September 16, 2020

Joe Stinebaker
Communications Director
(O) 832-927-4479
(C) 713-503-2610
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
Mercer Botanic Gardens October 2020 Calendar
Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, Virtual Pollinator Festival & Plant Sale, Celebrate Bats, and More!

Texas Pollinator BioBlitz
Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 18
The Texas Pollinator BioBlitz is an annual, statewide effort to increase awareness of Texas pollinators including many species of butterflies, moths, bees, and more. Texans of all ages are encouraged to venture outdoors at Mercer Botanic Gardens and participate in the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz Friday, Oct. 2, to Sunday, Oct. 18, to find pollinators and nectar-producing plants, and then share observations by posting photos or videos to Facebook, Instagram, or iNaturalist using #TXpollinators and #MercerBotanicGardens. While at Mercer, be sure to stop by the porch of the Visitor Center to pick up a copy of the Bountiful Butterflies brochure, which highlights 12 butterflies in adult and larval stages, and numerous host and nectar plants perfect for a butterfly garden. For additional fun, BioBlitz participants can visit Mercer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/MercerBotanicGardens/events/ for pollinator observation challenges.
 
Virtual Pollinator Festival & Plant Sale
Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mercer’s third annual Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale is going virtual. Begin your online pollinator festivities with The Mercer Society’s Pollinator Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pollinator nectar and host plants, including plenty of Texas native plants such as coneflowers, milkweed, and passionflowers, will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Mercer Botanic Gardens. An online preview of all available plants will begin the week before the sale. Shop the virtual sale at: themercersociety.square.site. Celebrate the autumn season with Mercer’s festively fun Scarecrow Display Contest. Vote online for your favorite scarecrow display during the festival through Friday, Oct. 16. Enjoy a wide variety of pollinator-themed presentations, downloadable how-to articles, and children’s activities throughout the event. Recorded, online presentations include topics such as pollinator photography and Texas native bees. The Virtual Pollinator Festival lineup and access to all virtual festival fun will be posted on Mercer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/MercerBotanicGardens/events/. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
 
Music in the Gardens
Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10:30 a.m. for ages 2 to 3
Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10:30 a.m. for ages 4 to 5
Join us for Music in the Gardens, in which children partner with their parents and experience rhythm and music principles in natural outdoor settings throughout the garden. Classes use Kindermusik curriculum’s songs, instruments, and movement to inspire creativity, confidence, and music appreciation in children while building unique bonds with their parents. This free, family-friendly event is outdoors, so participants should dress for the weather. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring your own water bottle. Meet at Mercer’s East Side Main Garden. Registration is required, as space is limited. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
 
Mercer Botanic Gardens Blood Drive
Thursday, Oct. 8, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Donate blood. It’s simple. It’s safe. Your donation stays local and helps those in need in our community. Mercer Botanic Gardens is partnering with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to host a local blood drive. Appointments are required. Schedule your appointment through the donor sign-up link posted on Mercer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/MercerBotanicGardens/events/. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
 
Virtual Lunch Bunch: Fabulous Figs!
Wednesday, Oct. 14, at noon
Celebrate regional fig culture with Brazoria County AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff. During this virtual presentation, Stephen will speak on the local and global history of figs, provide tips for tree management, and recommend varieties for home production. This month’s Lunch Bunch is a recorded, online presentation. A link for Fabulous Figs will be posted on Mercer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/MercerBotanicGardens/events/ on the day of the event. No registration required. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
 
Celebrate Bats!
Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Kick-off Bat Week with a family-friendly celebration of bats at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Explore a replica of the oldest known bat fossil in the world, marvel at the intricacies of a real bat skeleton, listen to chirping bat echoes, take home bat-themed kids’ crafts, and more. Complete your morning with a walk through the gardens to find plants that are visited by bats in their native habitats. Registration is required, as space is limited. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
 
Ongoing Events
 
Mercer Botanic Gardens Bird Survey
Fourth Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Mercer’s gardens and miles of winding riparian forest trails along the Cypress Creek flyway are an ideal place to birdwatch. Led by longtime birder Paul Gregg and Mercer staff member Christy Jones, this monthly bird survey is suited for birders of all levels and experience. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, as Mercer’s 1.7-mile survey loop is primarily crushed asphalt trails. Participants must be 12 or older. Meet in front of the Visitor Center at Mercer’s East Side Main Gardens. Bring binoculars, a bird identification guide, water, and insect repellent. Registration is required, as space is limited. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
 
Garden Tours
Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m.
Stroll through the gardens with a garden docent or staff member to look for seasonal color, perennial favorites, and more. Tours are scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday mornings and can begin as early as 8:30 a.m. Guided tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Volunteer opportunities also are available. Call 713-274-4160 to schedule or sign up to volunteer.
 
Northside Horticultural Propagation Center
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon
Join a plant committee and grow plants year-round for events and sales or help with various projects from propagation to irrigation. Contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 for more information.
 
Gardening in the Tropical Garden
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join a Mercer horticulturist in the Tropical Garden to work with palms, plumerias, bamboo, and special collections. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and water. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Please contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 to schedule a visit.
 
Gardening in the Native Garden
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join a Mercer horticulturalist for planting, grooming, pruning, weeding, and mulching in the Native Garden. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and water. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Please contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 to schedule a visit.
 
Gardening in the Children’s and Vegetable Gardens
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join a Mercer staff member to plant new plants, sow seeds, thin and harvest vegetables, and weed garden beds in the Children’s Garden and Vegetable Garden. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and water. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Please contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 to schedule a visit.
 
Tai Chi
Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Join volunteer John Spencer for this one-hour beginner class offered at Mercer’s East Side Gardens. Tai Chi class locations may vary each week. Call 713-274-4160 for more information or to check for cancellations due to weather or holidays.
 
Storytime in the Gardens
Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
In partnership with the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library, Mercer Botanic Gardens invites parents and children to enjoy story time in the natural setting of the garden. Story time garden locations may vary each week. Registration is required, as space is limited. Recommended for children 2 to 5. Call 713-274-4160 for the location or to check for cancellations due to weather or holidays. Volunteer opportunities are available.
 
Mercer Ambassadors
Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon and noon to 2 p.m.
Ambassadors welcome visitors to Mercer and provide information about the gardens, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and more. Those who enjoy visiting with guests are encouraged to apply. Ambassador training is online, with a slide presentation and copy of the Ambassador handbook. Must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 for more information.
 
With leadership from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Mercer Botanic Gardens is a Harris County Precinct 4 Parks facility one mile north of FM 1960 at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, 77338. To register, seek additional information or request special assistance in any of the following programs, contact Mercer at 713-274-4160 or mercerbotanicgardens@hcp4.net. Visit Mercer online at www.hcp4.net/parks/mercer. All Precinct 4 events and programming are subject to change or cancellation because of COVID-19.

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