EarthShare Texas

Series: Easy Spring Gardening, the Basics of Native Plant Caretaking
2022-04-02 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
Time spent with your hands in the soil is time well spent, and you don’t have to be a studied horticulturist to enjoy it. Take the “work” out of yard work and unearth your inner green thumb as a pro gardener arms you with the basics of native plant caretaking. Instructor and Wildflower Center horticulturist, Leslie Uppinghouse, will get you growing in no time!
Taught as a two-part series in one and a half-hour installments, students will be able to practice techniques/complete homework assignments on their own and then bring questions back to share with the class each week.
Saturdays, March 26 & April 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
This class will take place in person at the Wildflower Center. Space is limited and registration is required.
Find out more
$30 per person for the series

Spring Native Plant Sale
2022-04-08 - 2022-04-10, 2022-04-15 - 2022-04-17
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Spring Native Plant Sale, held from March through May, feature a variety of beautiful, resilient Texas native plants. Get gardening with help from our experts and select your favorites from a variety of Texas natives, including perennial and annual flowers, grasses, wetland plants, shrubs and trees. Native plants conserve water; lower mowing costs; provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife; protect and enrich soil; and reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides. On top of all that, they’re beautiful and create a sense of place.
Fridays – Sundays
March 25 – May 8
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
* Members also get exclusive access from 9 to 10 a.m. every day of the sale. Become a member today! (https://www.wildflower.org/join)
Tickets
Plant sale tickets include admission to Wildflower Center. Tickets become available seven days before each plant sale weekend following this schedule:

April 1 – 3 on sale March 25
April 8 – 10 on sale April 1
April 15 – 17 on sale April 8
April 22 – 24on sale April 15
April 29 – May 1on sale April 22
May 6 – 8 on sale April 29

Pro Tips

Become a member to get first dibs on plants plus 10% off your purchase.
Please arrive at the Wildflower Center early enough to be through admissions and to the plant sale area by the time of your reservation. We recommend 15 minutes or longer before the time on your ticket. For your safety, capacity is limited. Punctuality will help us serve you and other shoppers better and maximize your time at the plant sale.
Bring your own cart to haul plants if possible.
Bring a refillable water bottle and wear a hat and sunscreen.
Make a shopping list using our plant list below.
Plan to make a day of it! After you purchase your plants, we can hold them while you explore and enjoy the Center, but plants must be picked up by 2 p.m.
Runners will bring your plants to our pickup area, which you can drive to when you’re ready to go. We’ll also help load your plants into your vehicle. (Bonus: That means there’s no need to fret if you can’t park right up front.)

Prices

General 4-inch pots: $3
Cacti 4-inch pots: $5
General 1-gallon pots: $9
Milkweed 1-gallon pots: $12
Most 5-gallon pots: $27

Select specialty and miscellaneous plants will be priced as marked. Members get 10% off. Credit cards only.
Plant List
We’ll release a list of available plants as the sale opens. (https://www.wildflower.org/plant-sales)

Bluebonnet Photography Workshop
2022-04-09 10:00 - 12:00
Watch your images blossom in this special outdoor floral photography workshop at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Join master photographer Tim Babiak with Precision Camera to learn how to photograph bluebonnets and other wildflowers while enjoying the natural beauty of the Wildflower Center.
This class is targeted for all levels of photographers who love the outdoors and want to improve their nature photography skills.
April 9, 10 a.m. – noon.
This class will take place in person at the Wildflower Center. Space is limited and registration is required.
Find out more
$99 per person

Drop-in & Discover Nature with iNaturalist
2022-04-09 10:00 - 12:00
Join us in the gardens on select Saturdays to play, learn and discover. Enjoy different themed family-friendly activities designed for all ages. Drop-in programs are designed for guests of all ages to learn, create and explore the gardens together.
This is a free drop-in program and will be held outdoors in the Luci and Ian Family Garden. Please come dressed for the weather and don’t forget your water bottle!
Select Saturdays, 10 a.m. – noon.
April 9 – Discover Nature with iNaturalist
Grab your smart phone and head outdoors to observe, record and share your plant and wildlife sightings here at the Wildflower Center. Join fellow nature enthusiasts as you gather data to share through iNaturalist. No experience is required. Participants will only need a smart phone with the free iNaturalist app installed. An on-site expert will guide and assist all with app installation, photo tips and more.
The drop-in program will take place in person at the Wildflower Center.
This program is free with regular garden admission (and does not require separate registration). Presently, admission is open by reservation. Reservations can be made up to seven days in advance. Admission is always free for members!
Make a Reservation
Reservations open 7 days in advance
PHOTO John W. Clark

