San Antonio Native Plant Events

This event will concentrate on identifying the plants that are found in the granite soils of Enchanted Rock SNA to increase the biodiversity reported for the San Antonio Metro Area of the CNC. Animals will also be recorded. Teams will be formed to walk the different trails. Experienced iNat observers will be valuable but less knowledgeable participants can help find plants. Later start times can be coordinated. The meeting site for 8:30 AM arrival will be the parking lot at the check in center

There will be the option to bring a lunch and make observations in the afternoon. Appropriate foot wear, sun protection and adequate water is necessary.

Contact Jerry Morrisey at 210-382-2614 for details and to coordinate later arrival times.

This is a two-part event:

Part 1: Families with upper elementary age children and adults should arrive by 7:50 am to register for an 8 am sharp Entomology Talk covering types of insect, morphology, and the critical role of insects as pollinators. Then join families with younger children on the savanna for an hour of insect catch, ID, and release. We will provide nets.

Part 2: Families with younger children should arrive and sign-in by 8:50 to join the earlier group as it moves from the classroom to the savanna.

Special Note: Definitely wear long pants and bring insect repellant and, sunscreen. We will be walking on sunny grassy areas.

Our objective is to learn about insects, identify some of the more common species found in our local area, and learn the role of insects in the environment. The event will be led by Nicolas Phillips an expert student of Entomology, an award-winning insect collector, and an Integrated Pest Control professional. Nicolas has been an enthusiast and lover of insects since early childhood and brings his passion and knowledge to our park.

The morning begins in the small classroom with an hour overview of all you ever wanted to know about these arthropods. We will then move to the nearby savanna where families with younger children will join us to catch, ID, and release insects. Nicolas will identify and elaborate upon our captured specimens to explain general concepts. The netted insects are then released back into nature. The park is a great place to find a variety of interesting insects.

Please arrive on the patio at 7:50 am SHARP (or by 8:50 am SHARP for families with young children). Minors must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Dogs are not appropriate for this event. DIFFICULTY: Easy, geared to families with children, as well as interested adults. This will not be a hike and should end around 10:00 am.

Donations of $3 individual or $5 family to the PHP Conservancy are suggested, to support park educational activities. Parents interested in learning more nature for their children can go to https://txmn.org/alamo/area-resources/natural-areas-and-linear-creekways-guide/family-nature-guides/

This event's general sponsors are the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department's Natural Area Office, Alamo Area Master Naturalists, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.

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

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.

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.