FREDERICKSBURG — The Texas Master Naturalist Hill Country Chapter will host a public presentation Oct. 26 on efforts to restore riparian forests along the Guadalupe River following repeated flooding.
Matt Welch, director of conservation and collections at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, will present “Rethinking Riparian Restoration in the Hill Country” during the chapter’s monthly meeting at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 601 W. Creek St., in Fredericksburg.
According to the chapter’s announcement, the presentation will address approaches to restoring riverside forests amid climate uncertainty and recurring floods.
Welch will discuss the botanical garden’s TREES Initiative, which works to restore riparian forests in Kerr and Kendall counties using locally sourced native plants. The initiative includes collecting seeds from native plant populations along the Guadalupe River, cultivating seedlings, planting trees and monitoring their survival.
Species used in the restoration work include bald cypress, Texas sycamore, willow, pecan and oak. According to the announcement, the project aims to help restore tree canopy, wildlife habitat and stability along the river corridor.
The initiative takes a long-term approach to restoration, including continued planting and monitoring as sites experience changing environmental conditions. The chapter’s announcement also identifies opportunities for volunteers to assist with seed collection, planting, site maintenance and monitoring.
Welch has more than 25 years of experience in conservation and horticulture, according to his professional biography provided by the chapter. His work includes ecological restoration, native plant production, seed collection, propagation systems and land stewardship in Texas.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., with light refreshments available. The chapter’s monthly business meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by Welch’s presentation at 7 p.m.
There is no charge to attend. Online participation is available through Zoom, but registration is required at https:// us02web.zoom.us/meeting/ register/HzvCLDRDR6Cj GsNmhcigAQ#/ registration.
The Texas Master Naturalist Hill Country Chapter is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The chapter is one of 48 Texas chapters and covers Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Menard, Real and San Saba counties.
Information about the chapter and membership is available at https://txmn. org/hillcountry/.
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