Earth Day Wildflower Walk and Picnic at Commons Ford

Come celebrate Earth Day, with a wildflower hike at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park! Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is a significant cultural landscape in one of the most natural park settings in Austin! The restoration efforts that have occurred on site are a joint collaboration between St Edward's University and the Travis Audubon Society and are very inspirational and a sight to see this time of year!

This will be a 2 mile loop hike on fairly level terrain leaving promptly at 9:30 am. There will be many stops to look at and discuss plants. Families are welcome, and it is dog-friendly, just please keep them leashed and clean up after them. On this hike, you'll learn about the common and less common wildflowers of central Texas and their ecological role. My goal is that everyone walks away learning at least one new plant. I will also discuss how the 40-acre native prairie has been restored and maintained for grassland birds. Any pollinators, herps, and birds that come into view might be pointed out, so feel free to bring binoculars.

It's being led by me, Andrew Harrod, vice president on the board of Save Barton Creek Association. I am a wildlife major and fell hard for native plants over the pandemic. I am a Capital Area Master Naturalist, if you are curious about the program, I will speak briefly on it and can answer any questions you might have.

At 11:30 am we'll meet back by where we parked and those interested in staying for a picnic can grab their food from their cars and we will relax and eat. Afterwards, I will bring a frisbee and a bocce ball set and plan to hang out until at least 2 pm. **Bring a chair if you have one!

Meet at the big barn that is at the end of the road leading into the park, before the road sharply turns left (NOT the tiny wooden house on the right when you first enter the park). Hope to see you there!