Riverside Nature Center
Encyclopedia
The Riverside Nature Center is a non-profit arboretum
with wildlife and native plant sanctuary located on the Guadalupe River
at 150 Francisco Lemos Street, Kerrville, Texas
. The gardens are open daily without charge.
The center was first envisioned in 1987 by Susan Sander, with the Riverside Nature Center Association (RNCA) organized in 1989. Today's site was purchased in 1992. With extensive clearing and planting, it has become an arboretum
with over 140 tree species
, approximately 200 species of wildflower
s, cacti
, shrubs, and native grass
es. It also contains a butterfly plant garden, sensory garden with Braille signs, and natural area with river trail.
Arboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
with wildlife and native plant sanctuary located on the Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
at 150 Francisco Lemos Street, Kerrville, Texas
Kerrville, Texas
Kerrville is a city in Kerr County, Texas, United States. The population was 20,425 at the 2000 census. In 2009, the population was 22,826...
. The gardens are open daily without charge.
The center was first envisioned in 1987 by Susan Sander, with the Riverside Nature Center Association (RNCA) organized in 1989. Today's site was purchased in 1992. With extensive clearing and planting, it has become an arboretum
Arboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
with over 140 tree species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, approximately 200 species of wildflower
Wildflower
A wildflower is a flower that grows wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. Yet "wildflower" meadows of a few mixed species are sold in seed packets. The term "wildflower" has been made vague by commercial seedsmen who are interested in selling more flowers or seeds more...
s, cacti
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
, shrubs, and native grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
es. It also contains a butterfly plant garden, sensory garden with Braille signs, and natural area with river trail.