Discovery Green's Earth Day Houston Celebration 2022
2022-04-10 12:00 - 17:00 | TX
Presented in partnership with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green’s citywide Earth Day celebration is designed to educate, inspire and encourage action. The event features displays, exhibits, and booths on topics ranging from alternative energy to recycling and composting, a foodie farmers market, live music, recycling, earth-friendly crafts, and more.
Exhibitor spaces are available starting at $150 for nonprofit organizations. Register here Early bird fees end and fees increase after March 10!
We plan to have 250+ volunteers for the event! We are looking for corporate and teams of volunteers, along with individuals, to help with the event. If you have a team of volunteers willing to commit to ~3 hours, please email earthday@cechouston.org.

Migratory Birds in the Landscape
2022-04-14 08:00 - 10:00
Join birders from Travis Audubon and horticulturists from the Wildflower Center on a morning walk. Your guides will help identify migratory birds and the native plants they rely on for food and shelter. Bring binoculars to see what feathered friends are passing through.
This class will take place in person at the Wildflower Center. Space is limited and registration is required. Face masks are optional. Please review our Safety Guidelines before your visit.
Offered on the second Thursday of each month, March – June, 8 – 10 a.m. (individual sessions, not a series)
Find out more
$15 per adult and $8 per child (non-members)
FREE for Wildflower Center members*;
FREE for Travis Audubon members*
*Advance registration is still required.

Foraging for Native Edibles
2022-04-16 09:00 - 11:00
Fruits and flowers everywhere, but not a bite to eat? This class will help you reconnect with the land by learning foraging skills and how to ID native plants that are safe for your palate, such as prickly pear and Texas persimmon. Not only will you be primed to dress your salad and fill your snack bag with local native plants, but learning to forage will make your forays into nature richer as you tune in to the land around you.
Include Eric and Stacy Coplin’s new book, Foraging Texas: Finding, Identifying and Preparing Edible Wild Foods in Texas, with your registration! As the perfect companion to this immersive class, this new book will serve as a continuous guide to identifying, preparing and appreciating the wild bounty of native plants throughout Texas.

April 16, 9 – 11 a.m.
This class will take place in person at the Wildflower Center. Space is limited and registration is required.
Find out more
$25 per person (book not included)
$55 per person with book included

Earth Day Discovery Cart in the Garden
2022-04-22 13:00 - 14:00
Spend Earth Day at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and engage with native plants and our natural world. Drop in for fun in our Family Garden with nature themes and self-guided activities. Play and learn outdoors!
Friday, April 22, 1 – 2 p.m.
Registration not required, all ages welcome
FREE with admission

Earth Month Prairie Planting
2022-04-23 09:00 - 11:00 | star
Make a hands-on difference for Galveston Bay this Earth Month! Help restore coastal prairie habitat and plant a bioswale at Galveston Bay Foundation’s headquarters in Kemah. All ages are welcome; children under 18 must have an adult guardian participate with them. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required to participate.
Click for Event Link
For more information contact Emily Ford, Volunteer Engagement Manager, eford@galvbay.org.

Birding at Devil's River Corridor - Zoom Presentation
2022-04-26 18:45 | Zoom
Presentation: Birding the Devil’s River Corridor

Speaker: Romey Swanson, Director of Conservation Strategy at Audubon Texas

In southwest Texas, far from all cities and most people, lies one of the most pristine rivers in Texas. Clear spring-fed water tumbles past rugged ridges, scenic canyons and brushy banks. It’s not easy to get here, but it’s worth the effort. Framing the luminous Devils River, lies a rich biological crossroads where the Hill Country, Chihuahuan Desert and South Texas Brush Country landscapes converge. From rolling hills of juniper to the sycamore-lined river itself, the scenery is as diverse as the birds. Rare birds recorded here in the past include breeding rufous-capped warbler, common black hawk, and many neotropical migrants.

Zoom Meeting – Send requests for a link to ptaszoom@gmail.com with your name and postal address.

Victoria Winter Hummingbirds - Zoom Presentation
2022-04-27 18:30 | Zoom
Dr. Brent Ortego, a retired biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, spent 34 years working on non-game and endangered species issues in Texas. He began banding birds under a permit held by Dr. Ross Dawkins from San Angelo in 1995. One of his projects was banding hummingbirds at his home in Victoria County from 1995 – 2010. During the first winter, he banded 14 hummingbirds, which eventually led to a peak wintering population of 160 birds. During his presentation to BAS, Dr. Ortego will discuss these amazing birds, and how that remarkable increase of Victoria winter hummingbirds occurred. Approved for AAMN AT hours.
Zoom Meeting – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83264419488?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 832 6441 9488
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Bayou Wonderland - Themed Gala
2022-04-27 18:30 - 21:30 | entrance sign with rudbeckia and coneflowers
We are excited to announce Bayou Wonderland, Bayou Preservation’s upcoming themed annual gala. The event will take place at Houston Botanic Garden on April 27th. Join us for a magical evening of celebrating our bayous in 2022.
Tickets on sale on our website. Individual tickets start at $300.

