Milam Wildscape

About the Wildscape Project of El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist

The Milam Wildscape is located on the Bird and Bee Farm, 1369 County Road 334, between Rockdale and Milano TX, where it is seen by many who come to buy chickens and honey, as well as by people who participate in special projects. The site is open during daylight hours. Check our Facebook page for announcements of special events and educational programs.

NEW! Milam County Wildflower Brochure – download, print, and save!

Our Story

In 2019, Donna Lewis and Catherine Johnson coordinated a Master Naturalist bee program and invited Gene Rek to be a speaker. Catherine went to meet him at Bird and Bee farm, and he offered land to the group to build a wildscape. Catherine accepted, got the project approved by the El Camino Real Chapter, and Gene started work.

Gene Rek, Cindy Rek, and Catherine Johnson designed the garden based on the Antique Rose Emporium and Donna Lewis’s garden.

Donna Lewis spent a year inviting members to the Wildscape and introducing them to volunteer opportunities, which has resulted in hundreds of volunteer hours creating and maintaining this beautiful oasis in central Texas. It’s an enchanting spot for young and old, where you’ll spot animals wandering through the plantings, and hidden gems that inspire visitors to sit a while and watch all the action.

Wildscape Happenings

The history of the Wildscape has been recorded in our chapter blog blog. Enjoy browsing through the updates and events throughout the project’s history.

September in the Wildscape

by Catherine Johnson The first windy cooler day found a friend of the Wildscape weeding, watering and collecting seeds for the Sow and Grow seed library. Before and after pictures show a re-landscaped bed in progress with flame acanthus and fall asters. We have many new native bushes and trees to plant. One of the giant coneflowers is reblooming. We are looking forward to some fun events in the garden.

September 11, 2026September 13, 2026

Some Like It Hot

by Catherine Johnson A breezy afternoon was enjoyed at the Wildscape in the shade, making sure the garden will survive until cool weather. All focus is keeping treasured natives alive. No worries about weeds only about finding yellow jackets and killing with non-toxic liquid.

August 25, 2026

Hidden Jewels

by Catherine Johnson When you get overwhelmed at the heat and weeds, look around and you will find little jewels all over our Wildscape. Birds, nests, pollinators, blooms, frogs and a rabbit. It is worth the visit to smell the chocolate daisies.

August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

If you want to visit the wildscape…

By Catherine Johnson If you want to visit the wildscape, if you do not go before 6am or after 6pm, be prepared to faint at the Wildscape. We made a quick trip there recently to help Terri B dig up natives to be transplanted at Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary. Gary Johnson volunteered help. The hard-to-find chocolate daisies are blooming and smell – like chocolate.

July 28, 2026

Wildscape Summer

by Catherine Johnson The heat and weeds are a challenge at the Wildscape now. Patricia and Rosie accomplished some chores as have the Reks. When it is cool, more natives will be planted and next year will see a lot of blooms. Birds are enjoying the Wildscape and have been raising their young in mailboxes, bee hotels and native trees. Kim and I recently spent a windy afternoon moving sprinklers and relaxing…

July 1, 2026July 2, 2026

Nature Finds a Way at the Milam Wildscape

by Catherine Johnson From April 25, 2026 Wildflowers that were removed to make way for paths have returned and native trees are thriving after the rains. Work on the H-E-B grant is nearing the end and we are looking forward to Blooms and Pollinators. The Pollinators for Texas project is a collaborative effort with H-E-B and the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program focused on enhancing native pollinator conservation across the state…

May 21, 2026

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Donations Welcome

Our Wildscape appreciates donations of native plants, decorative items for our hardscape, and of course, time and effort. It takes a lot of work to get the wildscape looking just wild enough. Contact Catherine Johnson to see how you can help out.