Gardening and Other Community Events Around the Hill Country   Visit the Burnet Farmers and Craft Market on the Burnet Town Square on Saturdays from May through Thanksgiving from 9 to 1. Go to the Burnet Farmers Market Page. If you would like to be reminded of these garden related events around one week before, sign up for our Gardening Event email reminder list Current Programs November and December - This is the time to sign up for the classes to become a Master Gardener. Get full information here. Sign up now. The 15th Annual SparrowFest is February 2, 2019. This Sparrow Identification Workshop is hosted by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Registration opens November 22, 2018. This usually fills up fast so reserve your spot now. The central Texas Hill Country is one of the best locations in the United States for the study of native sparrows in late winter. Click here for more info and registration. Thursday, December 6th - The December 6th Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society Program will have Mr. Ed Sones, President of the Austin Area Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. and a member of Austin Wildlife Rescue. Mr. Sones will present a program entitled “Adventures of a Wildlife Rehabber” and will have some live raptors at the meeting. Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society is at the AgriLife Extension building at 607 North Vandeveer St. in Burnet. Bird walk at 8:15 is cancelled. The monthly bird walk before the December 6th meeting is cancelled and will restart January 3rd at the City of Burnet's Haley Nelson Park located at 1624 Buchanan Dr (West Hwy 29),Burnet. (see link below for more information), Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. Click here for full information on the program and directions. Friday, January 4th - Highland Lakes Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis will present "Hill Country Landscaping" using landscape design principles in our Hill Country Gardens. Join us for this free program presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the meeting and program which starts at 1:00 PM. Click here for more information. Saturday, January 19th - Dr. Hans Landel will be doing the animal invasive workshop, that compliments the invasive plant workshop he gave us in September. The date is January 19th from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Agri-Life Extension office in Burnet. Click here for full information on this free workshop and to register March 8th, 2019 - Comal Master Gardeners Association is hosting its annual seminar on March 8, 2019 from 8:30-4:00 in New Braunfels. The seminar is entitled “Dynamics of the Four Seasons,” and will include four prominent speakers: Dr. Calvin Finch (garden color); David Rodriguez (vegetables); Skip Richter (maintenance); and Dr. Larry Stein (fruit trees). Registration and details for the event, as well as more information about the speakers, can be found at the Comal Master Gardeners website or by following the link below. Seating is limited, and seminar slots usually fill quickly. Lunch is included in the $55 seminar fee, and 6 hours of AT will be given for MG. Get Notified: Be sure to sign up to be notified about these great
programs presented free by the Kingsland Garden Club, the Master Gardener's
Green Thumb Program, Native Plant Society, Birding and Wildflower Society and other local gardening and community events. Learn more about the Green Thumb Program Drop us an email if you have any questions about any programs. Past Programs Friday, January 9th, 2015 - Ben Hutchins from Texas Parks and Wildlife will present a program on "Native Texas Bees". This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. AT credit for MG Saturday, January 17th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Kelly Conrad Simon (formerly Kelly Conrad Bender), TPWD Urban Wildlife Biologist and author, will present "Wildscaping and Native Hill Country Habitat & Future of Conservation in Texas" AT credit for MG Thursday, February 5th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Jessica Robertson of Backbone Valley Nursery will speak on "When, How, Where and Why to Plant Wildflower Seeds" More info here. AT for MN and MG Friday, February 6th - Wade Hibler will present a very interesting program on "Identifing and Dealing with our Hill Country Bugs". Wade is the former AgriLife Extension Agent for Burnet County. This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Wednesday,February 11th - "Propagation 101: Growing New Plants" with Master Gardener Rosalyn Lackey in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 10:30 - 11:30 at the Bertram Library, 140 S. Gabriel, Bertram. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Wednesday,February 11th - "Dirt to Soil" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, February 12th - Meeting of the Highland Lakes Garden Club 1:00 PM at the Marble Falls Library. Master Gardener and Certified Landscape Design Consultant Sheryl Yantis will present an interesting program on "Sustainable Landscapes" More info here. AT credit for MG Thursday, March 5th - Canceled - Rescheduled for June 4th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Cathy Downs from NPSOT will present on "Monarch Butterflies and Milkweed" More info here. AT for MN and MG See June 4th Friday, March 6th - Marvin Bloomquist, past president of Highland Lakes Native Plant Society of Texas and Past President of Highland Lakes Master Naturalists, and avid photographer will help us get the most out of our cameras. "The Digital Camera as a Tool for Flower Identification" This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. The Club meeting is at 1 PM. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Read Picayune article on Marvin here Tuesday March 10th - Plant sale at the Burnet Middle School Greenhouse. 8 AM to 4 PM. Read about it and directions on my newsletter here. Wednesday, March 11th - Wade Hibler will be discussing “Urban Forestry” at the First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls. Hosted by United Methodist Women at 9:30 a.m. 1101 Bluebonnet Dr in Marble Falls.
Wednesday, March 11th - "How to Treat Your Soil to Make it Rich and Those Pesky Insects to Make Them Gone" with Master Gardener Rosalyn Lackey in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 10:30 - 11:30 at the Bertram Library, 140 S. Gabriel, Bertram. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Wednesday, March 11th - "Growing #1 Tomatoes" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Saturday, March 21st - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Diane Sherrill will present "A Presentation and Open Discussion on Native Landscaping, Maintenance and Restoration Basics". AT credit for MG and MN Saturday, March 28th - Hill Country Lawn & Garden Show presented by the Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association at the Burnet Community Center from 9 AM to 4 PM. Check out the demonstrations and get all the plants you have been looking for and other interesting vendors. Don't forget the Native Plants Society Plant Sale. Click here for more information. Thursday, April 2nd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Dr. Ray Buchanan will present "Japanese Landscape Gardens"
