NewsDrop-July-August-2026

EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY

Conserving water & preserving the aquifer can start in your own backyard.

By: Sara Beesley EAA Chief Development Officer N Choosing native Texas plants for your landscape has multiple benefits for both you and the aquifer. Over time, it saves water and money, and as a bonus, it provides habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. ative plants are plants that are a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem, according to the USDA. Because native plants are adapted to the local soil and climate, they require less water after they are established. Using less water when watering your yard means conserving more and saving money on your water bill. Native plants tend to have deeper roots, which improves soil quality, reduces soil erosion, and increases water infiltration. If you are located over the recharge zone, this means more water makes it into the aquifer when it rains and you have less runoff. Once you decide to start on your native plant journey, you need to determine which plants are right for your yard. Texas has ten ecoregions, each with plants and trees native to that specific ecoregion. San Antonio and Bexar County are in a unique location in Texas where four major ecoregions come together: Edwards Plateau, Blackland Prairie, Post Oak Savannah and South Texas Plains. The Edwards Aquifer is located along the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau. The different ecoregions in the area means a variety of native plants have adapted over the years to the region.

You don’t have to start the journey towards a native plant garden alone. There are plenty of local resources (and even coupons) to help you get started. Check out the Garden Style San Antonio website from our partners at the San Antonio Water System Conservation Department ( www.gardenstylesanantonio.com ). They have a great list of resources – from how to design your landscape to proper watering techniques to save water and help your plants thrive. They also offer landscape coupons and irrigation rebates throughout the year. The Native Plant Society of Texas ( www.npsot.org ) has a Native Plant Database where you can search for plants based on your ecoregion and specific plant needs, such as plants that prefer sun or shade. Planting native plants in your garden is an easy way to make a difference and become an aquifer steward. The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy supports the EAA Education Outreach Center, where you can see an example of a native plant garden and learn more ways to conserve the aquifer.

Ecoregions of Texas Map: Griffith, G.E., Bryce, S.A., Omernik, J.M., Comstock, J.A., Rogers, A.C., Harrison, B., Hatch, S.L., and Bezanson, D., 2004, Ecoregions of Texas (color poster with map, descriptive text, and photographs): Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey (map scale 1:2,500,000). This project was partially supported by funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VI, Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) programs.

Contact us at: EAC@edwardsaquifer.org or visit our website at: eaconservancy.org for more information.

Gregg’s Mistflower ( Conoclinium greggii )

( Malvaviscus arboreus ) Turk’s Cap

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