Tag: plant identification

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For NPSOT members, Nov 17, preview “Native Plant Society of Texas Native Plant Database”

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From Meg Inglis, NPSOT Executive Director:

When: Thursday, November 17, 2022, 12 – 1 pm, via Zoom
What: NPSOT Native Plant Database demo

Claire Sorenson, Jon Lienhard and Stephanie Long saw a need and then took the initiative to create a Native Plant Society of Texas Native Plant Database. Their prototype uses Austin-area native plant information. Please join our demonstration of the database and give feedback. The session is free and open to all Society members!

Register at this link

You must log in to your Native Plant Society account to successfully register for the meeting. When you “Click to register online”, a “Log In” screen pops up. If you do not already have a login for the Native Plant Society – or if you have forgotten your login – fill in your email address and click “Recover Account.”

Immediately after registration watch for a registration confirmation email with Zoom meeting and Dropbox folder links. If you do not see the email, please check your junk mail.

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Adopting an Orphaned Kiosk

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– by Belinda and John Buescher

John and Belinda Buescher like to walk along a trail that connects their neighborhood (Parkside at Mayfield Ranch) to Williamson County’s Southwest Regional Park. The path is charming – bordered with Indian Blankets in late spring, punctuated with prickly pear, and dancing with butterflies in the summer. In winter the wind whispers through stands of little blue stem.

The county had constructed an information kiosk where the neighborhood trail met the park trail. But it had been neglected in recent years and had become, well, less than inviting:

image of an info kiosk
The orphaned kiosk.

The Bueschers offered to “adopt” the orphaned kiosk and spruce it up with native plant signs that NPSOT’s Field Trip Committee had already developed. The signs would be affixed with Velcro so they could be switched out seasonally. Committee Chair Kathy Galloway arranged a meeting with the park manager, Toby Bonnet, who enthusiastically accepted their offer.

The couple compiled a list of native plants along the trail. Kathy McCormack, a fellow NPSOT Field Trip Committee member, arranged for the printing and lamination of the signs. Toby consolidated the park information that would need to remain in the kiosk, leaving half of the display area for NPSOT information. Belinda ordered Velcro squares; John bought a vinyl tablecloth and a staple gun. And the fun began!

image of an info kiosk
Work underway.
image of completed kiosk
John, Belinda, and the finished kiosk.
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Up close.

NPSOT has now been invited to update all the kiosks in the park!

Photo credits:  “Before” photo by John Buescher.   Remaining photos by Kathy McCormack.

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New Plant Signs at Lake Creek Trail

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— by Kathy McCormack

An Eagle Scout candidate recently worked with the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) Williamson County chapter and the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department to install six new interpretive plant signs at the western end of Lake Creek Trail.

Sugar Hackberry, Celtis laevigata
Sugar Hackberry, Celtis laevigata

Maps for the new signs on this southern Williamson County trail can be found at the bottom of our chapter’s Interpretive Plant Signs webpage. A laminated interpretive plant sign has also been posted in the trailhead kiosk.

There is ample parking for this flat, paved 0.25-mile section of the trail. Check out the new signs when you get a chance!

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