I’ll try post about this again at the appropriate time, but I wanted to announce that the third week of October is now being recognized as Texas Native Plant Week. Here is the information passed on to me from Keep Austin Wild; more details can be found on the City of Austin site at the link below. There will even be designated Plants of the Day throughout the week, with certified habitats hosting activities.
Texas Native Plant Week October 19th-23rd
In June 2009 Governor PerrOn June 16, 2009 Governor Perry signed a bill into law that will recognize the third week in October as Texas Native Plant Week. The bill is intended to emphasize the role of native plants in conservation efforts and to be used as incentive for the Texas education system to teach school children about the importance of native plants. The Native Plant Society of Texas teamed with State Representative Donna Howard to present the bill to the State Congress. The bill passed unanimously in both houses.
To mark this inaugural Texas Native Plant Week the City of Austin, in partnership with State Representative Donna Howard’s Office, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the Native Plant Society of Texas, will host activities and educational opportunities for the public to learn more about our amazing Texas native plants.
Thursday, October 15th, 5:30pm
Event: City Council Proclamation to announce Texas Native Plant Awareness Week. Mayor Lee Leffingwell will present Native Plant Society of Texas with proclamation.
Location: Austin City Hall Council Chambers, 301 W. Second Street Austin, TX 78701
Monday, October 19, 10:00am:
Event: Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) demonstration habitat garden certification ceremony and media kick off for Texas Native Plant Week. Habitat Garden Tour to follow press conference.
The Parks and Recreation Department’s main office demonstration habitat garden will be recognized by the National Wildlife Federation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Best of Texas Habitat site. This is the highest level of wildlife habitat certification in Texas and is bestowed upon landscapes that use a majority of native plants, provide wildlife food and water sources year round, and practice at least six resource conservation measures. PARD’s main office habitat is the first City of Austin habitat site to receive this more stringent level of certification.
This demonstration habitat garden serves as a place people can come to learn about what wildlife habitat is and how to create a place for butterflies, songbirds, and hummingbirds at their own homes using beautiful native plants. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, State Representative Donna Howard, Parks and Recreation Department Director Sara Hensley, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Executive Director Susan Rieff and others will participate in the habitat certification ceremony and native plant week kick off celebration.
Location: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Main Office, 200 S. Lamar Blvd, 78704.
For more information visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/nativeplantweek.htm or call the Parks and Recreation Department’s Wildlife Austin Program at 512-327-8181×29.
Please help us spread the word about Texas’ first Native Plant Week!
If you live in Austin, consider attending one or both events, and if you live in Texas, support our beautiful state by planting native plants!
Thanks for posting this Meredith