Friday, April 3rd - "How to Build and Maintain a Keyhole Garden". This is a free program presented by the Highland Lakes Master Gardeners featuring W. Leon Smith, owner of Keyhole Farm.com . The program is 10:00 to 12:00 at the Helping Center Garden. AT for MG Saturday , April 4th - Kingsland Garden Club Annual Plant Sale at the Kingsland House of Arts & Crafts Spring Sale behind Wells Fargo Bank on Chamberlain St. We will be on the East side. Get good home grown Hill Country plants at very reasonable prices. Come early for best selection. Open only on Saturday 10-4. Tuesday, April, 7th - The Burnet Middle School Plant Sale will be 8 AM to 4 PM on April 7th. You can get great plants at good prices and help out this great program. Go north on 281 past hwy 29 to 3rd street and turn right to about the third entrance marked "Food Service". Proceed right to the greenhouse.
Thursday - Sunday, April 9th - April 12th - Enjoy the many activities and vendors at the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival. Click here for full information about the fun events at this years festival. Don't miss the free wildflower displays and other activities with the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society show at the Herman Brown Free Library on the Square on Friday from 2 to 5 and Saturday from 9 to 5. Saturday, April 11th - Lothar Benthke of Weeks Roses will teach you everything you need to know to grow beautiful roses. Program is at Backbone Valley Nursery from 2:00 to 3:30, just in time for the arrival of the roses at the nursery. AT for MG Friday-Monday, April 24th - April 27th - Enjoy the tours and activities at the Balcones Songbird Festival. The tours may sell out, so sign up now. Saturday, May 2nd - The Burnet Farmers Market presented by the Highland Lakes Master Gardeners will open on Saturdays from May 2nd to November 21st on the Burnet Town Square from 9 AM to 1 PM. More info here. Saturday, May 2nd - Jessica Robertson, Owner of Backbone Valley Nursery, “Worm Composting Class”, May 2nd, 10:30 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery: “Come learn how to create your own worm composting bin!” Thursday, May 7th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Pauline Tom, President of the Texas Bluebird Society will present a program on "Attracting Bluebirds" More info here. Tuesday, May 12th - “How to Grow Plants from Seeds: Unlocking Some of the Mysteries” with Beth Mortenson, Master Gardener in a Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 2:30 at the Lakeshore Library in Buchanan Dam. You must make a reservation to attend this free program (325) 379-1174. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Saturday, May 16th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Hans Landel, Ph.D of the LBJ Wildflower Center will discuss "Texas Invaders" More info here. AT credit for MG and MN Thursday, June 4th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Cathy Downs from NPSOT will present on "Monarch Butterflies and Milkweed" More info here. AT for MN and MG Saturday, August 29th - Jessica Robertson, Owner of Backbone Valley Nursery, presents a free program “Fall Vegetable Garden Part 1- Prepare Your Garden”, 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. AT credit for MG Thursday, September 3rd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. World traveler and bird expert Sherry Bixler will present a colorful and interesting program on "Birds of Africa" More info here. Saturday, September 5th - Jessica Robertson, Owner of Backbone Valley Nursery, presents a free program “Fall Vegetable Garden Part 2- Planting Your Garden”, 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Wednesday,September 9th - "Clean up - Why Fall is the Best Time to Garden" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Friday, September 11th – Andra Harris will present a program on "Bokashi Composting". This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. AT credit for MG Saturday, September 12th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with George Cates from Native American Seed on Native Plants, 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, September 19th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Alyssa Burgin, Executive Director of the Texas Drought Project will be the Speaker at the NPSOT Meeting. The Texas Drought Project, is a five-year-old non-profit organization founded to educate Texans on the connections between drought and climate change. AT credit for MG and MN Saturday, September 26th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program " Organics Made Easy with Greg Cooper", 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. http://www.backbonevalleynursery.com/events/list/ AT credit for MG Friday, October 2nd – Linda Fleming, former Kingsland resident, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and Garden Club Member will present a program on the establishment of the demonstration garden for the Victoria County Master Gardeners. This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 3rd - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program from Jessica Robertson " Worm Composting", 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. http://www.backbonevalleynursery.com/events/list/ AT credit for MG Saturday, October 10th - "Celebrating Native Plant Week in the Highland Lakes" Start at the Horseshoe Bay City Hall Park and get some great ideas for your own yard and buy native plants at our semi-annual Native Plant Sale. 9 AM to 1 PM. There is a free speaker presentation from Valerie Bugh “The Butterflies of Central Texas” at 10:00 AM AT credit for program for MG Wednesday, October 14th - "Planting Bulbs for Fall Color" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 17th- Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy free , fun programs, workshops and nature walks. Click here to learn about this great opportunity. Saturday, October 31- Whoooooo’s ready for some family-friendly fun? Join the Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center (at Reveille Peak Ranch) for Owl-oh-ween, October 31st, 10 am to 2 pm for Owl-Oh-Ween Nature Center Open House. This event is FREE and food and drinks will be available by donation! Click here to learn about the free fun activities for children and adults. Saturday, October 31- The Native Prairies Association and Monarch Host Cities Project present a monarch Workshop "The Benefits of Monarch Butterfly Conservation for Landowners" from 8:30 to 2:30 in Floresville, Texas. Registration is only $10 which includes lunch. Click here for full information. Advanced Training for MG and MN Friday, November 6, 2015 - Kingsland Garden Club Members tour of Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center with founder and Director Billy Hutson. AT for MG cancelled Saturday, November 7th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with local favorite Keenan Fletcher. She will discuss "Heirloom Bulbs for the Hill Country" at 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT for MG Sunday, November 8th - Friends of Balcones annual meeting and awards luncheon 9:00 AM - Flying X Ranch, 8936 S FM 1174, Bertram, TX 78605. More information and online registration: Awards Luncheon & FOB Annual Meeting Monday, November 9th - Consider volunteering at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. New volunteer Orientation is at Balcones NWR Headquarters 24518 FM 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654 at 9 AM. More information and online registration: New Volunteer Orientation Saturday, November 14th - Learn the techniques of being a volunteer tour guide at Balcones Refuge. This is a great opportunity to learn to be a leader presented from 9:30 to 12:30 at Doeskin Ranch. Click here for full information. AT for MN. