Allen Public Library Native Gardens

Overview: Allen Public Library Native Plant Beds (In Coordination with NPSOT Collin County and the City of Allen)

Project Goal:

To inspire the citizens of Allen to appreciate and engage with native Texas plants by establishing and maintaining a vibrant Blackland Prairie native plant bed at the Allen Public Library. This project offers volunteers a meaningful opportunity to help create a beautiful, educational, and sustainable landscape that benefits both the community and local wildlife.

• Schedule: Dates and times vary (See the VHAT Calendar for the current month’s schedule).
• Hosts: Olivia Rodriguez & Ashley Westerfeld
• Locations: Native landscaping beds are located on the far East side of the Allen Public Library near the East parking lot.

Quick Volunteer Guide

• Common Tasks: Invasive species removal (such as Nandina), planting, pulling unwanted plants
• What to Wear: For safety, we suggest wearing sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves.
• What to Bring:
  • Gear: Work gloves and sun protection.
  • Tools: Root Slayer shovels, gardening shovels, trowels, Hori-Hori knife, pruning shears
  • Personal Care: Water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

VMS Logging & Registration

• Log Opportunity: BPTMN: Garden, Trail and Wildscape Maintenance (put location in comments): Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists
• Log Description: You must enter the specific Location (e.g., “Allen Public Library Native Plant Beds”) and a summary of the work done (e.g., “Removed invasive nandina and prepped bed for planting”).
• Volunteer Contact: Olivia Rodriguez ([email protected]).