Plant identification
- INaturalist.org – think of it as Pokemon for nature! The app is very good and contributes to scientific studies.
- NPSOT plant database- https://www.npsot.org/resources/native-plants/native-plants-database/
- Wildflower Center database https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true
- Books – both Native American Seed and NPSOT have a great selection. Also try the library!
City of Austin programs
including a plant guide(that includes some non-natives), and guides to build rain gardens or replace lawn with native. There are rebates for some project https://www.austintexas.gov/department/grow-green
Organizations
- Native Plant Society – https://www.npsot.org/ . Austin chapter has monthly meetings in West Austin. Also has a series of classes.
- Wildflower Center – https://www.wildflower.org/ Learn to identify plants by walking through! Volunteer opportunities. Shop has great books. Great to visit with family! Of course plant sales.
- TreeFolks – https://www.treefolks.org/ FREE trees given away in the fall/spring. Volunteer opportunities including seed collection. Tree walks help you learn to identify trees.
- Invasives – https://texasinvasives.org/plant_database/
- National Wildlife Federation – will tell you how many butterfly and moth and birds like a plant https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/
- Homegrown National Park – national focus encouraging homeowners to go native. https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
- Central Texas Seed Savers – https://www.centexseedsavers.org/ Do various events, help with seed libraries at the Austin Public Library
- Central Texas Mycology – https://www.centraltexasmycology.org/ Do tons of events including mushroom finding, foraging, but also recycling spent mushroom blocks for composting.
- Capital Area Master Naturalists- meetings are open to anyone and their calendar has volunteer events
- Hancock Native Plant Swap – https://www.facebook.com/NativePlantSwap/
Nurseries and Seed Sellers
- Greensleeves Pflugerville. Keep natives in a separate area, grow most of their own. https://www.greensleevesnursery.com/
- Barton Springs Nursery https://bartonspringsnursery.com/
- The Natural Gardener
- https://hillcountrywatergardens.com/
- H-E-B has a selection of natives, especially certain times of the year- partnership with NPSOT
- Native American Seed Co. –https://seedsource.com/ great for wildflowers and grasses. Their catalog which they will send to you for free, is fun and educational
- Wildflower Center sales Spring and Fall
Social Media recommendations
- Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t – has some great episodes in Central Texas, but also other places around Texas and the world https://www.instagram.com/stories/crime_pays_but_botany_doesnt/
- Central Texas Gardener https://www.youtube.com/@CentralTexasGardener
- NPSOT Austin group https://www.facebook.com/groups/npsotaustin
