Transform your yard into a vibrant haven for wildlife, starting with small, manageable changes. By meeting basic needs, adding native plants, and adopting eco-friendly practices, you can create an inviting sanctuary for butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. Embrace this rewarding journey towards a flourishing, wildlife-friendly outdoor space!
Let’s plant native! The Texas coneflower blooms twice a year and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It grows up to five feet, attracting pollinators and providing seeds for birds. Easy to grow, the plant requires consistent watering during establishment but matures to be drought tolerant. Read on to learn how you can incorporate this perennial native into your home landscape!
Composting enriches soil, reduces landfill waste, and stores carbon, benefiting every household. Achieve success with a balanced mix of brown and green materials, maintain moisture, and address common problems, such as heating your pile, to create nutrient-rich compost—your garden’s “black gold.” Join our upcoming class for hands-on experience!
Each year, we celebrate individuals dedicated to improving our community. This year’s honor goes to Dawn Brubaker, the 2024 Environmental Services Volunteer of the Year. Dawn passionately promotes biodiversity and sustainable agriculture through her extensive volunteering, positively impacting the environment and community, and inspiring others to engage in volunteerism for a greener future.
As the holidays nears, many seek the perfect tree for their homes. The Witch Hazel tree, often overlooked, offers winter blooms with its unique yellow-orange flowers. This deciduous shrub thrives in woodland areas and brings color during colder months. Incorporating Witch Hazel into holiday decor can enhance festive arrangements, adding creative flair to centerpieces and outdoor spaces.
Learn about our beloved native plants! Shrubby boneset, or white mistflower, blooms in late fall, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Native to Texas, this perennial thrives in various soils and light conditions, reaching heights of four to six feet. It’s low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent addition to gardens for visual interest and wildlife.
The vibrant season of summer brings forth a symphony of changes in nature, offering a fascinating lens through phenology to appreciate the rhythms of plant and animal life. From plant growth to butterfly transformations, observing these seasonal changes deepens our connection to the natural world and reinforces our role as stewards of Earth’s biodiversity.
