About
Press Releases
We are dedicated to providing media with the most current and accurate information about the Wildflower Center. Below you will find recent media announcements and fact sheets to help you with your story or writing assignment. If you need more information, would like to interview a member of the Wildflower Center staff or need photography, please contact us directly.
| Communications Director Saralee Tiede 512.232.0104 stiede@wildflower.org | Media Manager Barbra Rodriguez 512.232.0105 brodriguez@wildflower.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
When: A proclamation announcing the week will be read by the City Council in their chambers on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5:30 p.m. A press conference will be held Monday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. in which the speakers will include Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Rep. Donna Howard, Wildflower Center Executive Director Susan Rieff, and Sara L. Hensley, Director, Austin Parks & Recreation Department.
Where: The City Hall Council Chambers are at 301 W. Second St. The press conference will be at Austin Parks & Recreation Department's Main Office, 200 S. Lamar Blvd. A tour open to the public will occur after the press conference of their habitat demonstration garden, which will be recognized as a Best of Texas wildlife habitat certified by both the National Wildlife Federation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.. Other wildlife habitats will be featured each weekday, including the Wildflower Center on Thursday.
Background: To raise awareness of Texas native plants that help clean the air and water, provide wildlife habitat and other benefits, the Wildflower Center has teamed up with the City of Austin, Rep. Donna Howard's office and the Native Plant Society of Texas to provide the first annual Texas Native Plant Week. Five native plants that work well in many local gardens will be featured each day, and each day a certified wildlife habitat will be highlighted so that the public can visit to learn how native plants are used to create a wildlife habitat. All gardens are free admission, except the Wildflower Center butterfly and other gardens featured Thursday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., where regular admission prices will apply.
To learn more about the featured habitats and native plants that will be featured each day of the week - including vines, succulents and trees - the public can visit the Texas Native Plant Week Web site at:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/nativeplantweek.htm, or call the Parks and Recreation Department's Wildlife Austin Program at: 512-327-8181 extension 29. To see Wildflower Center admission prices, go to: http://www.wildflower.org/visitus.
