Tag: plant surveys

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Hidden Springs Feb 13 Field Trip Report

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— By Nancy Pumphrey

image of a group of people
Plant survey trip February 2022.

February 13th was a beautiful day up at Hidden Springs Preserve. We had a good showing of 20 people and explored the southeast quadrant of the preserve.

Even though it was still winter and most things were dormant, it was easy to spot the first early signs of spring. Wild geraniums, anemone and watercress were spotted just beginning to come up. Of course, the small bluebonnet rosettes were seen.

Around the pond in a wet area, we saw a forest of common button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) but they were bare on this date. It will be fun to revisit these in the summer. This was near the watercress (Rorippa Nasturtium-aquaticum) of course.

We went from wet areas to drier slopes with many different plants noted. It was easy to see our native evergreens on this trip although there are not many. On the drive in, I spotted one of my favorites – nolina. It was standing all alone out in the full sun with a large clump of evergreen leaves.

We had a very diverse group of individuals with us for a wonderful hike through this lovely preserve. Botanists, beginners, experts and high school students joined us on this sunny mid-winter adventure to learn and teach about Texas Native Plants.

We even made it back in time to see the Super Bowl kickoff!

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Field Trip: Saturday, March 19, 2022, Gault Archeological Site Plant Survey, 9:30am

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Gault Archeological Site Field Trip & Plant Survey
  • When:  Saturday, March 19, 2022, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Where:  3439 FM2843, Florence, TX 76527  on the Williamson/Bell County line. (NOTE: The entrance gate may be open for a limited time. See details below.)

We are returning to the Gault Archeological Site — the location of discoveries related to the earliest peoples of the Americas — for the first time since November of 2017 to update plant survey work from 2009.

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.  Solar toilets and porta-potties are available.

Please plan on arriving by 9:15 AM – the front automatic gate may be closed shortly after 9:30 AM.  Stay for a burger lunch in Andice afterwards.

The field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are NOT required.  If you have questions, please contact Sue Wiseman using this form.

People at all levels of plant knowledge can help on survey field trips — a great way to see native plants in their habitats and learn with others.  Beginners are welcome!  Read more about survey field trips at this link.

Directions:

  • Take IH-35 north to Exit # 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
  • Turn left and follow SH 195 for 15 miles to Florence.
  • Take the Florence/FM 487 exit, then turn right off the access road onto FM 487, and go a little less than 4 miles.
  • Turn left onto FM 2843 and go about 3 miles.
  • Just past the microwave tower on the left, there is a house on the left with a red tile roof (Gault School fieldhouse, # 3433); pull next to (if you’re early) or into the next driveway on the left with two black mailboxes (# 3439 and # 3451), stop sign, and automatic gate (Gault Site).
  • Drive through the front automatic gate, down the gravel road, through the latched gate (re-latching it behind you in order to keep the friendly cows in), and meet at the barn.

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Field Trip on Sunday, February 13, 2022, Hidden Springs Preserve Plant Survey #4, 1:30pm

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image of a sign

— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Hidden Springs Preserve Field Trip
  • When:  1:30pm-4:30pm, Sunday, February 13, 2022
  • Where:  978 CR 224, Florence, TX.
  • Our field trip is open to the public, but the preserve is not open to the general public.  See important details later in this post.

We’re continuing our Hidden Springs project with Plant Survey #4 of 12.

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.

Please plan on arriving by 1:30 – there is a padlock on the front gate, and it will be locked shortly after 1:45.  Reservations are not required.  Please feel free to contact Kathy Galloway (contact form here) if you have any questions.   We will follow the latest CDC instructions for covid safety

People at all levels of plant knowledge can help on survey field trips. The trips are a great way to see native plants in their habitats and learn with other members.  Beginners are welcome!  Read more about survey field trips at this link.

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.
  • Continue straight through the four-way stop at the intersection with Business 195, and 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.

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