Bayou Wonderland Gala
2022-04-27 18:30 - 21:30 | entrance sign with rudbeckia and coneflowers
Don’t be late for a very important date!
We are excited to announce Bayou Wonderland, Bayou Preservation’s upcoming themed annual gala. The event will take place at Houston Botanic Garden on April 27th. Join us for a magical evening of celebrating our bayous in 2022.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit here.

Family-friendly riding on hike & bike trails
2022-05-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Roy G. Guerrero Park Plaza, Grove Blvd, Austin, TX, 78741, United States
WHAT: A morning of biking and planting, brought to you by the Parents’ Climate Community, Ecology Action, Ghisallo Cycling Initiative, and Get There ATX.

Family-friendly riding on hike & bike trails, followed by planting of native trees, grasses, and perennials in Guerrero Park with Ecology Action.

WHEN: Sunday, May 1st, 2022, 10am – 12pm

WHERE: Meet at Roy G Guerrero Park Plaza. Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741

Click Here to RSVP

RIDING LEVEL: All ages and abilities welcome! We’ll be staying within the park area and trails.

WHAT TO BRING: A bike and helmet, water bottle, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and sunscreen. If you do not have a bicycle of your own, a bicycle and helmet can be provided to you for use during the event. Please make note in the form below.

HEALTH/SAFETY: Our ride will be fully outside. Please bring masks if you’d like to wear one during the event. If you do not feel well leading up to the event, it’s best to sit this one out!

CONTACT: briana.cohen@ghisallo.org with any questions.

Walk and Talk on the Violet Crown Trail
2022-05-13 07:50 - 09:15 | Violet Crown Trail, Dick Nichols Park, Austin, TX, 78749, United States
Hill Country Conservancy invites you to join us for an informative stroll along the Violet Crown Trail! On this exclusive tour of the trail, we reveal behind-the-scenes stories and share insights that you won’t find elsewhere. This is your opportunity to learn and to ask questions about anything regarding the trail, Hill Country Conservancy, or the Hill Country in general.

Please RSVP using the “register” button. You will receive a confirmation email upon submission and an informational email the week of the hike.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
BYOWB (Bring Your Own Water Bottle)
This is a family-friendly event.
Dogs are welcome on this section of the trail but must remain on a leash.
Anticipated time on the trail is 1-1.5 hours.

For more information, please contact info@hillcountryconservancy.org

Saturday Morning Bird Walk at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Sanctuary
2022-05-14 08:00 - 09:30 | Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX, 75069, United States
Second Saturday Bird Walks in the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary are offered by Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society (PTAS) members. These bird walks are intended to help beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. There are also plenty of opportunities provided for participants to ask questions from experienced birders. Prairie, woodland, and wetland habitats are included in these walks.

Just show up. Send questions to aftpresident@gmail.com

Bay Day Festival
2022-05-14 11:00 - 16:00 | Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX, 77565, United States
Galveston Bay Foundation is thrilled to host our annual Bay Day Festival in-person once again at the Kemah Boardwalk! Bay Day is a one-day celebration of all things Galveston Bay, complete with live animal exhibits, stage performances, crafts and more. Admission to the Bay Day Festival is FREE! Bring your family to this fun and educational event.

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Reynolds Elementary)
2022-05-17 08:45 - 09:30 | Reynolds Elementary, 9601 Rosehaven, Houston, TX, 77051, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org

Tuesday, May 17
8:45 AM
Reynolds Elementary
Houston ISD
9601 Rosehaven, 77051

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Jane Long Academy)
2022-05-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Jane Long Academy, 6501 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX, 77074, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org

Friday, May 20
9:00 AM
Jane Long Academy
Houston ISD
6501 Bellaire Blvd., 77074

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Bellfort Early Childhood Center)
2022-05-19 09:30 - 10:30 | Bellfort Early Childhood Center, 7647 Bekkfort, Houston, TX, 77061, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org

Thursday, May 19
9:30 AM
Bellfort Early Childhood Center
Houston ISD
7647 Bellfort, 77061

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Kashmere Gardens Elementary)
2022-05-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Kashmere Gardens Elementary, 4901 Lockwood Dr., Houston, TX, 77026, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org
Thursday, May 19
1:00 PM
Kashmere Gardens Elementary
Houston ISD
4901 Lockwood Dr., 77026

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Alexander Elementary)
2022-05-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Alexander Elementary, 8500 Brookwulf Dr., Houston, TX, 77072, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org

Friday, May 20
2:00 PM
Alexander Elementary
Alief ISD
8500 Brookwulf Dr., 77072

Invasive Plant Removal on Spring Lake
2022-05-21 08:00 - 12:00 | icon-flower
Paddle the pristine waters of Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River and help remove invasive plant species. Volunteers can paddle or work on shore. Registration required.

