Texas Honors Native Plant Month

During October, the Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) at Quinta Mazatlan is celebrating native plants, planning educational events, hosting the annual Planta Nativa Social, providing Native Plant Sales, holding a Native Plant Giveaway for schools & families, and planting a Tiny Forest at the McAllen Library to create habitat for birds, butterflies, and all wildlife.

The Rio Grande Valley is home to more than 1,200 native plants that provide habitat for our wildlife. Colleen Hook, Executive Director of Quinta Mazatlan, shares, “Native plants provide economic benefits for cities by helping to grow the business of ecotourism—encouraging visitors from around the world to visit our beautiful region.” Hook continues, “Nature also benefits our mental health, making us happier and healthier.”

Attend the many October programs at Quinta Mazatlan! Thursday Night Live features Plants of the RGV by John Brush, Foraging & Ethnobotany by Catarina Miranda, and Plants for Wildlife by the RGV Pollinator Project. Saturdays feature Garden Tours in the morning, and STEM Stops for Kids throughout the day.

Join us for Planta Nativa Social on Thursday, October 24th, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, $7 per person online. Stroll the grounds and visit the marketplace, native plant sale & giveaway, educational booths, student research papers, live music, food, and spirits. The 2024 Keynote features five leaders “growing solutions” for people and wildlife. Meet Joey Santore, YouTube Botany Star, Christine Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects; Bill Green of Texas A&M Forest Service; Mylen Arias of American Forests; and John Brush the McAllen Urban Ecologist at Quinta Mazatlan.

October is a great month for gardening as the days are cooler. Connect and learn about native plants this month by planting a native garden, attending an event, getting inspired by speakers, and taking the family for a walk in the woods at Quinta Mazatlan. Tickets for programs and events can be purchased online at quintamazatlanticketleap.com. For more information, contact (956) 681-3370 and follow Quinta Mazatlán on social media.