Read all about the next programs of the school year on the Progams page.
Brown County Area Master Gardeners Enjoy Windy Day at the Nature Center
About twenty-five Master Gardeners from the Brownwood, TX, area, led by Vicky Sutherland (Pres. & on the far right below), were treated to a tour of the Nature Center led by none others than Bill Lindemann and Jane Crone.
The tall vegetation provided a welcome shield from the north wind that swept in from the airport. Despite our dry summer, all the trails provided their usual colorful display of blooms. The group identified about thirty-five blooming forbs, not the least of which were knock-your-sox-off cardinal flowers and ten-foot high Maximillian funflowers [sic]. Even the pearl milkweed vines were sporting some awesome second-bloom jewels in their flowers.
Left - Bill narrates the story of the war between the trees and grasses. At least one 3rd-Grade day volunteer who'd manned that stop paid very close attention to the master.
If you haven't been to the Nature Center to see the fall display, you really owe it to yourself to do so. You won't be disappointed!
Fall Workdays off to a Great Start
First Trail Crew of the fall 2011 season gets a forbs lesson from "Trail Boss Bill" - September 27, 2011 (Front to back: Tom Hynes, Steve Dodge, Annie Rendon, William Lange, Bill Lindemann. Not pictured - Gracie Waggener and Marshall, John Crone, and John Huecksteadt)
(Right) John Crone provides some long-overdue loving care to the native cactus garden.
The fall season of work at the park got off to a quick start on September 27 as a group of eight volunteers (plus Gracie Waggener's hard-working Golden Retriever, Marshall) showed up for a morning of trail work. Bill Lindemann treated the group to a walk along the big Live Oak Trail looking for forbs and fall migrant birds. The group identified thirty-four flowering forbs. 'Not bad for being in the mid del of an exceptional drought. The group was thrilled, among others, by a Cooper's Hawk that soared not very far overhead, conveniently demonstrating for the admirers below its round tail corners.
With the cooler weather Tuesday morning work sessions will be come more frequent. Watch for e-mails from Bill. If you want to get on the list to be notified of workdays, e-mail Bill or the FFNC.
Kerrville NPSOT Chapter to Hold Meetings on Second Tuesdays
The Kerrville NPSOT chapter will begin holding their monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of the month, beginning on September 13th. This is the same night that FFNC holds its programs during the school year. Kerville NPSOT meetings start at 5pm CT, while FFNC programs begin at 7pm CT. For more information see the following letter from Kerrville.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Names Fredericksburg Nature Center as Affiliate
The Fredericksburg Nature Center is honored to have been named an affiliate organization to the the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.
The Wildflower Center encourages the preservation and use of native plants in all regions of the country through a network of cooperating affiliates. The Fredericksburg Nature Center supports and encourages this preservation and use of native plants by introducing and exposing the public to native plants through a system of trails that is home to nearly 300 species of wildflowers. Many native tress, shrubs, vines, and grasses also make the Nature Center their home. It also provides a free public program series that provides education about native plants and related natural resources.
Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website to learn more about it and its affiliated organizations.
