San Antonio Native Plant Events

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.

The focus of this month's event is wildlife. Our presenter, Christine Westerman, is the lead project manager in the local office of a national environmental consulting firm. She was involved in the studies leading to the park's Master Plan. Christine will highlight the common park wildlife, show wildlife photos mostly taken at night and often on the Land Bridge. She will also have the park's collection of pelts and skulls of most park wildlife to pass around . After her talk in the small classroom we head out on nearby trails for a nature walk looking for "signs" of wildlife.

Please arrive by 8:50 am SHARP at the small classroom of the UEC to sign up for an 9:00 am start. First, enjoy the heavily illustrated introductory talk focusing on the park's wildlife, supplemented by the parks collection of pelts and skulls, and then find signs of wildlife along the nearby trails. Participants will be encouraged to observe nature and ask about what they see.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. This presentation is not appropriate for dogs. DIFFICULTY: Easy--it is definitely suitable for families, with flat terrain, and a slow pace. This will be about a mile walk, and the event will last about two hours, ending back at the Urban Ecology Center around 11:00 am.

The trail is a natural surface so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and, dependent on the weather, bring water, insect repellent, 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, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.

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