Tag: volunteer appreciation

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Lots Done at the Landfill Pollinator Garden’s Workday

— by Nancy Pumphrey

Under threatening skies on Sunday November 19, 2023, eight volunteers from Master Naturalists and NPSOT tidied up the pollinator garden at the Williamson County Landfill. Louis, from Waste Management, had the place mowed and weed-whacked and it was ready for some sprucing up. We added Texas Cupgrass (Eriochloa sericea), Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridius), Zexmenia (Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispid), Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides), Crucita a.k.a. Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium odorata), Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), and Rayless Grindelia (Grindelia squarrosa) to replace plants that had expired.

The mulch did not materialize as expected but that was ok considering the bluebonnets were already showing. We were able to get some weeding done and the rain barrel Gary fixed seemed to be holding water. So all together, it was a successful day! Thanks to all who came and it is looking like it will be a great spring out there. For those who were not able to join us, we will have another workday in the spring, date not yet determined.

If you have never been to this garden it is open to the public. Sunday is the best time to go as the landfill is closed so there is no traffic and it’s safe to park along the road.

About the garden: The Pollinator Garden is a collaboration of the NPSOT-Wilco chapter, Good Water Master Naturalists, and Williamson County Waste Management, located at the entrance to the Williamson County Landfill, at the corner of FM 1660 and Landfill Road in Hutto, TX, across from the Recycling Center. The garden includes a Monarch Waystation and is a Certified Texas Wildscape. Volunteers help maintain the garden when the collaborating organizations announce a maintenance work day.  Anyone interested is invited to help!

image of large native plant garden
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Congratulations to Kathy McCormack!

— by Nancy Copperman

Congratulations to chapter member Kathy McCormack!  

On October 11, NPSOT announced that Kathy is a recipient of the Benny J. Simpson Fellows Award for 2023. This award is presented by the Society to a member for work that enriches the Society at the state or chapter level, recognizing service to the Society and embodying “grass roots” recognition of an awardee by their fellow NPSOT members.  See NPSOT’s announcement of all 2023 awards at this link.

Among her many contributions to NPSOT and the Williamson County Chapter, Kathy has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining our interpretive plant signs program which provides native plant signs along trails in public parks and other locations in Williamson County. The signs include QR codes so the public can easily find additional information on a plant using a smartphone or tablet.  She helped GPS all the plant sign locations for our maps and provided other info and updates for display in the county park kiosks. 

Kathy helped whenever needed out in the field finding specimens for NLCP classes even though she was not on the NLCP committee.  She has worked on numerous plant surveys over the years continuing up to the current work at Hidden Springs Preserve. Kathy has been a long time member of the field trip committee where we plan the adventures we offer to chapter members and the public. Any time she is needed, Kathy sees that a job is done.

Congratulations, Kathy, from all of us!

Nancy Copperman
President, NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter