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Flower Identification

Activity

Identify some plants

Explore the plants around the Wildflower Center and try to identify them. If you’re having difficulty, use the apps iNaturalist or FlowerChecker. There are over 91,904 plants at the Wildflower Center! Identify at least 5 plants that are new to you. Some plants found in this area include, horseherb, inland sea oats, Turks cap, and river sedge. As you explore the garden, you can find more information on each plant in the Native Plants of North America database.

Cathy's copy of Wildflower Center PEEP - 83

Cathy's copy of Wildflower Center PEEP - 82

Science Seed

Native plants are very important to our ecosystems because they are adapted to local environments. These adaptations help them require only the appropriate amount of water for their area’s rainfall, and they provide suitable habitats for native species like birds, insects, and more.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Ecologist School Web Guide: Wildflower Center Edition

This is a collaborative project between Families in Nature and The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to help our community learn more about the ecosystem and history of the Wildflower Center, while getting outside into nature together! This collection has 64 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn and volunteer in the park!

Each branch of science corresponds with a matching badge featured in the top right corner of every activity. Complete all 4 activities in a science slice and you are eligible to earn that badge. Click above to order your own Ecologist School badges!

Circle of Sciences

Our hands-on activities span across 16 different branches of science! Each Science Slice is broken into 8 learning categories: S.T.E.A.M., Volunteerism, Outdoor Skills and Leadership Development. Our activities are designed to be enjoyed by all ages.

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes. We carry out our mission to inspire the conservation of native plants through our gardens, research, education, and outreach programs. In doing so, we improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance human health and happiness. In 2017, we were officially designated the Botanic Garden of Texas.