native plants, Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen, environment, education, community
Staff Report
McAllen TX - Quinta Mazatlán is celebrating Native Plant Month this October with educational programs, community partners and a featured evening event highlighting the region’s native plant heritage.
The month’s signature event, Planta Nativa VIP Night, will take place Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Quinta Mazatlán, with a keynote presentation beginning at 7:30 p.m.
This year’s keynote speaker is Cyrus Harp, a foraging instructor, ethnobiology researcher and Paleolithic technology expert known for his work with Paleo Foraging on YouTube and social media. Harp has spent decades researching how people historically used native plants for food and other purposes and how many of those plants can still be used today. He is also the author of “Native Food Plants of Texas” and will have copies available for purchase and signing during the event.
In addition to the keynote, Planta Nativa VIP Night will feature native plant sales, food and beverage vendors and a small marketplace. Community partners on hand will include The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, American Forests, Texas A&M Forest Service, the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Native Plant Project.
Throughout October, visitors can participate in a variety of educational programs, including the weekly Walk With A Naturalist, Forest Tots, a Thursday evening speaker series and Saturday STEM Stops. Attendees will also have opportunities to explore research posters, participate in a taproot demonstration and receive native seed giveaways.
Tickets for Planta Nativa VIP Night are $7 and are available online through Ticketleap at events.ticketleap.com/events/quintamazatlan or at the gate. More information is available at quintamazatlan.com.
Source - Quinta Mazatlán, City of McAllen