Tag: H-E-B Pollinators across Texas

Pollinators for Texas Progress

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Chapter members’ work is paying off with blooms in the new barrels with signage.

The budget approved by H-E-B included funds for last minute strenuous labor which Mitchell Henderson has been doing. He has been  shoveling gravel and landscaping the upper pathway for easy access and greatly reduced weeding.

New construction will enable people to get close to Pollinators and native plants they are connected to.

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 by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.

Progress on Updated Wildscape

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Progress continues on the Pollinators for Texas in the Milam Wildscape. More crushed granite will arrive soon to finish the pathways.  The new raised beds were recently planted and Redbud and Arroya Sweetwood trees are budding out. The challenge now is watering until it rains. (It did rain before the blog got posted, which is great news!)

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 by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.

Signs of Spring

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

Catherine Johnson

Signs of spring in February at the Wildscape include these welcome sights:

  • Fragrant Sumac buds
  • Bee on Elbow bush
  • Ducks in mud
  • Southwest garden

We look forward to seeing how all the work we’ve done for the Pollinators for Texas project comes to life in the next few months!

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 by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.

First Quarter Grant Update

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Dorothy Mayer

This November we finished the first phase of the H-E-B Pollinators for Texas Project at our Milam Wildscspe.

It’s been fun!

A large number of our members volunteered many hours. Progress included new pathways, seating areas, native Texas redbuds, grasses and groundcovers.

Ready to grow

In 2026 we will focus on identification of target pollinators and conclude the project with April and May Community tours.

Come on, 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 by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.

Planting Native Grasses at the Wildscape

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

By Sue Ann Kendall

All the preparations have paid off for our pollinator project at the Milam Wildscape. Our grant from the H-E-B Pollinators for Texas is going a long way toward creating just what our target species need.

The pollinators are waiting patiently for their new nectar and pollen sources.

Starting early on Saturday morning, volunteers got their hands dirty and planted many interesting native grasses and ground covers in the new prairie area.

Catherine Johnson explains what kinds of grasses have been planted.

This new section isn’t covered in plastic, because the grasses and ground covers should quickly fill in the space and eliminate unwanted volunteers.

The new area

All the different textures and colors of these grasses will provide a beautiful background for other annual and perennial natives.

Lindheimer muhly
With apologies, I can’t remember the names Catherine told me for these plants.

There are various new plantings elsewhere, thanks to all the creativity and hard work of our team.

New plants I. The giant planter
New items in the succulent area
working
Working
Taking a break
Kitty had to take a break, too
New redbud

Of course, a visit to the Wildscape isn’t complete without some pollinators. We hope their descendants enjoy all the new plants.

A tiny skipper
Painted lady
Bee and butterfly
Gulf Fritillary
Another fritillary
Gray looper moth
Honeybee digging deep
Resting carpenter bee.

There’s another workday next week, then the plants will settle in next month.

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 by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.