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!
Little River Master Gardeners gathered at the El Camino Real Master Naturalist Wildscape last Wednesday to learn about native plant gardening. The Master Naturalists have a wildscape out on FM 334 to learn, teach, and share with each other about keeping it native.
Worker bees getting ready for presentation to the Little River Master Gardeners
Connie Anderle, a member of both chapters, introduced everyone then turned it over to Catherine Johnson, manager of the wildscape for ECRMN, to explain the layout and where the plants come from to be planted. Linda Jo Conn then talked to the group about why growing native plants is better for everyone and all native species of insects, birds and animals. Jackie Thornton spoke about the beauty of native species and read excerpts from a children’s book titled A Prairie Garden. Gene and Cindy Rek also spoke about their contribution, which is a lot, to the project.
Jackie Thornton reads pocket garden book to the group
Ann Collins made refreshments for the attendees and Ellen Luckey helped serve. There was a great deal of debate over which of Ann’s multiple types of cookies was the best.
Ann Collins and Ellen Luckey serving refreshments
After the speeches, all the guests toured the wildscape with members guiding and explaining what each section is about. There were 32 Master Gardeners in attendance.
Entrane to the wildscapeA few of the many Gulf Fritillaries flying all over the placeCindy Rek shares her very large dirt dbauber nest made on top of a cleaning agent can.Linda Jo Conn explains why native is better
Nature Along the El Camino Real 