Seeds and more seeds

By Linda Burgess

This past Tuesday, the El Camino Real Master Naturalists and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners came together to contribute to a shared volunteer opportunity. We meet the third Tuesday of each month to package native and adapted wildflower seeds, herb and garden seeds, and some landscaping plant seeds…..all for the Free Seed Library located in the Cameron Public Library.  

We are sharing stories, getting to know one another, and providing free seeds to the residents of Milam County. It’s become a great opportunity to learn and grow from each other’s expertise….. and there’s a wealth of knowledge in these two organizations!

Earth Day Greetings from the Seed Library

By Linda Burgess

(This was posted on Facebook yesterday)

It’s Earth Day!  …. and a beautiful day to get outside and plant some wildflowers!

Wildflowers make bees happy!

The El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners, with the help of the Cameron Public Library, have created a free Seed Library for the public.

Volunteers packaging seeds

We have lots of native wildflowers, adapted plants, and some herbs. We are always adding new varieties, so come by and get a few packets of free seeds. We can’t wait to see our community become even more beautiful …and it’s a huge benefit to our environment.  You’ll also feel joy from being outside and watching your seeds grow!

Thanks to the Cameron Public Library for hosting the seed library.

We had our monthly seed packaging at the Library on Earth Day. With Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners combined, we had 21 volunteers! We’re grateful to them all.

Seed Packaging Is Going Great

by Linda Burgess

WOW! On Tuesday afternoon, 17 volunteers working together (Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners) enjoyed our united project and friendship as we packaged seeds for the Seed Library (located in the Cameron Public Library).

I know it’s been cold, but this next week’s weather will get us excited as we plan for Spring planting.

We have free seeds available to the public at the library, and also don’t forget about the Master Gardeners’ Plant sale coming up on Saturday, March 1st.

El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists Launch Community Seed Library

by Linda Burgess

[This article was submitted to the Cameron and Rockdale weekly newspapers.]

The El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists, in partnership with the Cameron Public Library and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners, are thrilled to announce the launch of a new and exciting initiative: the Community Seed Library. This innovative program, housed at the Cameron Public Library, is designed to inspire the community to embrace native gardening and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant local ecosystem.

The Community Seed Library offers a wide variety of seeds, all available for free to the public. Residents can pick up seeds and plant them in their own gardens, encouraging the growth of native plants specifically adapted to thrive in the local environment. By growing these plants, community members can enjoy numerous benefits, including:

● Supporting Native Pollinators: Native plants provide essential nectar and habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are critical to maintaining biodiversity.

● Improving the Ecosystem: Native vegetation helps create a balanced ecosystem, promoting healthy soil, clean air, and vibrant wildlife.

● Preventing Soil Erosion: The deep roots of many native plants help stabilize soil and reduce erosion, particularly in areas prone to heavy rain or wind.

● Beautifying the Landscape: Native plants create a stunning, natural aesthetic that reflects the unique beauty of our region.

The Community Seed Library is more than just a place to pick up seeds; it’s an opportunity to learn about the importance of native plants and how they benefit the environment. By participating in this program, residents can help create a greener, more sustainable future for Cameron and the surrounding areas.

“Linda Burgess, a Texas Master Naturalist, has been a driving force behind getting this project off the ground and ready to go. This project is a labor of love for our community,” said Carolyn Henderson, President of El Camino Real Master Naturalists. “We hope the Community Seed Library will inspire people to reconnect with nature and take an active role in preserving our local environment.”

The El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists are deeply grateful to the Cameron Public Library and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners for their support in bringing this project to life. Their shared vision and collaboration have made it possible to provide this valuable resource to the community.

The Community Seed Library is open during regular library hours. We encourage everyone—from seasoned gardeners to those planting for the first time—to stop by, pick up some seeds, and start growing!

El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists Launch Community Seed Library

The El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists, in partnership with the Cameron Public Library and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners, are thrilled to announce the launch of a new and exciting initiative: the Community Seed Library. This innovative program, housed at the Cameron Public Library, is designed to inspire the community to embrace native gardening and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant local ecosystem.

The Community Seed Library offers a wide variety of seeds, all available for free to the public. Residents can pick up seeds and plant them in their own gardens, encouraging the growth of native plants specifically adapted to thrive in the local environment. By growing these plants, community members can enjoy numerous benefits, including:

● Supporting Native Pollinators: Native plants provide essential nectar and habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are critical to maintaining biodiversity.

● Improving the Ecosystem: Native vegetation helps create a balanced ecosystem, promoting healthy soil, clean air, and vibrant wildlife.

● Preventing Soil Erosion: The deep roots of many native plants help stabilize soil and reduce erosion, particularly in areas prone to heavy rain or wind.

● Beautifying the Landscape: Native plants create a stunning, natural aesthetic that reflects the unique beauty of our region.

The Community Seed Library is more than just a place to pick up seeds; it’s an opportunity to learn about the importance of native plants and how they benefit the environment. By participating in this program, residents can help create a greener, more sustainable future for Cameron and the surrounding areas.

“Linda Burgess, a Texas Master Naturalist, has been a driving force behind getting this project off the ground and ready to go. This project is a labor of love for our community,” said Carolyn Henderson, President of El Camino Real Master Naturalists. “We hope the Community Seed Library will inspire people to reconnect with nature and take an active role in preserving our local environment.”

The El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists are deeply grateful to the Cameron Public Library and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners for their support in bringing this project to life. Their shared vision and collaboration have made it possible to provide this valuable resource to the community.

The Community Seed Library is open during regular library hours. We encourage everyone—from seasoned gardeners to those planting for the first time—to stop by, pick up some seeds, and start growing!

For more information about the Community Seed Library or to learn how you can get involved, visit the Cameron Public Library or contact the El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalists at elcaminorealmasternaturalist@gmail.com. Together, we can cultivate a healthier environment and a stronger community, one seed at a time.

Free Wildflower Seed Library Update

by Linda Burgess

We have met several times at Bird and Bee Farm to harvest seeds for our newest El Camino Real Master Naturalist project.

Yesterday, November 26th, we met at the Cameron Public Library to start packaging the seeds. Our project has been embraced by Elena Berkes, the library’s Director. She even joined us yesterday! 

Elena is letting us use the beautiful card catalog cabinets at the library to store our seeds and make them available to the public.

We made 275 seed packets yesterday! I was thrilled! I want to thank all the volunteers who have come to harvest seeds and those who came yesterday to package the seeds. 

This will be an ongoing project and you will receive volunteer hours under Community Outreach- Indirect, as well as travel time.

I would love for you to collect seeds, native and adapted, to contribute. Just put your seeds in a brown paper bag or envelope, the name of the plant, and the date you collected the seeds.

I would like to say special thanks to Catherine Johnson (an expert in native and adapted plants)!  She has helped me immensely.🎉

Come join us at our next gathering to package seeds, which will be on Tuesday, December 17th, at the Cameron Public Library.