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Native Plant Society of Texas

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Lake Mineral Wells State Park Pollinator Garden Work Day, Volunteer Opportunity, Cross Timbers Chapter, Mineral Wells, Saturday, 5/18/2024 at 9 a.m.

May 18 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

🌿 Calling All Native Plant Enthusiasts! 🌿  Be a Pollinator Protector! 🐝🌸

Join us for a morning of volunteer magic at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. 🌼✨

You can help maintain the pollinator garden at Lake Mineral Wells State Park! 🌼🦋 This wonderful community effort supports our local ecosystems and provides habitat to facilitate the important work of pollinators. It gives volunteers the opportunity to work side-by-side with experienced gardeners and learn about natives and their care and maintenance. This garden provides educational information to visitors and is utilized by the park staff to explain the importance of native plants and their benefits.

Here are some suggestions on clothing and what to bring:

  1. Work Clothing: Wear comfortable work clothing appropriate for the weather. Layers are great for adjusting to changing conditions.
  2. Gloves: If you have gardening gloves, bring them along. They’ll protect your hands while working with plants and soil.
  3. Gardening Tools: If you own any gardening tools, such as nippers, shovels, spades, pitchforks, or wheelbarrows, feel free to bring them. Buckets and brooms are also useful. These tools can be incredibly helpful for various tasks.
  4. Water: Stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle to keep yourself refreshed during the work.
  5. Hat:  A hat with a wide brim provides shade for your face, neck, and ears, protecting you from direct sunlight. It helps prevent sunburn and reduces the risk of skin damage caused by UV radiation.  In case of cooler weather, wear a hat to keep warm.

Additional Details:

  • If the temperature is below 40°F or if it’s raining, the workday will be canceled. 
  • For any specific questions or further information, you can reach out to Cindy Crump at cindyleecrump@gmail.com.
  • For these months, here are some details of plans
    • May: Weed removal and admiring the blooms that will cover the garden this month!

Location:

  • Lake Mineral Wells State Park, 100 Park Road 71, Mineral Wells, Texas.
  • Before entering the park gates, take a left into the administration building parking lot.

Meeting Point:

  • Meet at the garden located near the administration building entrance (before paying at the gate).

Let’s come together and contribute to the beauty and health of our local environment! 🌿🌸

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason