AT22-126 Interpretive Hike: Plants, Geology & History of Lost Maples

Event Title: AT22-126 Interpretive Hike: Plants, Geology & History of Lost Maples

VMS-AT: AT: Hill Country Chapter Other Approved Training (Enter AT#, Class Title as posted, Location, and Presenter)

Comments: AT22-126 Interpretive Hike: Plants, Geology & History of Lost Maples, Vanderpool, Presenters: Greg Walton and Lee Hale
(AT=3h)

Event Date: 4/21/2022
Event Time: 10:00a-1:00p

Event Summary:
Learn about Lost Maples State Park.

Event Description:
**This event is for 2022 New Class students only**

Two guides will lead separate groups through Lost Maples State Natural Area for a 3-hour total hike. One hike will concentrate on
the plants. Bigtooth Maples are abundant in the area, as well as eight varieties of fern, willow and sapberry, pecan and sycamore,
six varieties of milkweed, eleven varieties of sedge and forty-five varieties of compositae (sunflower family). We’ll talk about them
and why they are abundant here. As well as the busy fall season when the park is crowded with visitors to look at the fall foliage.
The second hike will focus on the Geology and History of Lost Maples. HISTORY: Purchased from private owners in 1973 and 1974,
the site opened on Sept. 1, 1979. The state purchased an additional 603 acres in 2009, bring the total acreage of the natural area to
2,900. Evidence shows that prehistoric peoples used this area at various times. The Spanish began exploring and colonizing around
here in the late 17th century. Beginning in the mid-1800s, the land was used for ranching. Apache, Lipan Apache and Comanche
Indians ranged over the land. They posed a threat to settlement well into the 19th century. GEOLOGY: The Sabinal River and its
several tributaries have carved limestone canyons through the nearly 3,000-acre park straddling Bandera and Real counties at the
western fringes of the Edwards Plateau. Here, the canyons’ moist, cool microclimates support a remarkable diversity of plant life
found few other places in Texas.

Cost: Free

Registration is not necessary. **This event is for 2022 New Class students only**

Event Location:
Lost Maples State Natural Area
37221 FM 187
Vanderpool, Texas

Instructor/Presenter:
Greg Walton and Lee Hale

Contact Information:
newclassdirector@hillcountrytmn.org

Organization Website:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples

Sponsoring Organization:
Texas Master Naturalist, Hill Country Chapter