EPIC Stretch & Sip: Yoga on the Ranch
2022-05-22 10:00 - 12:30 | Brocken Brough Ranch, Jones Rd. & Hogeye Rd., Manor, TX, 78653-5205, United States
Breathe in and stretch out with EPIC with a morning yoga session on the hillside of Brockenbrough Ranch. The Brockenbrough Ranch is a beautiful private property in Manor, Texas, protected under a conservation easement held by Hill Country Conservancy.
You’ll experience a one-hour guided yoga class with a qualified instructor followed by light snacks and mimosas on the hillside, all while enjoying a breathtaking view.
Pack up your yoga mat and click the “Register” button to join us.

About EPIC: Emerging Professionals In Conservation, a program of Hill Country Conservancy, is an outdoors club dedicated to exploring and preserving the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Membership dues go to support Hill Country Conservancy’s projects in and around Austin and the Hill Country, including the Violet Crown Trail.
Not yet a member? Learn more and join today.

Citizen Science Water Quality Training
2022-05-22 10:00 - 14:00 | icon-flower
Become a state-certified water quality monitor and begin monitoring and collecting data on local creeks, lakes, and rivers in your watershed. Learn how to test for basic water parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and field observations. Data collected from monitoring is used to support research and inform policy. Monthly trainings.

Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society Meeting with Presentation
2022-05-24 18:45 - 20:00 | Zoom
Presentation: Costa Rica: Volcano Birds, the Highlands, and More!

Speaker: Dr. Doug Wood, Professor of Biological Sciences – Zoology, Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Description: This presentation will cover Doug’s birding trip to Costa Rica in March 2022. After a brief visit to Costa Rica in 1997, Doug wanted to bird Costa Rica, especially the highlands with its unique avifauna and landscape. He will observe birds from volcanos to marshes and everywhere in between.

Send email with postal address to ptaszoom@gmail.com

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Jensen Elementary)
2022-05-26 09:00 - 10:00 | Jensen Elementary, 3514 Tulip St., Pasadena, TX, 77504, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org

Thursday, May 26
9:00 AM
Jensen Elementary
Pasadena ISD
3514 Tulip St., Pasadena, 77504

SPARK Parks are Blooming! (Wharton K-8 Dual Language)
2022-05-27 09:00 - 10:00 | Wharton K-8 Dual Language, 900 West Gray St., Houston, TX, 77019, United States
Join us for our celebration of new and improved SPARK Parks!
For more information, call (832) 393-0911 or email kathleen@sparkpark.org
Friday, May 27
9:00 AM
Wharton K-8 Dual Language
Houston ISD
900 West Gray St. 77019

4th Annual National Trails Day Fun Run on the VCT
2022-06-04 08:00 - 12:00 | The Violet Crown Trail Dick Nichols Park, 8011 Beckett, Austin, TX, 78749, United States
Join Hill Country Conservancy for our fourth annual fun run on National Trails Day! National Trails Day is a nationwide event held to encourage people to discover their local trails and celebrate spending time outdoors, and what better way to celebrate than enjoying the Violet Crown Trail.
You can choose between a 5k or 1mi route. Both routes begin at Dick Nichols Park in South Austin. The 5k route follows the Violet Crown Trail to the Dick Nichols Trailhead at Latta Drive and the Deer Park Trailhead at Davis Lane. The route highlights the interconnectivity of the trail between neighborhoods, peaceful wooded areas, convenient urban amenities, and neighborhood parks.
After the run, stick around and celebrate with us at the finish line party! We’ll have tacos and coffee and live music by Will Dupuy.
Your registration fee directly supports Hill Country Conservancy and the Violet Crown Trail you love.
Plus, you’ll receive:

A quality Dri-fit Fun Run shirt provided by Georgetown Shirt Co.
A link to the route on Strava
A fun run bib & some fun goodies
A chance to win some great outdoor gear from REI!

Snap a picture of you at the finish line and tag Hill Country Conservancy for a chance to win the REI gear! Be sure to use the hashtag #NTDontheVCT!
We’ll see you on the trail!
