The Great Plant Switch! From Invasive to Inviting

The last week of February is designated as National Invasive Species Awareness Week. What are some common invasive plant species in the Texas Gulf Coast region? How do these species affect the local environment? Spend the morning visiting with and learning from local plant experts to understand more about the effects of invasive plant species in our public lands and our own backyards. Learn which Texas native plants can be selected to replace invasive species in your garden. The morning includes presentations, educational booths, a make-your-own seed ball station, a Texas native tree giveaway, and breakfast refreshments. Research Scientist Dr. Erin Kinney with Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is excited to share information on HARC’s invasive species guide and website at 9:30 a.m. Kinney will explain how to navigate galvbayinvasives.org and how to use the online tools to familiarize yourself with local invasive species and their impact on our ecosystems. At 11 a.m., Native Prairies Association of Texas director of education Della Barbato presents Nine Natives–nine plants native to the Greater Houston area that are not only beautiful and easy-to-grow but provide benefits for local pollinators and other wildlife. Educational booth hosts include Mercer Botanical Center, Harris County Master Gardeners–a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Native Plant Society of Texas, and HARC. The Texas native tree giveaway is coordinated through the Harris County Precinct 4 Legacy Trees Project.

Meet at Mercer’s East Side Gardens. This is an outdoor event–dress for the weather. For more information, call 713-274-4160.

Celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week by learning about common invasive plant species in the Texas Gulf Coast region and how they affect the local environment. Spend the morning visiting with and learning from local plant experts to understand more about the effects of invasive plant species in our public lands and our own backyards. Learn which Texas native plants can be selected to replace invasive species in your garden.

The morning includes presentations, educational booths, a make-your-own seed ball station, a Texas native tree giveaway hosted by Precinct 4’s Legacy Trees Project, and breakfast refreshments.

Research scientist Erin Kinney with Houston Advanced Research Center will share information on HARC’s invasive species guide and website at 9:30 a.m. Kinney will explain how to navigate galvbayinvasives.org and how to use the online tools to become familiar with local invasive species and their impact on the ecosystems.

Della Barbato, the director of education at the Native Prairies Association of Texas, will present “Nine Natives” at 11 a.m. The discussion will cover nine native plants that are not only beautiful and easy to grow but beneficial for pollinators and wildlife.

Visitors can also explore educational booths provided by the Mercer Botanical Center, Harris County Master Gardeners – a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Native Plant Society of Texas, HARC, Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

This is a free event offered at Mercer’s East Side Gardens. No registration required. This is an outdoor event–dress for the weather. For more information, call 713-274-4160.

Invasive Plant? Just Pull It!

The last week of February is designated as National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Invasive, non-native plant species pose a threat to our local ecosystem as they compete with our native plants for precious resources. Make a positive impact by participating in invasive plant species removal events at Mercer’s West Side Arboretum! Tools and gardening gloves are provided. Participants should dress for the weather and bring a refillable water bottle and gardening gloves. Meet at the Post Oak Pavilion located in the West Side Arboretum. For more information, call 713-274-4160.