Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary

This 4 1/2 acres contain 3 distinct habitats…a live oak motte, a remnant of a coastal prairie, and an ephemeral pond. A coastal Live Oak forest is special because of the native shrubs and plants that makeup the understory. This plant community, together with the Live Oaks, is called an oak motte. Oak mottes are valuable stopover habitats for migrating songbirds. This coastal prairie consists of native grasses and wildflowers. Coastal prairies provide food and shelter for many different varieties of wildlife. The plants mature in the fall and produce colorful seed heads. Standing on the slab and looking down the hill is an ephemeral pond. An ephemeral pond can be without water for a long period depending on the weather cycle. They are distinctive wetlands devoid of fish. This allows the safe development of amphibians and insects unable to withstand predation from fish. It is a Texas native plant garden.

This site is a recognized Butterfly Waystation.

Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.

For more information visit – Monarch Waystation Program

Check out our plant inventory at Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary