San Antonio Native Plant Events

The focus of this month's event is Ethnobotany. Our presenter, Josie Gonzales, is a Certified Interpretive Guide and Texas Master Naturalist. She’ll discuss Ethnobotany — how people of a particular culture and region make use of native plants. Plants sustain people not only as food and as medicine, but provide materials, dyes, tannins, wax, latex, soap, resin and oil.

There will be a brief overview of ethnobotanical concepts prior to the walk. On the walk itself a wide variety of forbs, shrubs, and trees will be discussed from the standpoint of medicinal, utilitarian, and nutritional uses. Participants will have a chance to look at and ask questions about these plants.

Please arrive BEFORE 8;00 am to sign up for an 8:00 am start.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. This presentation is only appropriate for dogs who are leashed and socialized. DIFFICULTY: Easy--it is definitely suitable for families, with flat terrain, and a slow pace. This will be a mile walk, and the event will last about two hours, ending back at the Urban Ecology Center around 10:00 am.

The trail is a natural surface so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and, dependent on the weather, bring water, sun protection, and dress appropriate for the day and season. $3 individual or $5 family donations to the PHP Conservancy are suggested to support the activities in the park.

This event's sponsors are the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department's Natural Areas Office, the Alamo Area Master Naturalists, the Native Plant Society of Texas-San Antonio chapter, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.

Contact Stan Drezek (stanwendre@gmail.com) for additional information or questions.

WARNING: Be sure to wear long pants. Bring water and a hat as well as use a heavy amount of repellent and sunscreen. We may be walking in the sun, on grassy areas prone to chiggers!

The purposes of our event include appreciating the beauty of our natural area, observing how nature changes through the seasons, and learning about our native and invasive grasses.

Our presenter is Cleve Powell, NPSOT-SA member, a self-described plant nerd heavy into collecting, identifying, and propagating natives. With an MS from TCU in Environmental Science, his expertise in grass identification is only exceeded by his willingness to share knowledge. This will give you a chance to see more grass and more fully-developed grasses, especially grass inflorescences, than is possible earlier in the year as well as see the progress expanding our savanna area.

Please arrive by 7:45 am to sign up for an 8:00 am start. The event begins with a talk in the small classroom covering What is a grass, grass and spikelet structure, and grass terminology. There will be pictures of the common grasses seen on the savanna, with close ups of the structural characteristics that help ID the grasses. After the talk we will walk in the savanna restoration area and some grassy areas of adjoining trails. There will be brief explanations of grass species encountered along the way with ample time for participant questions.

Minors only when accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Dogs not allowed as the talk is in the small classroom. DIFFICULTY: Easy, definitely suitable for families. Flat terrain, slow-paced. This will only be about a one mile walk and with the talk last about two and a half hours ending back at the Urban Ecology Center around 10:30 am

The trail is a natural surface so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and, dependent on the weather, bring water, sun protection, and dress appropriate for the day and season. Suggested $3 individual or $5 family donations to the PHP Conservancy to support enhancements to the park.

This event's general sponsors are the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department's Natural Areas Office, the Alamo Area Master Naturalists, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club. The SA chapter of The Native Plant Society of Texas is a special sponsor.

Contact Stan Drezek (stanwendre@gmail.com) for additional information or questions.

SPECIAL NOTE: Our presenter has so much to share we are "allowing" 2.5 hours for the full walk, but participants are free to leave earlier.

The event's purpose is to learn about the many special understory and canopy trees in our area. This walk will be led by Michael Nentwich, president and founder of Bexar Branches Alliance. Michael has nearly 20 years of experience in community forestry management and program development. He was San Antonio’s first City Forester and later served as City Forester and Bureau Manager of Parks and Urban Forestry with the City of Norfolk.

He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science and a Master's Degree in Forestry from Stephen F. Austin University. He has extensive knowledge and a deep and abiding interest in trees as well as being a great communicator. You will be introduced to the common tree species found in the park, and probably will get to see and learn about Eve's Necklace, Texas Kidneywood, and Little-leaf Mulbery among many other fascinating species.

Please arrive about 7:45 am SHARP so we can register everyone and be ready for an 8:00 am start. You will walk an about 1.5 mile route starting and ending at the Urban Ecology Center. There will be brief explanations at the start and along the way with ample time for participant questions.

Minors only when accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Dogs allowed if leashed and socialized. DIFFICULTY: Easy, definitely suitable for families. Flat terrain, slow-paced.

The trail is a natural surface so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and, dependent on the weather, bring water, sun protection, and dress appropriately for the day and season. Suggested $3 individual or $5 family donations to the PHP Conservancy to support enhancements to the park.

This event's general sponsors are the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department's Natural Areas Office, the Alamo Area Master Naturalists, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club. The SA Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas is a special sponsor.

Contact Stan Drezek (stanwendre@gmail.com) for additional information.or questions.