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 27 through December 19th - Cool season vegetable sale at Marble Falls High School Greenhouse for benefit of program. Thursday, December 3, 2015 - Birding and Wildflower Society Members potluck and party Friday, December 4, 2015 - Kingsland Garden Club Annual Members luncheon January 8, 2016 - Cindy Friedrichs, owner of Lily Flower Shoppe, will present "Think OUTSIDE the Box When Making Your Flower Arrangements". This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. In addition, Sheryl Yantis will also be presenting a short program on "Bring back the Monarchs" during the 1 PM meeting. 1 hour AT credit for MG Saturday, January 9th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present In’s and Out’s of Seed Propagation with Rhiannon Spaw of Fox Farms. She will teach tips and tricks to save a ton of money growing your own vegetables and flowers. Program is from 1 PM to 3 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MG Wednesday, January 13th - Free Green Thumb Program - Violet Carson, Master Gardener, "House Plants Need Fresh Air Too", 12:00-1:00, at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk, Kingsland Click here for more Green Thumb info AT credit for MG Thursday, January 14th - The Highland Lakes Garden Club will meet at the Falls on the Colorado Museum, 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls to recall 49 years of club history as a federated club with photos and events preserved in its scrapbooks archived at the Museum. The public is invited to share this special travel through time that parallels the development of the Hill Country. Meeting starts at 1 PM. You can also get a sneak peak of the new Quanah Parker exhibit at the museum. Please call Jennifer Keys, 830-596-0409, to let them know you plan to attend. Saturday, January 16th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Mark Klym of Texas Parks and Wildlife will speak about "Monarchs and Milkweed". Public is invited to attend. Click here for more info. AT credit for MG Tuesday, January 26th - Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis will be presenting "Hill Country Roses" at a meeting of the Friends of the Kingsland Library at 2 P.M. at the Kingsland Library. The public is invited to attend. AT credit for MG Saturday, January 30th - "Tool Maintenance and Fruit Tree Seminar" Wade Hibler, retired Burnet County Extension Agent, says it's the perfect time to trim fruit trees and get those garden tools in tip top shape. Wade will be conducting a free seminar on pruning fruit trees and garden tool maintenance on Saturday, January 30th, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the Helping Center Garden. The Helping Center Garden is located adjacent to the Helping Center Food Bank at 1016 Broadway in Marble Falls. Tours of the garden will be available at 9:30 am and 11:00 am, so come a little early or stay a little later to see the many gardening techniques practiced in the Helping Center Garden. AT credit for MG Thursday, February 4th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. More info here. Christine Taylor from Wildbirds Unlimited will be speaking on the proper feeding of local birds. AT credit for MG Friday, February 5th - Burnet County Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Agent Kelly Tarla will present "Historic Trees of Texas". This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, February 6th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present Fruit Tree Pruning with Jessica Robertson, Owner of Backbone Valley Nursery. Learn how to properly prune fruit trees for the best yields and healthy trees. Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MG Wednesday, February 10th - Free Green Thumb Program - Rosalyn Lackey, Master Gardener, "You Can Grow Artichokes in Texas", 10:30 to 11:30, at the Bertram Library, 140 S. Gabriel St., Bertram Click here for more Green Thumb info AT credit for MG Wednesday, February 10th - Free Green Thumb Program - Violet Carson, Master Gardener, "Tomatoes And Their Kind", 12:00-1:00, at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk, Kingsland Click here for more Green Thumb info AT credit for MG Saturday, February 13th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present Chocolate and Orchids Workshop, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MG Friday, January 15th through February 27th - The Quanah Parker exhibit is open at the Falls on the Colorado Museum, 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls. Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday, February 20th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present Spring Lawn Care Seminar, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MG Saturday, February 27th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present Late Winter Pruning Seminar, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MG Thursday, March 3rd - Meeting of The Lakes Photography Club at 6 PM at the Falls on the Colorado Museum, 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls. Everyone is invited. You can bring a few jpegs on a flash drive to add to the discussion. If you want more information, contact Mike Childers at chili865@gmail.com Friday, March 4th - Sherie Clarkson will present "Growing and Using Herbs". This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. AT credit for MG Saturday, March 5th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present All About Herbs with Trisha Shirey, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980 AT credit for MG Wednesday, March 9 - Free Green Thumb Program - Violet Carson, Master Gardener, "Soil Not Dirt", 12:00-1:00, at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk, Kingsland Click here for more Green Thumb info AT credit for MG Wednesday, March 9 - Free Green Thumb Program - Rosalyn Lackey, Master Gardener, "Propagation 101: Growing New Plants In Properly Treated Soil And Making those Pesky Insects Go Away",10:30 to 11:30, at the Bertram Library, 140 S. Gabriel St. Bertram Click here for more Green Thumb info AT credit for MG Thursday, March 10th - Meeting of the Highland Lakes Garden Club 1:00 PM at the Marble Falls Library. Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis will present an interesting and informative program "Butterflies - The Jewels of Our Garden" Public is invited. More info here. AT credit for MG Saturday, March 12th - Backbone Valley Nursery will presentTomato Growing Seminar with Jessica, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MGSaturday, March 12th - The Texas Bluebird Society will present the 2016 Season Kickoff and FUNdraising Auction in Bastrop. The annual kickoff promotes the conservation of bluebirds and teaches the public how to attract and provide quality habitat for bluebirds across Texas. 