00pm
  • Where:  Papilionem Natives nursery (Round Rock), Peterson Community Garden (Hutto), Murphy Park (Taylor). See 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 and heat, and maybe the chiggers. We recommend a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water.   

Stop #1 Meet Here @ 9 AM – Papilionem Natives nursery- 1709 Windy Park Drive, Round Rock.  The grower specializes exclusively in native milkweeds to Texas and will give us a short tour.

image of parking area

After Stop #1, continue 8.9 miles to …

Stop #2 – Peterson Community Garden – 205 Hutto St, Hutto.  We will be met by members of Keep Hutto Beautiful, who have valiantly worked in this garden. 

Continue 9.6 miles to …

Stop #3 – Murphy Park – 1600 Veterans Dr, Taylor.  We will look at a Monarch Way Station and notice the Sabal palms in the park.

Continue 2 miles to …

Stop #4 – Optional Lunch – Join several of us for lunch at Plowman’s Kitchen – 305 West 9th Street, Taylor. Good food is in what was the band hall of a defunct Taylor school.

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

image of field trip route

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See photos from some past field trips.

Field Trip Photo Album