Ethnobotany (Bring extra water due to heat)

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 in the context of actual plants in the park. Ethnobotany is 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 very 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 about 7:50 am to register so we can start right at 8:00 am.

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 only be about 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.