9 AM to 3 PM Guest speakers will cover topics that bluebirders, new and experienced, will find interesting and entertaining. Get full information at http://www.texasbluebirdsociety.org/2016event.php Early Bird registration until Feb. 12th. Saturday, March 19th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Amy Sugeno, LCSW, biologist and ecotherapist, or nature-based therapies for adults and children, will present a program on “Healing from the Ground Up: Plants and Gardens that Promote Health and Healing”. Public is invited to attend. Click here for more info about this interesting program. AT credit for MG and MN Saturday, March 19th - Backbone Valley Nursery will presentVegetable Gardening 1 (soil prep.) with Andy of Fox Farm Products, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MGSaturday, March 26th - Backbone Valley Nursery will presentVegetable Gardening 2 (planting) with Jessica, Program is at 1 PM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MGThursday, March 31st - The Burnet Middle School is ready for their Annual Plant Sale. You can get great plants at good prices and help out this great program at the same time. It will be 8 AM to 4 PM at their greenhouse. Go north on 281 past hwy 29 to 3rd street and turn right to about the third entrance marked "Food Service". Proceed right to the greenhouse. Lots of beautiful vegetables , hanging baskets, and plants. Vegetable 6 packs are $2.00, 4 inch plants are $2.00, Hanging baskets $8.00, Large pots with many plants are $10.00 Friday, April 1st and Saturday April 2nd - Marble Falls High School Greenhouse Plant Sale. Friday 1 to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM. Behind the High School at the greenhouse storefront, 2101 Mustang Drive. They will have tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs, flowers, cucumbers, melons, squash and hanging baskets at very low prices. All proceeds benefit the horticulture program at the school. Saturday, April 2nd - Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show. Burnet Community Center 9 AM - 4 PM Friday, April 8th - Meeting of the Kingsland Garden Club. The public is invited to this unique place with a tour of Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center with founder and Director Billy Hutson at 1 PM. Click here for info on UHLNC. Click here for directions to UHLNC and Reveille Peak Ranch. Here is GPS info 30º48.468-98º20.055 105 CR 114 You can copy and paste this to google maps. You can also reach the ranch from hwy 690 from Buchanan Dam. You will be required to sign a release form for Reveille Peak UHLNC to tour the Ranch. Saturday, April 9th - Backbone Valley Nursery will presentOrganic Soil and Beneficial Insects with Skip Richter. Program is at 11 AM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. Click on the program name for more info on Skip Richter. AT for MGSunday, April 10th - Friends of Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge present a Friends Workshop - Feed the Monarchs. Click here for full information. Wednesday, April 13th - Free Green Thumb Program - Violet Carson, Master Gardener, "Gardening - Large or Small", 12:00 to 1:00, at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk, Kingsland AT credit for MG Saturday, April 16 - Molly Pikarsky, Retail Manager at Backbone Valley Nursery,“ Container Gardening ”,10:00 am 12:00 noon, (2 hr credit) at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980, Marble Falls AT for MG Thursday, April 21st - Highland Lakes Garden Club Flower Show at the Marble Falls Library. 1-4 PM Saturday, April 23 - “Crown Bees” ,, 10:00 am-12:00 noon (2 hr credit), at the Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980, Marble Falls AT for MG Friday - Sunday, April 22nd -24th - Friends of Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge present 2016 Songbird Festival. Click here for full information. Wednesday, April 27th - The Burnet Middle School is ready for their final 2016 Spring Plant Sale. You can get great plants at good prices and help out this great program at the same time. It will be 8 AM to 4 PM at their greenhouse. Go north on 281 past hwy 29 to 3rd street and turn right to about the third entrance marked "Food Service". Proceed right to the greenhouse. Lots of beautiful vegetables , hanging baskets, and plants. Great prices with some baskets and plants at clearance prices. Saturday, April 30th - Friends of Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge and The Lakes Photography Club present a "Photo Stroll" 9:30 A M- 11:30 A M at Doeskin Ranch, 10654 S FM 1174, Bertram, TX 78605. Saturday, April 30 - “Worm Composting Workshop”, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, (2 hr credit), at the Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980, Marble Falls. Hands on activity. AT for MG Every 24 hours between now and May 31st - Please vote for the Helping Center Garden to win $5,000 from Safer Products. Click on this link to vote. Please vote every 24 hours until May 31st. You don't have to sign up for anything. Look for the Helping Center about halfway down the first page. There is a lot of competition so we need your help. Thank you for helping. Saturday, May 7th - Opening of the Burnet Farmers Market each Saturday through November 19th at the Burnet Town Square 9 AM -1 PM. Click here for more information. Saturday, May 7th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present "Deer Resistant Plants". Program is at 10 AM at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MGWednesday, May 11th - Free Green Thumb Program - Beth Mortenson, Master Gardener, "The Wonders Of Plant Propagation", 2:30 to 3:30, at the Lakeshore Library, 7346 Hwy 261, Buchanan Dam. This is a free program however you must call the library at (325) 379-1174 to reserve your spot. AT credit for MG Saturday, May 14th - Backbone Valley Nursery will present "Staghorn Fern Workshop". Program is at 10 AM to Noon at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980. AT credit for MG Saturday, May 21st - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Jerry Stacy, Master Naturalist, will present "Edible Native Plants of the Texas Hill Country". AT credit for MG Thursday, June 2nd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Amy Sugeno, LCSW with “Forest Bathing - How Nature and Animals Improve Mental Health and Well-being". AT credit for MG Friday & Saturday, June 10th - 11th - Burnet County Area Fair at the Burnet Community Center. Great vendors and exhibits for your enjoyment. Enter your exhibits at the Fair. Don't miss the barbecue lunch for the 4-H. Click here for full information on the Area Fair. Thursday, September 1st - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. You can learn about “Fall Migrant Raptors of Texas,” from nationally known raptor and sparrow birder, Byron “Doc” Stone. Friday, September 9th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with Mary Kay Pope "Fall Vegetable Gardening" at 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. AT credit for MG Friday, September 9th - "Growing Olive Trees in Central Texas" with Joshua Swafford of Central Texas Olive Ranch of Georgetown. This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. ram. AT credit for MG Wednesday, September 14th - Free Green Thumb Program - Violet Carson, Master Gardener, "Fall Colors", 12:00 to 1:00, at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk, Kingsland. AT credit for MG Saturday, September 17th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with Mary Kay Pope "Fall Lawn Care" at 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. AT credit for MG Saturday, September 17th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. “Pollinators and Native Plants; Forever Intertwined”. Ricky Linex is our speaker. He is a wildlife biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He is the author of Range Plants of North Central Texas. AT credit for MG Saturday, September 24th - Celebrate National Public Lands Day at a trail work day at Doeskin Ranch at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 10654 FM 1164, Bertram,TX 78605 from 8 AM to 12:30 PM. Click here for full information. Monday, September 26th - Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society