For Immediate Release
June 20, 2012
Point of Contact: Anna Strong, Chairperson – Texas Native Plant Week, 314-517-2334
Native Plant Society Announces Texas Native Plant Week October 14 to 20, 2012
Although Texans hope the drought of 2011 is behind us, one lasting result of that brutal experience occurs every time we turn on the tap. We wonder, how can we reduce water consumption and still enjoy the blessings of our rich Texas plant life? There is, happily, a solution — and that is native plants!
Using Texas natives, in fact, has advantages far beyond that of reduced water consumption. Habitat is provided for birds, nectar is available for butterflies, chemicals are curbed for lawn care and simply, Texas feels more like Texas.
The Native Plant Society of Texas is partnering with other organizations to plan a week in October aimed at a public scorched by drought and ready for alternative landscaping practices. October 14-20, 2012, has been designated Texas Native Plant Week. Designed to appeal to the general public as well as to gardeners, plant enthusiasts and horticulturalists, activities will celebrate the rewards of planting with natives.
Communities throughout Texas will offer wildflower walks, tours of local native plant gardens, talks by experts about native plants, and chapter meetings of the Native Plant Society of Texas. As planning progresses for the week, information will be found at the Texas Native Plant Week website (http://txnativeplantweek.org). Watch the site for more information. Meanwhile, useful information related to the use of natives plants is already available on the website.
The Native Plant Society of Texas has teamed with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the National Wildlife Federation to make the October celebration a worthy week for the public.
