October 8 Chapter Meeting: โ€œExploring Native Aquatic Plants: In the Pond”ย with Ryan O’Hanlon @ GT Public Library

Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when our featured topic will be “Exploring Native Aquatic Plants: In the Pond” with Ryan O’Hanlon. Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  The guest presentation begins after a short business meeting.

image of White Water-lily
White Water-lily, Nymphaea odorata. Lake Waco Wetlands. Chapter field trip.

About our topic: This presentation will explore the diverse and essential native aquatic plants, their benefits, and how they can be used in ponds. We’ll introduce and identify key native species, such as pickerelweed, white water lily, and eelgrass. A key focus will be on how and where to use these species to benefit ponds, pollinators, and the ecosystem.

About our speaker: Ryan earned his Bachelorโ€™s and Masterโ€™s of Science from Texas A&M. Currently he serves as the Aquatic Vegetation and Habitat Manager for Stonefly Aquatic Nursery and as the President of the Texas Aquatic Plant Management Society (TAPMS). Outside of work Ryan can be found with his wife and three kids running around the house or around a pond.

==> This monthโ€™s in-person location is the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor, 402 West 8th St, Georgetown, TX 78626. Come early (6:30 PM) for expert advice, to check out the seed swap board, or just to visit.

==> To attend via Zoom, register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Y-Q2XkYGTdGW6urCV8MmKQ#/registration

(Unless an exception is noted for this meeting earlier in this post, its video will be added to our YouTube channel asap. We publish a blog post to let you know when it’s available.)

At every meeting, we give away a book โ€” about native plants or the meeting topic โ€” to one randomly chosen in-person attendee!


Have an idea for a speaker?  Let Program Leader Susie Hickman know via  email to wilco-chapter@npsot.org.

If we have permission from our guest speaker, the presentation is recorded for our YouTube channel. See a list of past topics at this link.

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. We hope you attend!ย  Meetings may be in person, virtual, or both, so be sure to check details in the meeting announcement. Meetings are announced on our website, our calendar and Facebook. See upcoming topics on our Home page or on the Calendar.

Field Trip: Aquatic Plants Tour, San Marcos, Saturday, July 26, 2025

— by Nancy Pumphrey

image of White Water-lily
White Water-lily, Nymphaea odorata. Lake Waco Wetlands. Chapter field trip in July 2013.
  • What:    Aquatic Plants Tour, San Marcos, TX
  • When:  Saturday, July 26, 2025, 12:30pm – 2:30 pm
    • There is a $3.00 parking fee payable by card only.
    • Meet at the tour ticket kiosk, but do not buy a tour ticket. The chapter is covering ticket costs.
  • Where:  The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, 211 San Marcos Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666
  • You must register for the field trip by Sunday, July 20. Use the RSVP form at this link.
    • Reservations are required since we must reserve space in advance.
  • Our field trip is open to the public.

Join us for an out of town field trip to The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment located on the San Marcos River.

For detailed directions go to https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu. There is a $3.00 parking fee payable by card only.

We will meet at 12:30pm, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the tour ticket kiosk. Do not buy a tour ticket. The chapter is covering tour ticket costs for this trip.

Bring water, a hat, sun screen and bug repellent. Our tour consists of a one and a half hour tour on a glass bottom boat and a short wetlands walk. Casey Williams will facilitate the trip. (Bonus reminder! Casey shared his expertise with us at last August’s chapter meeting; the presentation is on YouTube here.)

We need a head count by July 20th so please fill out our form and submit it asap so that we have a place for you.  See you in San Marcos!

If you have questions, please contact the Field Trip Committee.

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See photos from some of our previous field trips in our Field Trip Album.