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.
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 muhlyWith 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 planterNew items in the succulent areaworkingWorkingTaking a break Kitty had to take a break, tooNew 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 skipperPainted ladyBee and butterflyGulf Fritillary Another fritillary Gray looper mothHoneybee digging deepResting 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.
Our chapter is putting our H-E-B Pollinators for Texas grant to good use. Many hours of hard work, along with materials purchased from the grant have transformed the former jumble of natives and volunteers into a fairly orderly setting for the new native plants that will go in soon. It’s a Wildscape, so it has to be a little wild, right?
There are still lots of fun accessories!
In the past couple of weeks, much plastic has been laid down to discourage some of the more vigorous volunteers from taking over before the new plantings get established. All the paths have new crushed gravel to make the area easier for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Very neat and tidy!
There’s still a lot to do—there always seems to be another batch of plants to thin or remove. I wish I’d gotten a photo of all the Turk’s cap getting thinned. That was some effort!
Speaking of effort, while I was chatting, this chicken laid an egg right in front of me!
There were a few bees and butterflies around last Saturday, but I think they’re also waiting on the new sources of sustenance. But not all the flowers are gone!
Carpenter beeRoseTropical sage (native)Butterfly bush (non-native but attracts insects)Mexican bush sage (from Mexico)Wax myrtle (native)Eufala Skipper Ant
Hard work is much more fun with cheerful volunteers. Come join our merry band some Saturday! The Milam Wildscape is adjacent to Bird and Bee farm—look us up!
WorkingPlaying
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.
As part of our grant from the H-E-B Pollinators Across Texas Project, members of our chapter spent the morning at the Milam Wildscape making sure invasives have been removed and preparing for planting the native plants we hope will attract the set of pollinators we want to document over the coming months.
Common Buckeye on trailing lantana
Chad, Scott, Bill, Liz, and Kit shoveled and moved a whole lot of crushed granite. Luckily, we had multiple shovels and wheelbarrows to get the work done.
In progressHappy to see the last load
Meanwhile, Tina, Catherine, and Carolyn spread the gravel and stomped on it. It was quite satisfying to stomp, and the rose bush did not permanently injure any volunteers. The end result is beautiful and will make the area safer for visitors.
Rose bush trying to attack CarolynShe dominatedHard at workThe area was well prepared
Don’t worry, we need more gravel spread- for our chapter members who missed the opportunity!
Two views of the team
Patsy and Sue Ann recorded the whole event for reporting purposes. They even found a few pollinators lurking around the Wildscape.
Patsy had a real cameraSue Ann took a phoneCarpenter beeAnother one!
Donna, Ann, and Kim greeted visitors who wondered just what we were doing. The visitors got free wildflower seeds and pollinator brochures to answer all their questions.
Charming the visitors Donna and KimDonna and Ann
The most impressive achievement of the morning was that the excessively aggressive (though native) Cypress vine that took over the awning was removed – again. Kit, Tina, Liz, Scott, Chad and Carolyn slayed it – for the moment. This will probably need to be repeated. The vine is beautiful but very aggressive.
That vine was toughDone!
We look forward to sharing the progress of this project and are grateful to H-E-B for the Pollinators across Texas grant.
On the first cool day of Autumn, progress continued on the H-E-B Pollinators Across Texas Project at the Milam Wildscape Project.
Many native plants are thriving, including Buttonbush trees, host to Sphinx Moths. Barbados Cherry provides nectar, fruit, and seeds. Goldenrod that was provided by Chapter member Eric is ready to bloom.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 