What do monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, and healthy rivers have in common? They all depend on native plants. As Texas Native Plant Week shines a spotlight on the thousands of plant species that call our state home, the River Authority celebrates the important connections between native plants, pollinators, and healthy watersheds. From hands-on family activities to community-wide conservation education, here’s how we joined our partners in honoring the plants that help Texas thrive.
The River Authority’s Education and Engagement Team was thrilled to participate in Blooming with Birdie’s Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival on October 3rd! We look forward to this fun annual event as an opportunity to connect with families and share how keeping our land and water clean helps support healthy pollinator habitats. This year was no exception!
Since the theme of this year’s festival focused on water and bees, we brought materials for festival attendees to create their own bee spa at home. What’s a bee spa, you ask? Imagine being a thirsty bee buzzing around after a long day of pollinating. You come across a large puddle, but the water is too deep to be safe. Nearby, you spot a shallow pool teeming with mosquito larvae. Not exactly an ideal place to stop for a drink! Finally, you find the perfect spot: a shallow dish filled with rocks and just enough water to cover the surface. You’ve found a bee spa, where you can safely quench your thirst!
Festival attendees also enjoyed interactive demonstrations and conversations around our watershed model, which illustrated the important connection between land and water. Meanwhile, our trusty Litterbugs roamed the festival grounds, posing for selfies with excited families and inspiring conversations about ways to keep our habitats clean and healthy.
To top it all off, more than 300 festival attendees pledged to protect our pollinators with a high five for the hive! We had a wonderful time connecting with our community and sharing ways everyone can make a difference. We’re already looking forward to participating in another successful festival in 2027!
The following weekend, the River Authority was proud to sponsor the Pollinator Tea Party, hosted by our partners at the San Antonio River Foundation at Confluence Park. The family-friendly event brought the community together for an evening of environmental education, nature-inspired activities, art, and exploration, all centered on celebrating the vital role pollinators play in healthy ecosystems.
Guests enjoyed the Pollinator Prowl scavenger hunt, Critter Café, Mushroom Trail, Bug Hotel Mini Art Museum, and community partner exhibits while discovering the connections between pollinators, native plants, and the environment. Many participants may have also spotted River Authority staff at the Bee Dance and Hummingbird Game stations as they worked their way through the scavenger hunt.
Events like the Pollinator Tea Party reflect the River Authority’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. By helping residents connect with nature and learn about the species that support healthy habitats, we can inspire actions that benefit the rivers, creeks, and natural resources we all depend on.
Thank you to the San Antonio River Foundation, the River Warrior volunteers, community partners and volunteers, vendors, and everyone who joined us for a memorable evening celebrating pollinators and the wild little wonders that connect us all.
Celebrate Native Plant Week and Help Support Pollinators!
Creating a pollinator garden in your backyard or outdoor space is one of the most beautiful ways Texas residents can support pollinators as they migrate through our region. Native plants not only showcase the natural beauty of South Texas with their vibrant blooms, but they also provide essential nectar and habitat for migrating butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects. Check out these pollinator favorites!
- Gregg’s mistflower is famous for attracting clouds of queen and monarch butterflies.
- Flame acanthus serves as a favorite stop for hummingbirds seeking energy along their journey.
- Texas lantana, Blackfoot daisy, and Engelmann daisy draw a variety of butterflies and native bees.
- Texas sage offers valuable nectar for pollinators throughout the season.
By filling your landscape with native plants, you can create a stunning backyard oasis that helps sustain wildlife, supports migration routes, and keeps Texas buzzing, fluttering, and blooming with life.
South Texas Native Plant Resources
Identifying your plants
- iNaturalist
- USDA Native Pollinator Plants of South Texas Guide
- Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center – Plant Database
Practical management applications for your yard/property
- River Authority Blog: Best Plants for Birds
- SAWS Garden Style: Learn which xeriscape plants are native and non-native in this resource.
- AgriLife Extension Landscaping Education
Learn from the community of native/nature lovers.
- Native Plant Society of Texas
- Texas Master Naturalist Program – Alamo Area Chapter
- Native Prairie Association of Texas
- Texas Butterfly Ranch
Native Plant Nursery/Seed Sources