Book Discussion Group, 11:00 a.m., Marble Falls Library. Saturday, October 1st - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with Mary Kay Pope "African Violets " at 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Thursday, October 6th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Our speaker will be Bill Neiman, founder/owner of Native American Seeds in Junction. More info about the program and other club activities here. AT credit for MG Friday, October 7th - ''GROWING ARTICHOKES and GARDEN RECIPES" by ROSALYN LACKEY. This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 8th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program "Planting Wildflowers" with George Cates from Native American Seeds at 10:00 a.m., at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 8th - Celebrate Native Plant Week at the Burnet Farmers Market on the Burnet town square. Native plant information booth and plant sale open 9 to 1 with two free interesting speakers at 9:30 and 11:00 at the Burnet Library. Click here for full information. Programs approved for AT for MG and MN Wednesday, October 12th - Free Green Thumb Program - Violet Carson, Master Gardener, "Gardening - Questions and Answers", 12:00 to 1:00, at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk, Kingsland. Click here for more information on the Green Thumb program. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 15th - Celebrate Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge Week with many interesting programs covering photography, native plants, snakes, insects, birds and butterflies from 10 AM to 2 PM at the refuge. For full information, click here to learn about this fun and informational activity for the family. Saturday, October 29th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with Mary Kay Pope "Houseplants 101 + Transplanting Clinic" at 10:00 AM, at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 29th - The Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center Owl-Oh-Ween open house from 10 AM to 2 PM at Reveille Peak Ranch. It is free to all families and kids and there are about 20 fun learning stations to enjoy. Click here for complete information and directions. Thursday, November 3rd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Our speaker will be Greg Lasley, nationally known naturalist and photographer. More info about the program and other club activities here. AT credit for MN Friday, November 4th - Tour of Torr Na Lochs Winery - A truly Texas wine experience. This free tour is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the winery. The public is invited to join us at 1 PM to tour this beautiful winery. Go to https://www.torrnalochs.com for a preview and directions. AT credit for MG if you have not taken credit before. Saturday, November 5th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with Mary Kay Pope "Choosing Trees for Fall Color" at 10:00 AM, at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Thursday, November 10th - Highland Lakes Garden Club presents Master Gardener Beth Mortenson and her workshop on "The Wonders of Plant Propagation" at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main. Advance Training Credits are available for Master Gardeners. Beth will present a Power Point presentation and workshop with a hands-on project that can be taken home. Social at 1:00 and program at 1:30. There is no cost and the public is invited. Saturday, November 12th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free program with Mary Kay Pope "Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Proper Pruning" at 10:00 AM, at Backbone Valley Nursery. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, November 19th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Manon Shockey, M.S. will be speaking to the NPSOT group on how to harvest/rescue plants from their native environment to transplant to a landscape or container. She is Instructor and Manager at Horticulture Center at Tarleton University in Stephenville. Click here for more information. AT credit for MN and MG. Saturday, November 19th - Backbone Valley Nursery presents a free hands-on workshop with Molly Pikarsky "Make Your Own Color Bowls" at 10:00 AM, at Backbone Valley Nursery. Plants, pots, and supplies are priced à la carte, or feel free to bring in your own containers. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Thursday, December 1st - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Our speaker will be Bill Lindemann on the Christmas Bird Count. More info about the program and other club activities here. AT credit for MN Friday, December 9th - The Marble Falls High School horticulture program is hosting a plant sale 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the high school’s greenhouse, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls. Sale features winter vegetables, winter flowers, floral arrangements, and handmade soaps. Thursday, January, 5th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Our speaker will be Lisa O'Donnell. A native Texan, Lisa has lived in Texas most of her life and has devoted the major portion of her life-work as an Endangered Species Biologist to investigation of the ecological history of the Edwards Plateau and the Texas Hill Country. More info about the program and other club activities here. AT credit for MN and MG Wednesday, January 11th - "Tomatoes Year Round" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Saturday, January 21st - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Our speaker will be Steve Nelle. Steve is widely recognized for his gift of inspiring landowners to become thoughtful land stewards by developing a long term commitment to follow those management practices that best protect and enhance their property. Steve will talk about "The Great Grasslands Myth of the Texas Hill Country". He will explain what the historic vegetation of the Hill Country looked like based on numerous eyewitness accounts. The public is encouraged to attend. More info here. Approved for AT for MG and MN. Monday, January 23rd - Meeting of the Birding and Wildflower book club in the Marble Falls Library conference room at 11 AM. The discussion will be on Dragonflies. Click here for full information. Thursday, February, 2nd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society 10:00 AM at the Marble Falls Library. Our speaker will be Greg Lasley, nationally known naturalist and photographer. Greg will be presenting a program in February on "Damselflies and Dragonflies". More info about Greg and the program and other club activities here. AT credit for MN and MG Friday, February 3rd - "Butterflies in Your Backyard" with Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis. This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. AT credit for MG and MN hosted by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Click here for more information and registration. Registration is now full. Wednesday, February 8th - "Houseplants For Fresh Air" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, March 2nd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Meeting and public program at 10 AM. "Ornithology! Migrating birds, with special attention to the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo", our two Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge protected birds. Program speaker is Dr. Craig Farquhar, TPWD ornithologist extraordinaire. More info here. AT credit for MN and MGFriday, March 3rd - "Growing Tomatoes: From Germinating to