Go Native: Natives for Your Landscape

The purpose of this walk is to point out along the trails and in the Demonstration Garden native plants that you can incorporate into your own home landscape.

This event is presented by the Native Plant Society of Texas - San Antonio (NPSOT-SA) chapter. It will be led by Joan Miller, a former president of NPSOT-SA and Drake White of The Nectar Bar, both active plant propagators, identifiers of native plants, and teachers/event leaders of all things related to native plants.

Joan and Drake also discuss where in your landscape to use the plant, its water requirements, and tips for caring for the plant, especially when and how much to cut back. They also point out how the plants function in the ecosystem especially which butterflies utilize the plants.

Please arrive about 7:45 am to sign up for a 8:00 am departure. We will walk around the UEC, along several paths from the UEC, and finish in the Demonstration Garden. There will be brief explanations of natives seen along the away that are candidates for the home landscape.

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. This will be a less than 1.0-mile walk and 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. Suggested $3 individual or $5 family donations to the PHP Conservancy to support enhancements to the park.

This event's co-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 lead sponsor is the NPSOT-SA chapter.

Contact Texas Master Naturalist Jean Hackett (jhackett@me.com) for additional information or questions.