Calendar
As birds, butterflies and bees become increasingly imperiled, more homeowners are creating gardens to nurture and sustain pollinators. These dynamic gardens not only support wildlife but also provide an attractive and healthy environment for people.
Master gardener and naturalist Glenn Olsen explains which wildflowers, flowering shrubs, fruit trees and even vegetables offer food and shelter for pollinators. Learn to create an outdoor oasis for yourself and for pollinating creatures. The class includes a field trip to the Rice University Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden, the Urban Pocket Prairie and the Lynn Lowery Arboretum. To register and for more details, visit glasscockcatalog.rice.edu.
Join the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Save Water Texas Coalition for a Clean Waters Initiative Field Trip on August 8 to learn more about the coalition’s programs and tour its brand new Water Quality Mobile Teaching Lab.
The meeting and tour will be at the North Harris County Regional Water Authority, 3648 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston. Please dress in cool, comfortable, casual clothing appropriate for outdoor weather. Parking is available but carpooling would be helpful if several folks from one organization are attending. Transportation will not be provided to the meeting location.
The Save Water Texas Coalition’s mission is to promote public understanding and discourse about the challenge and opportunity to secure the state’s water future.Coalition focuses include water conservation, water reuse, and water pollution education and outreach to assure sustainability of groundwater and surface water resources for our state. Examples of resources include PattyPotty.com, SunflowerSuzie.com, TexasWaterHog.com, and much more.
For more information about the field trip or the Clean Waters Initiative workshop series, please contact Brian.Sims@h-gac.com or 713-993-2438.Â
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETYÂ OF TEXAS HOUSTON CHAPTER
WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP
Wildscapes Workshop, a one-day, not-to-be-missed educational event and local native plant sale. This year’s event will involve featured speakers providing up-to-date information on the relationship between native plants and our local wildlife and environment, and Houston’s prairie history, culture, and its future.
Wildscapes Workshop benefits local native plant gardens, grants, and scholarships.
NPSOT promotes research, conservation, and utilization of native plants and habitats through education, outreach, and example.
Register at NativePlantSociety.org
The native plant sale will be open to luncheon attendees Friday, October 18th at the Pearland First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, (2314 N. Grand, Pearland, TX  77581) when the Doors open at 10:30 AM.  The native and adaptive plant sale continues for the duration of the luncheon ending around 1:30PM.
The plant sale moves to the Stella Roberts Recycling Center (5800 Magnolia, Pearland, TX 77584) Saturday morning, October 19th from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
Fall Plant Sale
Fall is one of the best times to plant in Houston so get ready to garden at our Fall Plant Sale! We will be offering native flowers, shrubs, and trees – perfect for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your yard or garden. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation and education efforts. Members receive discounts on all plant sale purchases.
Plant Sale Tips:
- Park at the 610 Entrance for easy accessibility
- Arrive early – the best plants go fast
- Bring a wagon if you have one – we will have a limited number for customer use
- Become a Member – members receive discounts on all plant sale purchases
Check out Houston Arboretum & Nature Center website for more information.
Celebrate Texas Arbor Day with a tree planting demonstration and receive a complimentary tree sapling while supplies last. Visit the outdoor library corner to find books on trees and how to care for them at Mercer’s West Side Arboretum. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, FACE PAINTING, HISTORICAL TREES, CHILDREN’S CRAFTS
Join us for the Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable Field Trip on Thursday, November 14, with a presentation and short walk at Spring Creek Nature Trail. We will meet at the recreation center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands.
Following the presentation and walk, we can meet at The Craft Grill for lunch on our own.
Transportation to and from H-GAC can be provided for up to 20 registrants. We will leave H-GAC at 8:30 a.m. The field trip officially ends at noon. Anyone riding with H-GAC will return at approximately 3 p.m.
Before the tour, please download the TravelStorys app to experience some of the features of the interactive tour available along the trail.
And be sure to plan to wear closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or even muddy. Spring Creek Nature Trail is a natural trail, so prepare for outdoor conditions.
The PNA Roundtable serves as a forum for discussion of issues related to parks and natural areas, promotes the PNA Award Program, and maintains a regional inventory of parks. The PNA roundtable facilitates information exchange and planning efforts between various stakeholders and collaborators to protect and preserve parks and natural areas across the region.
The PNA Roundtable meets the second Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November and is open to anyone interested in participating.
Get more information about the Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable.Â
To join the mailing list to find out updates about meetings and activities, email Andrea Tantillo.
Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.
The annual two-day plant sale fundraiser benefits the gardens, and features nearly 1200 varieties of high-quality plants rarely found at local retail nurseries. Special shopping hours for members of the Mercer Society, too.