Preserving" with Debbie Sapp - Program includes soil preparation, seed germination, hardening off, transplanting to the garden, maintenance and preserving. This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. AT credit for MG Every Saturday and one Sunday in March - Backbone Valley Nursery will present free gardening programs at the Nursery each Saturday in March. There is a Kids Tomato Workshop on Sunday, March 19th with a $15 charge for materials. All these programs are approved for AT credit for MG. Click here for full information on all the programs including February 25th. Wednesday, March 8th - "Gardening In Deer Country" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Saturday, March 18th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Falls on the Colorado Museum, 2001 Broadway, behind Marble Falls Elementary School. Our speaker will be photographer Marvin Bloomquist. He will present "The Digital Camera as a Tool for Flower and Wildlife Identification" The public is encouraged to attend. Click here for more info. Approved for AT for MN and MG. Thursday, March 23rd - The Burnet Middle School Plant Sale will be 8 AM to 4 PM on March 23rd. You can get great plants at good prices and help out this great program. Go north on 281 past hwy 29 to 3rd street and turn right to about the third entrance marked "Food Service". Proceed right to the greenhouse. Friday, March 24th - The Marble Falls High School Greenhouse Project is having a plant sale at their greenhouse from 8 AM to 4 PM. They will have a good selection of plants at good prices to help their program. The greenhouse is located directly behind the High School. Saturday, March 25th - Hill Country Lawn & Garden Show presented by the Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association at the Burnet Community Center from 9 AM to 3 PM. Check out the demonstrations and get all the plants you have been looking for and other interesting vendors. Don't forget the Native Plants Society Plant Sale. Click here for more information. Saturday, March 25th - Texas Bluebird Society 2017 Season Kickoff at Waco Convention Center, Waco Texas from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This annual kickoff promotes the conservation of bluebirds and teaches the public how to attract and provide quality habitat for bluebirds across Texas. Get complete information and registration at www.texasbluebirdsociety.org Monday, March 27th - Our next book group for HLBWS meets on Monday, March 27, at the Marble Falls Public Library conference room, 11:00 a.m. Click here for more information on the Birding and Wildflower webpage. Now thru April 15 - Get your application in for the Highland Lakes Master Gardener Scholarship Program for horticulture college students. Get full information here. Saturday , April 1st - Kingsland Garden Club Annual Plant Sale at the Kingsland House of Arts & Crafts Spring Sale behind Wells Fargo Bank on Chamberlain St. We will be on the East side. Get good home grown Hill Country plants at very reasonable prices. Come early for best selection. Open Saturday 10-4. Sunday 11:00 until sold out Saturday's in April - Backbone Valley Nursery will present free gardening workshops at the Nursery on Saturdays in April at 10 AM. Current topics are Rose, Hanging Basket, Staghorn Fern and Color Bowl workshops. Classes are free, materials are a la carte. Click here for the latest information on all the programs. All these programs are approved for AT for MG. Thursday April 6th - Meeting and program of the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Meeting and public program at 10 AM. Botanist Bill Carr's presentation will explore the relationship of surface geology to plant distribution, or more specifically, "The Botany of the Llano Uplift of Texas".Thursday - Sunday, April 7th - April 9th - Enjoy the many activities and vendors at the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival. Don't miss the free wildflower displays and other activities with the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society show at the Herman Brown Free Library on the Square on Friday from 2 to 5 and Saturday from 9 to 5. Wednesday, April 12th - "The Highs and Lows of Raised Beds including Keyhole Gardens". with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Friday - Sunday, April 21st-23rd - 17th Annual Balcones Songbird Festival, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Registration opens February 14, 2017. More information www.friendsofbalcones.org/festival Thursday, May 4th - Meeting of the Highland Lakes Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Meeting and public program at 10 AM. Enjoy birding experts Sherry Bixler and Joan Mukherjee speaking about their recent birding trip to The Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica. More information here and read about the freedom flights on Lake Buchanan. AT credit for MNThursday, May 4th - Burnet Middle School Greenhouse will have their final clearance plant sale on Thursday May 4th, 8 to 4 at their greenhouse. The greenhouse must be cleared out for the summer, so remaining plants are priced to sell - vegetables, plants, a few flowering plants and tomato hanging baskets. Thank you for supporting the greenhouse. Saturday, May 6th - Opening of the Burnet Farmers and Craft Market each Saturday through November 18th at the Burnet Town Square 9 AM -1 PM. Click here for more information Wednesday, May 10th - "Soil and How to Make It Better" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Saturday, May 20th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at 1:30 at the Marble Falls Library. Science illustrator Samantha Peters will present “Botanical Illustration: Why and How”. She is currently employed at the Dallas Zoo. AT credit for MN and MG More information about the Society here. Thursday, June 1st - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Photographer and expert birder Karen McBride will present a beautiful program on the Birds of Thailand from her recent trip. Bird Walk at 8:30. Meeting and public program at 10 AM. Saturday, June 3rd - You're invited to "A Festival in the Garden". Join the Master Gardeners in The Helping Center Garden From 9:00 AM Until 12:00 PM, 1315 Broadway, Marble Falls, TX. Click here for full information.Thursday, June 8, 2017 - MONARCH BUTTERFLY WORKSHOP 9 am - 4 pm Workshop Topics Include: Milkweed ecology, monarch biology and life cycle investigation, monarch migration & reasons for decline, citizen science, preferred native nectar plants, and in field monitoring. Presenters: Cathy Downs of Monarch Watch & Craig Hensley of TPWD - Bring your lunch - $70 General Admission, $50 Master Naturalist or Student AT for MG and MN. Click here for info and registration. Friday & Saturday, June 9th - 10th - Burnet County Area Fair at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St., Burnet, TX. Great vendors on Saturday and exhibits for your enjoyment. Enter your exhibits at the Fair. This is for all counties around Burnet County. Don't miss the barbecue lunch for the 4-H. Click here for full information on the Area Fair. Thursday, June 22nd - "Best Potting Soil Around" with Master Gardener Rosalyn Lackey in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 10:30 at the Burnet Library, 100 E. Washington, Burnet, TX. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, July 27th - "To Be Or Not To Be; Asexual Or Sexual" with Master Gardener Rosalyn Lackey in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 10:30 at the Burnet Library, 100 E. Washington, Burnet, TX. