The Lost Pines chapter serves primarily Bastrop and Caldwell counties of Central Texas (click here to find a statewide list of chapters). These counties are predominantly in the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie Ecoregions. In addition, our area includes the unique “island forest” of the Lost Pines, the westernmost extent of the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), separated by about 100 miles from the pine forests of East Texas. Species in the Lost Pines are particularly adapted to the drier conditions here, and provide unique habitat for varied flora and fauna that can be seen in Bastrop and Buescher state parks and other nearby natural areas. You can learn more about what makes these parks so special and see pictures of them by visiting our “State Parks & Natural Areas” page; you can also find many links to information about the native plants, animals and ecology of the Lost Pines region on our resources page.
- Diving in with Aquatic Macroinvertebrates!
Are you curious about the world beneath the water’s surface? We will be exploring the world of aquatic macroinvertebrates– from amazing adaptations to their role in water quality assessment, and the wealth of resources you can use to teach others about these unique critters. Zoom meeting open to the public: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83610216193 - Back Roads Nature–Garner State Park
All these years later it could be traced back to one place in the Texas Hill Country. She was from Houston, he was from Kingsville, but they somehow found themselves together on the dance pavilion at Garner State Park. She was slight and attractive—as fine boned as an elegant finch. He was lanky and tanned… Read More → - Become a Master Naturalist
To learn how to become a certified Master Naturalist please contact us at https://txmn.org/lostpines/ Scholarships available. Contact training@lostpinesmasternaturalist.org - Flora and Festivals
There are many festivities around the world that have plants as part of the traditions. Can you name some? How many of you remember walking through your elementary school hallways and learning which holidays were approaching only by the colors on the bulletin boards? The teachers would decorate with orange and black in October, red… Read More → - Twinkle
I feel like Aladdin calling on the Magic Lamp as I walk along the banks of the Colorado River—miracles almost always happen! Recently I stumbled upon a Texas treasure. On any other occasion, he would have been invisible on the ground—melted into the permanent background of grasses, rocks, and sunlight. But on this day, among… Read More → - Making Friends
For me, plants are like people at the mall. As the multitudes shuffle by, I accept them only in the most general way; they share my space, but I have no idea who they are as individuals. At Bastrop State Park, I often pass by a dominant stand of bracken ferns while walking my dog—without… Read More →