● They are drought tolerant. Native plants require far less irrigation, survive in hot temperatures, can be a source of food and shelter for wildlife.

● They reduce rapid runoff. With deep root systems, native grasses and wildflowers help slow down water. This leads for more time for water to soak into the soil, which in turn provides recharge to the aquifer instead of washing sediment and soil into streams and riverbeds. DYK? It can take well over 100+ years to create 1 inch of soil!

● They support biodiversity. Native plants provide essential habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, strengthening the local ecosystem and encouraging natural balance.

One of the best ways to experience the value of native plants is to see them in action, and there’s no better place to do that than at the EAA’s Education Outreach Center.

Our native plant demonstration garden is more than just a beautifully landscaped space; it’s a living classroom. Designed with aquifer sustainability in mind, the garden features a wide variety of Texas-native species that showcase how native landscaping can be both practical and inspiring.

Visitors to the EOC can:

● Explore native plant groupings that demonstrate water-wise gardening techniques

● Identify species that are ideal for home landscapes and pollinator support

● Observe the comparison between native grasses and invasive grass species

Even if you’re not a gardener or environmentalist, there’s something in this for you. Planting native doesn’t have to mean overhauling your entire yard. It can start small, with a few native wildflowers in a pot or opt to replace a thirsty patch of grass with drought-tolerant groundcover.

Here’s what you get in return:

● Lower water bills due to less irrigation

● Less yard maintenance

● A garden that thrives without chemicals

● Pride in knowing you’re protecting your water source and helping create a Texas native landscape

Native Plant Demonstration Garden

● Texas sage: a hardy shrub with purple blooms that loves the sun and dry soil

● Little bluestem: a native grass that feeds the aquifer by drawing rainwater down to percolate deep into the ground

● Blackfoot daisy: a tough little flower with a delicate look, perfect for pollinators and rocky soils

Texas Native Plant Week is a great time to take a walk through a local native plant garden, visit a nature center, or start a native plant project of your own. Better yet, bring your family or neighbors along. The more we learn together, the more we can protect what matters.

Because when you plant native, you’re not just gardening, you’re participating in the stewardship of a living ecosystem. You’re helping to ensure that the Edwards Aquifer, and everything it sustains, continues to thrive.

Plan your visit to the EAA’s Education Outreach Center! Located at Morgan’s Wonderland Camp, our center is open to group tours and school visits by appointment. Learn more at www.edwardsaquifer.org.

Let’s grow a future that respects our roots and protects our water.