OUR MISSION:
1) Preserve and manage San Antonio’s Natural Areas to protect natural ecosystems,
2) Promote inclusive and transformative relationships between people and natural systems.
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San Antonio Natural Areas
Talk About Bugs...
Mistflower, or Eupatorium cœlestinum Mistflower - Food to Go Mistflowers are some of the best plants for attracting butterflies. They mainly bloom in fall when Monarch butterflies are migrating back to Mexico. Easily grown in sun or shade, no butterfly garden should be without them. "Blue Mistflower" and "Gregg Mistflower" have lavender flowers and grow to a height of 1 to 3 feet. They have spreading growth so give them plenty of room. I have observed Queen butterflies on my Greg Mistflower that stayed on the plants from sunup to sundown. They are so busy sipping nectar that it is easy to approach and take photos. "White Mistflower", Eupatorium havanense, is a woody shrub growing to four feet. Trim the shrubs by one-third in mid-summer for bushy growth and more flowers. The fragrant white flowers attract numerous species of butterflies - large and small. It is fun to try and count just how many butterflies are visiting the flowers.
Learn more about butterflies - Got Rocks?
Yes we do! Our Natural Area Parks & the Hill Country have very interesting geology with an important relationship with our water source, the Edwards Aquifer. Dr. George Veni provides information on our geology in the series, "Geology of Friedrich Park". Fall Color!
Yes, but don't touch! This is Poison Ivy or Toxicodendron radicans. Remember, "Leaves of three, let it be." |
EVENTS & EDUCATION December 13, 2008
Texas Mammals
Eisenhower Park 19399 NW Military Hwy. 10:00 am - noon
San Antonio is rich with diversity, and the wildlife knows it! Join wildlife biologist Richard Heilbrun as we explore the wild animals that call San Antonio home. For information on this program, seeTexas Mammals! December 13, 2008 Stargazing
Join San Antonio Astronomical Society to learn about our winter skies.See Stargazingfor more info. The Mystery of the
This rare, annual treasure, also known as the bracted twistflower and the bracted jewelflower (Streptanthus bracteatus), remains a mystery in many ways. Read more about this plant in the article by Jayne Neal, The Mystery of the Bracted Twistflower
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FLORA & FAUNA Texas Rat Snake
The recent showers seemed to have stirred up wildlife and given the natural world a resurgence of life it desperately needed. Rat snakes, including the Great Plains and Texas Rat Snakes, are starting to make their appearance near buildings and out in the field. The Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe obsolete lindheimerii) is a common snake that is likely to be encountered in backyards across the area. This snake can be intimidating by its size, behavior, and appearance. When agitated or cornered, this snake can move the tip of its tail rapidly in leaf litter or debris to make a rattle-like sound. Many non-venomous snakes will display this behavior to sound more intimidating. Of course rat snakes are not venomous and play an important role as predators in a natural ecosystem.
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion (also known as puma, cougar and by other names) is a native animal of Bexar County. They have always been here and continue to survive in reduced numbers. As our communities expand and wild areas become more rare, these large cats are being forced into areas they would not normally inhabit. The Natural Areas are nature preserves. Our goal is to preserve the natural landscape and its native flora and fauna, including mountain lions. However, human safety comes first. For your protection we are providing this information. Please review the Texas Parks and Wildlife's |
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design by woodland company | sponsored by Friends of Friedrich Park |
San Antonio Natural Areas |
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