Category Archives: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

December 28, 2011 · 9:33 am

Strategy and Tactics for Combatting Invasive Plant Species

Mr. Matt McCaw talks about his work, helping to manage conservation lands and improve the quality of water entering aquifers. He describes the different physical and mechanical ways to combat privets (genus Ligustrum) in Central Texas and when necessary, what types of targeted herbicides are the most effective. Learn why he likes felling Chinaberries and why Saltcedars are so difficult to take down. Mr. McCaw is a biologist in Austin, Texas.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Commander Ben signing off…

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Aquifer, Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Chinaberry, City of Austin, City of Austin Wildland Conservation Division, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Ligustrum, Matt McCaw, Privet, Saltcedar

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December 24, 2011 · 1:10 pm

Merry Christmas with Luminarias at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Earlier this month, I had a great time walking through the luminarias at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Luminarias are a New Mexican tradition where people put candles or lights inside a brown bag weighted with sand, and they place these bags along their driveways and walkways to help illuminate the way for the Christ child to visit their home.

I enjoyed climbing the wildflower tower and watching everyone walking among the luminarias throughout the center. It was great that many held real candles inside sturdy brown plastic bags with a protective layer of water at the bottom. It was great to enjoy hot chocolate on that chilly December night.

Here’s the Ghost of Christmas Present from my Christmas video, “An Invasive Carol”, wishing you, your family, and your native plants a Merry Christmas!

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Filed under A Christmas Carol, Christmas, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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December 18, 2011 · 9:16 pm

Turn the Tide Against Zebra Mussels with Texas Parks and Wildlife

Ms. Darcy Bontempo talks about the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s continuing campaign against invasives with their spotlight on the Zebra Mussel, a species that presents an insidious danger with their millions of microscopic larva. She talks about the mussels’ economic and environmental impact and key steps boaters can take to stop their spread. Ms. Bontempo is the Marketing Director for the Communications Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Our state parks need help

Texas Parks and Wildlife needs our help! This year’s drought, heat, and terrible wildfires has led to a drop in park attendance, and park visitor’s fees provide about half of the funding for our state parks.

If you can, please join me in making a donation to help our wonderful natural treasures, our state parks.

Commander Ben signing off…

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Darcy Bontempo, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Zebra Mussel

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December 18, 2011 · 9:14 pm

Rare Texas Plants Struggle Against Invasive Species

Dr. Karen Clary describes the threat that invasive species pose to our rare Texas plants and recounts the ground-running, native Prostrate Milkweed’s struggle against the tall, invasive King Ranch Bluestem. She also talks about her two most disliked invasive plants, Giant Salvania and Heavenly Bamboo. Dr. Clary is a biologist with the Wildlife Habitat Assessment Program for the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Learn more about our Central Texas ecosystem

Dr. Clary is also an instructor with Go Native U, which provides a great set of classes to learn more about our native environment. The classes on the flora and fauna of central Texas look really neat, especially those on our native wildflowers, plants, insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles. I look forward to attending these classes in the future!

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Giant Salvinia, Go Native U, Heavenly Bamboo, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Karen Clary, King Ranch Bluestem, KR Bluestem, Prostrate Milkweed, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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November 21, 2011 · 11:13 am

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Fends Off Invasive Species

Mr. Mitch Robinson describes the history of the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve and the unique challenges that this hill country nature jewel faces from invasive species escaping from surrounding properties.  Find out what easy-to-grow ornamental tops his least favorite invasive. Mr. Mitch Robinson is the Land Management and Education Coordinator of the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Commander Ben signing off…

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Mitch Robinson, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

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