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Wednesday, August 9th - "Growing Sprouts and Microgreens for Health, A Hands on Lesson" with Master Gardener Amy Parke in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 2:30 at the Lakeshore Library, 7346 Hwy.261, Buchanan Dam, TX. This is a free program however you must call the library at (325) 379-1174 to reserve your spot. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, September 7th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. We will hear about all the ins and outs of the formation of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge from Valarie Bristol who was instrumental in guiding the process. She is also a highly entertaining and interesting speaker. More info about the program and other club activities here. Friday, September 8th - Charlie Flatten with the Hill Country Alliance will talk on "Water Conservation" This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. "The Mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi-county of Central Texas with the long term objective of preserving open spaces water supply, water quality, and the unique character of the Texas Hill Country." AT credit for MG Saturday, September 9th - It's hard to beat Fall Gardening. There is such a wide variety of vegetables we can grow in this area. Join Mary Kay Pope at Backbone Valley Nursery at 10:00 AM to learn everything you need to know about starting your Fall Garden now to enjoy fresh homegrown produce for months to come. Click here to get full information and directions. AT credit for MG Wednesday, September 13th - "Fall Colors" with Master Gardener Violet Carson in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, September 14th - The Highland Lakes Garden Club welcomes Dr. Don C. Elfving, Emeritus Professor of Horticulture, Washington State University, who will give a power point presentation at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main, about the apple, pear and sweet cherry industry in Washington State’s “cold desert”, its success due to the state’s unique physical location and the role of agricultural technology. Social begins at 1:00, program at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited. Please reserve your seat by calling Janice Cleavinger 830-598-1063. Saturday, September 16th - The next meeting of the Native Plant Society should be a fun one. We are going to meet at Betty Blackmond’s home in Whitewater Springs at 1 PM. She is going to share her gardens with us and talk about starting from scratch and how you need to use native or adaptive plants. AT credit for MG and MN. Click here for full information and directions. Saturday, September 23rd - Mary Kay Pope will present “Fall Lawn Care" 10:00-11:30 at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980, Marble Falls. AT for MG (1.5 Hrs.) Thursday, October 5th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. Bill Reiner, biologist who is a member of the team that monitors and manages the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Click for Club and program info here. AT credit for MN Friday, October 6th - Master Gardener Holli Beckwith will speak on "Culinary Herbs and Their Many Uses." Holli grows her own herbs which she uses in many of her chocolate recipes . This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on Holli and the Club. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 7th - Nothing says "Texas" like bluebonnets. Learn how to grow these and other wildflowers and attract native wildlife and butterflies in a free program at Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980, Marble Falls at 10 AM. AT credit for MG Saturday, October 7th - Native Plant Week Celebration 9 AM TO 1 PM - FALLS ON THE COLORADO MUSEUM MARBLE FALLS. This year’s Native Plant Week celebration will feature Dr. Alice LeDuc, Adjunct Professor of Horticulture at Texas State University. She has a Ph.D. in Botany from The University of Texas. She will speak at 10:30 a.m. on Propagation of Native Plants Using Seeds. Native Plant Sale and tour available. More information here. AT credit for MG and MN Thursday, November 2nd - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. Dr. Chuck Sexton will discuss Birding in the Corners of Texas. Click here for more information on the club and the program. AT credit for MN Thursday, November 9th - The Highland Lakes Garden Club meeting will feature a program on Oak Wilt presented by Clay Bales, CF AF CA/Texas A&M Forest Service, at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main. Bales has worked with the Texas A&M Forest Service for over 18 years and is currently handling the Oak Wilt and Land Stewardship for Travis and Hays Counties. Social begins at 1:00 and program starts at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to this free program, but reservations are requested. Contact Jennye Keys at 830-953-0404. AT credit for MG Saturday, November 18th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at the Marble Falls Library. Social at 1:00, program at 1:30. The speaker will be Park Interpreter and Naturalist Craig Hensley. He will be speaking on "Butterflies and Native Wildflowers: Making Connections". Read more about Craig, the program and the club here. AT for MN and MG Thursday, December 7th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Dr. Byron "Doc" Stone will present " WINTER SPARROW RESIDENTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY" Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. Click here for more information AT credit for MN Monday, January 1st - Friends of Balcones 3rd annual 1st day hike at Doeskin Ranch at 1:00 PM. A great way to start out the New Year. Click here http:friendsofbalcones.org/event-2750070 for full information, directions and registration. Thursday, January 4, 2018 - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. The January speaker is Steve Nelle. Widely recognized for his expertise in range management and wildlife biology. He will address the controversial issue of Ashe juniper (cedar) and how we need to understand Hill Country ecology. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. AT credit for MN and MG Friday, January 5th - Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis will present "Hill Country Wildflowers and More" This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information on the program. AT for MG Wednesday, January 10th - "Vegetables Year Round" with Kelly Tarla, Burnet County Extension Agent, in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, January 11th - The Highland Lakes Garden Club presents a program on Garden Therapy using Essential Oils by Dusti Elfving on Thursday, January 11th, at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main. Social at 1:00 p.m., program begins at 1:30. The public is invited. Call Jennye Keys at 830-953-0404 for more information. Saturday, January 20th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at the Marble Falls Library. Social at 1:00, program at 1:30. The speakers for this meeting are going to be Patsy and Tom Inglet, from the San Antonio area. Both are avid birders and Master Naturalists. They are both bird educators, outdoor classroom instructors and citizen scientists at Cibolo Nature Center. They will be speaking on “Native Plants and Native Birds: A Relationship Worth Nurturing.” AT credit for MG and MN Thursday, February 1st - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. Paul Yura, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NOAA, National Weather Service, will speak on "Extreme Weather in 2017, Will it Continue?" Check at the meeting for information on a field trip to the Weather Center. Click for more information. AT for MN and MG Friday, February 2nd - Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis will be presenting a new program "Drought Tolerant Plants And Sustainable Landscape Practices For Texas" . This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the Kingsland Library, 125 W. Polk. