Twelve NPSOT-Wilco members completed Plant Survey #12 at Hidden Springs Preserve!
Three areas of the preserve were surveyed; the unusual summer rain kept vegetation green through the summer.
Notable plants included Eryngo, Brazos Rain Lilies, White Rosinweed, Snow-on-the-Mountain, Dotted Gayfeather, Mintweed, and Velvet Bundleweed. A number of late summer grasses were identified and added to the plant list.
This was the last survey at Hidden Springs in the series of twelve field trips over the last three years to include a survey in each month of the year. A plant list will be maintained for the preserve, and future field trips will add any new species that are found there.
[Photo: Bee in Brazos rain lily, Sept 7 at Hidden Springs. By Cindy Chrisler.]
See photos from this field trip and others in our album=>
Our 12th and final plant survey field trip to Hidden Springs Preserve is on Sept 7, 2024, 8:30am-11:00am. With this trip, we’ll complete our survey project at this Williamson County property. Hope you can join us!
Our field trip is free and open to the public, BUT…
The preserve is not open to the general public. See important details later in this post.
With this field trip, we’re completing our work at the preserve! In 2021, the NPSOT-Wilco Field Trip Committee was invited to conduct a plant survey at Williamson County’s Hidden Springs Preserve (not open to the public). The result was the committee’s plan to visit the property every calendar month of the year over a 2-3 year period. September 7’s trip is our 12th and final survey trip at this location.
Since this is our last field trip to Hidden Springs, the field trip team is planning on going out to lunch afterwards and all are welcome to join them.
Be prepared for extensive walking on uneven, open terrain. Wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water, field guides, and something to take notes on and with. Members at all plant knowledge levels can help on survey field trips.Beginners are welcome!
Please plan on arriving by 8:45 AM – there is a padlock on the front gate, and it will be locked shortly after 8:45 AM
Reservations are not required.Please feel free to contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here) beforehand if you have any questions.
Directions:
Take IH-35 north to Exit 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
Turn left and follow SH 195 toward Florence.
Go through Florence, take the TX 138 exit (you will be near the City of Florence’s water tower with the bison on it), and then turn left onto TX 138.
After a little over two miles, turn right onto CR 224.
After about half a mile, at the fork in the road, bear to the left and stay on CR 224. Note that a car GPS system may indicate that you should bear to the right – this is incorrect.
After another half a mile, look for a green metal gate on your right (north side of street). There is a large wooden sign “Hidden Springs” sign between two flagpoles behind the fence. The address is 978 County Road 224, Florence, TX, but there is no number on the gate. (The gate is across the street from 981 CR 224.)
When you arrive, directions will be given as to where to park.
————– See photos from our earlier survey trips to Hidden Springs Preserve.
