Tag: landscaping

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Online Chapter Meeting Nov 12: “Managing a Native Landscape in an Urban Institutional Environment” with Justin Hayes

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[Post updated 11/3/2020 to add the Zoom link and 10/27/2020 to add more information about the topic. PD]

Join NPSOT-Wilco’s online chapter meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 7:00 pm, when guest speaker Justin Hayes will present Managing a Native Landscape in an Urban Institutional Environment.

You must register in advance to attend the meeting.  You’ll find instructions later in this article.

About the topic:  Now that I have managed the Dell/Seton Medical campus for 4 years, there have been many successes and failures. New techniques made and old techniques brought back into use. I will go through many of the different ways we manage, as well as I will try to include a good amount of pictures that show what my crew and the University are doing to increase sustainability and still have an award winning landscape.

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About our speaker: Justin Hayes has been in the landscaping industry for 20 years. Starting at the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 as a gardener, he worked his way up to crew leader and eventually supervisor of the SITES Gold certified Dell Medical District landscape.   He and his team won the Texas Turf Association’s “Best Turf in Texas” contest in 2012 for their work on the campus’ University Avenue landscape.

He received his National Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) Organic Land Care Accreditation in 2017. In addition, he is Grow Green certified as well as Level 3 certified through the Native Plant Society of Texas.

In June 2020, Justin took over a larger part of campus in which the more sustainable methods from the Medical District will be implemented. Justin is now on his 3rd year of serving on the Employee Engagement Council.

Register to Attend

You must register in advance to attend, using the link below. After registering, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to join the meeting.

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. In this time of public health risk, our in-person meetings and field trips are canceled until further notice.

Check our blog announcements, calendar and Facebook for developing plans for virtual meetings and virtual field trips.

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Program Summary for Feb 13: Wildlife in Your Garden with Kelly Simon

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— by Randy Pensabene

At our February 13, 2020 chapter meeting, Kelly Conrad Simon showed the audience how to use a variety of native plants to create a Texas Wildscape that can meet human needs for a visually appealing landscape while also providing the plants much-needed by wildlife. She demonstrated how by providing the basic elements of habitat (food, shelter and water) in your garden, Texans can attract an exciting variety of birds, butterflies, frogs and lizards and bring the beauty and vitality of nature home.

The most important step in developing a Wildscape is learning about the plants and soils that characterize your region. Since wildlife thrives in the presence of plants they have adapted to, native plants are encouraged in Wildscapes. Introduced plants are not good substitutes for the native plants used by wildlife.

Plants native to your area provide both food and shelter requirements for wildlife. Select plants for their food value as well as plants that will grow to different heights and density. This layering effect will allow wildlife to select areas they find most comfortable.

View Kelly’s presentation at this link.

Learn about native plants through the Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)  with classes focused on the local area. Find schedule info here.

You can see the February 13, 2020 business presentation slides here.

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Program Summary: Sep 12, Getting Started with Texas Native Plants Panel

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— by Randy Pensabene

On Sept 12th, we held a discussion panel on “Getting Started with Texas Native Plants”. Members and guests were treated to a panel of local NPSOT members who have experience working with and teaching others about native plants.

A few days before the meeting, a survey was sent to solicit questions. These questions were included in a step-by-step ‘how-to’ overview presentation. Additional questions were taken during the meeting.

The presentation covered:

  • how to plan a landscape
  • prepare your bed
  • select and install native plants
  • plant establishment and maintenance

The panel discussion also covered three different methods of killing lawn grass to create a bed area for planting. Our handout gave everyone specific information on the processes presented and included recommended websites and books to find more information.

So, whether you were new to the area and wanted to know what to plant, were looking for ideas on different native plants to work with, or had a burning question regarding native plants, or just wanted to know more about the Texas Native Plant Society, your needs were addressed.

You can see the August 12, 2019 business presentation slides here.

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