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, February 3rd - 14th Annual SparrowFest at the Flying X Ranch 6:00 AM to 6 PM. Click here for full information and registration. AT for MN Wednesday, February 7th - "Rain Water Collections" with Retired Extension Agent Wade Hibler in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, February 8th - The Highland Lakes Garden Club presents a program discussing buying, planting and pruning roses in our area with Sherie Clarkson at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main. Social at 1:00 p.m., program begins at 1:30. The public is invited. Call Jennye Keys at 830-953-0404 for more information. AT credit for MG Friday-Saturday, February 9th-10th - Saturday, February 17th - T he Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center is offering talks approximately every other Saturday at Numinous Coffee Roasters in Marble Falls. It is located on RM 1431 one block east of US 281 on the north side. The discussion for this day is tiny invasives - not just zebra mussels and fire ants, now it's Invasive Tropical Pathogens with Dr. Jungking. These are not presentations but casual discussion tables for visitors to stop and get info and ask questions. They will be there between 9 and noon so please drop by. Thursday, March 1st - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. The March speaker is photographer Greg Lasley . This will be a very beautiful and informative program. Click for Club info and more information on Greg Lasley. Friday, March 2nd- Dr. Stuart Nunnally will present "Healthy Garden, Healthy Food, Healthy Body". This free program is presented by the Kingsland Garden Club at the First Baptist Church, 3435 Highway 1431, in Kingsland (near the Kingsland Community Center) because of the election. The public is invited to the program which starts at 1:30. Everyone is invited to the Club meeting at 1 PM. Click here for more information. AT credit for MG Saturday, March 3rd - T he Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center is offering talks approximately every other Saturday at Numinous Coffee Roasters in Marble Falls. It is located on RM 1431 one block east of US 281 on the north side. The discussion for this day is Native Peoples - Sacred Gardens, Sacred Plants. These are not presentations but casual discussion tables for visitors to stop and get info and ask questions. They will be there between 9 and noon so please drop by. Wednesday, March 7th - "Composting Made Easy" with Master Gardener Willard Horn in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Kingsland Library, 125 W Polk. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, March 8th - The Highland Lakes Garden Club meeting will feature Social begins at 1:00 and program starts at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to this free program, but reservations are requested. Contact Jennye Keys at 830-953-0404 AT credit for MG Saturday, March 17th - T he Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center is offering talks approximately every other Saturday at Numinous Coffee Roasters in Marble Falls. It is located on RM 1431 one block east of US 281 on the north side. The discussion for this day is "Predators of the Hill Country - with beak and tooth, fang and claw, mandible and jaw". These are not presentations but casual discussion tables for visitors to stop and get info and ask questions. They will be there between 9 and noon so please drop by. Saturday, March 17th - Meeting of the Native Plant Society at the Marble Falls Libra ry. Social at 1:00, program at 1:30. The speaker will be Bob Mione, Meadow Nature Preserve Manager, The Meadow Nature Preserve is part of the Connemara Conservancy, and is located near Allen, TX (Dallas area). He will talk about restoration efforts at the Meadow Nature Preserve. Click here for more information. AT for MG and MN Thursday, March 22nd - The Burnet Middle School is ready for their Annual Plant Sale. You can get great plants at good prices and help out this great program at the same time. It will be 9 AM to 4 PM at their greenhouse. Go north on 281 past hwy 29 to 3rd street and turn right to about the third entrance marked "Food Service". Proceed right to the greenhouse. Lots of beautiful vegetables , hanging baskets, and plants. Saturday, March 24th - Saturdays in February and March - Saturday, March 31st - This is the morning for the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast and the Kingsland Garden Club Annual Plant Sale at the Kingsland Community Center (7 AM to noon), 3451 Rose Hill, in Kingsland, just past the First Baptist Church on RM 1431. Come have a good time and help the Lion's charities and get some good home-grown plants at great prices. They will be serving from 7 AM to 11 AM. We hope to see everyone there. Thursday, April 5th - Meeting of the Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Library. Bird walk at 8:30, Social at 9:30, Meeting and Program at 10:00. Click here for complete information on the speaker and this interesting program. AT for MG and MN Saturday, April 7th - T he Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center is offering talks approximately every other Saturday at Numinous Coffee Roasters in Marble Falls. It is located on RM 1431 one block east of US 281 on the north side. The discussion for this day is "Native Peoples - how they lived, survived and lessons they can teach us". These are not presentations but casual discussion tables for visitors to stop and get info and ask questions. They will be there between 9 and noon so please drop by. Wednesday, April 11th - "Trees of Texas and Landscaping" with Burnet County Extension Agent Kelly Tarla in a free Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at 12 noon at the Lakeshore Library, 7346 Hwy 261, Buchanan Dam. Click here for the Green Thumb Page. AT credit for MG Thursday, April 12th - The Burnet Middle School will be having a plant sale at the school greenhouse. You can get great plants at good prices and help out this great program at the same time. It will be 8 AM to 4:30 PM at their greenhouse. Go north on 281 past hwy 29 to 3rd street and turn right to about t he third entrance marked "Food Service". Proceed right to the greenhouse. Lots of beautiful vegetables and plants. Friday afternoon and Saturday all day, April 13-14, 2018 - HLBWS participates in the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival with a beautiful and informative free wildflower exhibit at the Burnet Library. The Birding and Wildflower Society will host the show in the meeting room of the Burnet Herman Brown Library. It is open to the public Friday, April 13, 2:00-5:00 and Saturday, April 14, 9:00-5:00. The Festival is open on Sunday but you can only see the wildflower exhibit on Friday and Saturday. Friday - Sunday, April 27th-29th - The Balcones Songbird Festival is a celebration of nature through a collection of interpretive events to experience both birds and their habitat. Click here for more info and registration information. Saturday, April 28th - T |