Tag: field trips

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A Beautiful Day in the San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio Botanical Garden September 30 Field Trip Report

— by Erin Buhl

September 30th was the day of our field trip to the San Antonio Botanical Garden.  The weather was beautiful and a fun trip was had by all.  The group included around 18 people from our chapter, including several current and former members of the Round Rock High School Plant Club who provide so much assistance to us in our plant sales.  It is so wonderful to see these young botanists getting involved in our activities.

The field trip started at the main gate where they had a beautiful pumpkin patch area set up along with a small plant sale.  The tour was led by Michael Eason, the Associate Director for Conservation and Collections.  Michael is working on the garden’s rare and endangered Texas native plants collections.

image of group at field trip
Michael Eason (center) and garden staff sharing a few words with the field trip participants.

We then took a walking tour through part of the garden, including the Texas Native Trail.  The 11-acre Texas Native Trail contains more than 250 plant species in collections that represent three distinct and diverse ecological regions of Texas: the Hill Country/Edwards Plateau, the East Texas Pineywoods, and South Texas.  Michael discussed current state and future plans for this part of the garden.

image of garden sculpture
Showstopper view of a sculptural dragon covered in various plants in their conservatory area. From the current exhibit “Imaginary Worlds”.
image of group at field trip
Michael discussing the work in the Native Texas Trails area of the garden.

Next, we made our way to see the propagation work in the greenhouses.  They have plants that our chapter has provided for them from our plant rescue program. It was exciting to see our hard work really paying off and making a difference.  Michael also showed us some ways that our donation to the center has helped them, for example in helping to fund outdoor shade cloth structures for their potted plants to expand on their greenhouse space.

image inside greenhouse
The group with Michael in the greenhouses.

And finally, tour participants were able to purchase some plants from their native propagation area and we went to the garden’s café for a delicious lunch.

Photos by Erin Buhl


See photos from other field trips in our album=>

Field Trip Photo Album
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Field Trip: San Antonio Botanical Garden, Saturday, September 30, 2023

  • What:   San Antonio Botanical Garden Guided Tour
  • When:  10:00 AM – 12 PM, Saturday, September 30, 2023
    • Meet at 9:30 AM , at the main entrance kiosk, so the tour can start promptly at 10:00
  • Where:  555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209 (210-536-1400)
  • RSVP: Our field trip is free and open to the public, but please RSVP (instructions below)
  • (After the tour, those who wish to stay will meet for lunch at Good Time Charlie’s, 2922 Broadway, San Antonio.)

Our field trip is on Saturday, September 30, from 10am to 12pm. Meet at 9:30am so we can start the tour at 10:00 sharp. We’ll meet at the kiosk at the Garden’s main entrance.

The tour is approximately two hours and you are welcome to further explore the Garden after the tour ends. Participants on the tour will explore the Garden’s extensive native plant collections, including rare and endangered species; gain insights into the significance of native plants in supporting local ecosystems; learn about the Garden’s conservation efforts and initiatives to protect endangered plant species; and be able to ask all kinds of questions of the Garden’s knowledgeable horticulture staff.

Water bottles can be refilled and snacks are available at the gift shop but no outside food is allowed. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, especially comfortable walking shoes. Be prepared for sun by wearing sunscreen and a hat.

Please RSVP at this link so we have a head count. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 26. (The San Antonio Botanical Garden normally has an entrance fee. The fee is waived if you are on this field trip.)

NOTE: If you later find out that you cannot attend, please let us know. We’ll inform the Garden so they can plan ahead for the number of expert guides needed that day. Click Contact Us to let us know by email or contact form.

If you have a question before you RSVP, click on Contact Us to send your question by email or contact form.

Aerial view of garden
Meet you at the San Antonio Botanical Garden!
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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