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Fredericksburg Chapter

Crossroads of the Eclipses: How Plants and Dark Skies are Connected in the Texas Hill Country

Tuesday, June 27 Native Plant Society of Texas, Fredericksburg Chapter Meeting

 


The annular solar eclipse of 2023 and the total solar eclipse of 2024 will place the Texas Hill Country at the crossroads of two remarkable celestial phenomena. Central Texas will become the epicenter of great activity and tourism during these events, hosting visitors from across the state, around the nation, and worldwide. The total solar eclipse’s path of totality passes through 83 Texas counties and 15 U.S. states. However, it is among the pristine streams, migrating birds, vibrant bluebonnets, and rolling terrain of the Hill Country where optimum viewing is forecast.

How dark skies and plants are connected is a topic addressed by Dawn Davies with Hill Country Alliance at the Fredericksburg chapter meeting on Tuesday, June 27. As Night Sky Program Manager, Dawn works with volunteers and local leaders across the region to promote night sky preservation and eliminate light pollution and its detrimental environmental effects. She also heads up the Hill Country Eclipse Team, an assembly of community and county-based task forces working together to prepare for the upcoming 2023 and 2024 solar eclipse events.

“We are excited to have Ms. Davies join us for our June meeting to share her insights on dark skies, the upcoming eclipses, and how plants might be affected,” said Deborah Simmons, President, Fredericksburg Chapter of NPSOT. “We hope the public will come join us to learn more and bring their questions.”

The chapter holds its monthly meetings on the 4th Tuesday of the month at St. Joseph’s Halle (212 W. San Antonio St., Fredericksburg). There is a social time at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m.

 

Hill Country Alliance, a non-profit organization, is focused on raising public awareness and building community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country.

 – Holly Simonette

Dawn Davies, June 27, 2023 Speaker for Fredericksburg chapter meeting
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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