Setting up the Invasive Hunter Academy with samples of edible invasive plant species
It was wonderful bringing the Invasive Hunter Academy to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Thursday, June 11, 2015, to help teach kids about invasive species as part of this summer’s Nature Nights events.
I previewed the event along with some videos in my Yum! Edible Invasive Species at the Wildflower Center during Nature Nights blog post.
The Nature Nights event that I attended focused on edible plants, so naturally, I found some varieties of edible invasive plants for the kids to try:
- Delicious Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta – also known as Taro)
- Tasty Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
What a hit they were! The Taro chips went fast, but many agreed that the Bamboo was an acquired taste.
Here are some pictures from the event:
Lots of plant activities for kids during Nature Nights 2015
The young Austin naturalists found a great spot near the academy table to sample invasive plant species and work on their Invasive Hunter action diorama.
Remember that to become an Invasive Hunter, you need to learn the action moves to take down your opponent.
I enjoyed talking with kids about invasive species as they picked the invasive plant they wanted to battle for their action diorama.
Thanks, Ms. Julie Graham, Wildflower Center Education Specialist, for inviting me to bring my Invasive Hunter Academy back to Nature Nights this year! We had a lot of Austin kids graduate as Invasive Hunters, ready to protect their native ecosystem from non-native plants.
Nature Nights in July
There are more opportunities to enjoy the Wildflower Center this summer! Nature Nights continues with more fun, family-friendly events in July:
- July 9 – Springs, Streams and Ponds Ecology
- July 16 – Harnessing Fire
- July 23 – Birds of Prey
I hope that you’re having a wonderful summer!
Your friend,
Ben
Commander Ben 