TEXAS EXPERIENCE

You are cordially invited to visit the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program and Bexar County Master Gardener exhibits at the Texas Experience Pavilion. The exhibits will focus on "green" living and environmental stewardship.

"Green" Home Exhibit - The Green Living at Home exhibit in the Texas Experience Pavilion will demonstrate a variety of ways people can conserve energy and water at home, as well as help protect the environment. Visitors to the exhibit will learn about several changes they can make inside -- and outside -- their homes to be more environmentally responsible. They will learn how to create a greener home through taking measures such as using energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL); more energy and/or water-use efficient appliances, rainwater harvesting, using a programmable thermostat; composting; recycling and planting low-water-use plants, trees, and turf grass.

This year, Texas AgriLife Extension has partnered with SAWS, CPS, the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy and others to present a comprehensive "green" display to address a variety of ways people can modify their homes and activities to reduce water and electricity use. For the display, SAWS has provided high-efficiency appliances that can reduce a household's normal water consumption by 15,000 to 20,000 gallons per year without making lifestyle changes. Visitors will also have an opportunity to win one of four SAWS Caroma high-efficiency dual-flush toilets!

Bexar County Master Gardeners - Visit the Master Gardener exhibit and theme gardens to learn how you and your family can participate in the "Earth Kind" program. The objective of this Texas A & M University program is to "combine the best of organic and traditional gardening principles to create a new horticultural system based on real-world effectiveness and environmental responsibility." Visit the winter color, herb, citrus, and water gardens. Learn the basics of turf grass selection and maintenance.  Purchase the newest Rodeo tomato variety, "Crista," and a beautiful hanging basket of the newest heat-tolerant Fantasia Series geraniums, Strawberry Sizzle and Violet.

Ask the Expert - Horticulture experts will be available on weekends to answer your gardening questions.  Visit with horticultural radio celebrities Dr. Jerry Parsons and Dr. Calvin Finch on February 2 from 12:00 - to 2:00 pm.  Trained Master Gardeners will be available at all times.  Short presentations on subjects including the new Crista tomato, rainwater harvesting, and planting fruit trees will be given on the Turning American Green Through Magic stage on weekends.

Outdoor Classroom - Look for the Earth Kind theme in the displays, gardens, and youth activities in the Outdoor Classroom area.  A visit to this area of the Texas Pavilion will inspire parents and educators to teach children more about nature, the environment, plants, and gardening.  Featured gardens are:  Spiders & Arachnids, Birds & Bees (Pollinators) Garden, Who's Busy at Night?, Go Green at School, and ABCs of Texas Crops gardens. Children will enjoy learning through the interactive displays, participating in the scavenger hunt (evening weekdays and all day on weekends), and making a garden craft (weekends only).

Texas Native Snakes - The South Texas Herpetology Association, a non-profit organization of reptile and amphibian herpetologists and hobbyists will have an educational display of live Texas native snakes from February 1 - 11.  Presentations will take place at noon and 6:30 p.m. on each of those days.  Learn about our native snakes and how to identify the venomous and non-venomous ones.  Learn how snakes play an important role in the Texas ecosystem by helping to keep rodent populations in check.

Texas Parks & Wildlife, Master Naturalists and Texas Wildlife Association - During the second and last weekend of Rodeo, these three organizations will team up to present an exhibit to replace the herpetology exhibit.  Look for information about living with wildlife in the urban environment.  Children will enjoy the skins, skulls, and tracks of common small wildlife.  Discovery Boxes will carry out the Living Green - Earth Kind theme.

Schultze House - Visit this shop for nature lovers to purchase gardening gloves and tools, a variety of home and garden decorations, and items for children.  The Schultze House, operated by Bexar County Master Gardeners, will have unique gifts for your valentine or Rodeo sweetheart.  Hours are 4:00 - 8:30 pm Monday through Thursday; noon to 9:00 pm on Fridays and Sundays; and 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturdays. 

Rainwater Harvesting Exhibit - Did you know that out of all the water on the earth, we can only use 3 %?  Would it surprise you to learn that the roof of a 2000 square foot home could potentially yield 1000 gallons of useful rain water for the landscape?  Why not come and see an old yet modern way to conserve and properly utilize this precious resource?  Visit with Bexar County Master Gardeners and Texas Cooperative Extension specialist who will give presentations on rainwater catchments and the proper usage and maintenance of 55 gallon barrels and up to 6000 gallon tanks.