Georgetown, TX – The Good Water Master Naturalist Chapter is excited to invite the public to our upcoming nature and conservation event, “From Balconies to Backyards 2025: Taking Care of What You Have” on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The event features keynote speaker John Hart Asher who serves as host of the award winning and nationally syndicated PBS show, Central Texas Gardener.

Attendees have the opportunity to participate in person or virtually.

“From Balconies to Backyards” is at the Georgetown Annex building located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626, from 1:00 – 7:00 pm. Registration is open to all. The main theme is working with the space you have. Asher’s presentation is titled, “Be the Bison.” He will speak about his experience with ecological restoration and discuss pocket prairies as an example of a way that central Texans (and beyond) can drastically increase biodiversity to the benefit of all. Components of the pocket prairie strategy can be applied at multiple scales (think balcony, flower bed, or ranch) and he’ll happily answer any questions for folks who want to help Be the Bison.

The ticket price for In-Person attendance is $35 per person and includes a box dinner. Virtual tickets are $20 per person.

Register at: https://txmn.org/goodwater/from-balconies-to-backyards-2026/

The deadline to register for in-person tickets is July 10, 2026. The deadline to register for virtual tickets is July 15, 2026.

Additional speakers include:

• Anna Kurtin: “Coexisting with Charismatic Minifauna”
• Gil Eckrich: “Do Less—For More Birds!” (And Butterflies, too)
• Roy Johnson: “Climate Resilience Around Trees and Gardening”

Exhibitors will also be a part of the event. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about native plants, Master Naturalists, nature journaling, and much more.

Sponsors for From Balconies to Backyards include the Good Water Texas Master Naturalist Georgetown chapter, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners can count this event for AT hours. Check with your chapter on the reporting category.

For additional information, please contact [email protected]

Media Contact:

Holly Zeiner
Communications Director, Good Water Master Naturalist Chapter
512-656-8059
[email protected]

About Texas Master Naturalists:

The Texas Master Naturalist Program’s mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers, to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.

The Good Water Master Naturalist (GWMN) Chapter believes everyone with an interest in nature deserves to learn, grow, and share their passion as a member of the GWMN Chapter.

AgriLife Statement:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

Mary Ann Melton
From Balconies to Backyards Committee Chair
Good Water Chapter
Texas Master Naturalists