Thursday Speaker Series
Our weekly event series features a unique program every Thursday night, offering a diverse range of entertainment, workshops, and activities. Each week brings something new and exciting, ensuring there's always something for everyone to enjoy!
Date: Every Thursday Evening
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Fee: Included with general admission
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Sep. 18 - Use of UAVs for Ecosystem Modeling and Mapping with Carlos Garcia-Patlan
TIME: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Explore the application of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Environmental Sciences, highlighting their role in data collection, monitoring, and analysis of environmental conditions with Carlos Garcia-Patlan, Ecologist for the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Carlos Garcia-Patlan Graduated with a bachelors degree in environmental sciences at UTRGV, where they worked at the Agroecology lab doing soil work.
Shortly after he received a master's degree in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences at UTRGV, with a focus on the effects of cover cropping on commodity crops by collecting in-field samples and through aerial imagery. While completing his masters, Carlos worked for the USDA ARS, with the Aerial Applications Technology office, learning more about the use of UAVs in the field of agriculture. Today, Carlos is an ecologist for the Texas A&M Forest Service, working in the Urban and Community Forestry program, guiding communities toward sustainable management of their community forests.
Oct. 2 - RGV Ecological History with Javier de Leon
TIME: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Join Javier de León for a journey into the ecological past of the Rio Grande Valley, delving into what we know about the historical plant and animal communities of the region.
Javier is the Park Superintendent at Estero Llano Grande State Park, one of the premier birding locations in the RGV, and serves as advisor to the local Texas Master Naturalist chapters.
This program is included with park admission fees.
Oct. 9 - Cacti of the RGV with Ken King
TIME: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Uncover the incredible diversity of native cactus species in the Rio Grande Valley with Ken King. You'll learn how to identify them, where they grow, and how to care for them.
Ken is the co-author of "Plants of Deep South Texas", the most comprehensive guide to native plants of the Rio Grande Valley, and serves on the Native Plant Project's Board of Directors.
This program is included with park admission fees.
Oct. 16 - Planta Nativa VIP Night
TIME: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
The Planta Nativa VIP (Very Important Plants) Night is all about native plants, building community, and enjoying an evening in the atmosphere of Quinta Mazatlan. The keynote presentation, "Gardens of Texas: Growing with Resilience," by Pam Penick will inspire all of us to grow gardens that endure challenges and grow stronger.
The event also features a marketplace with native plant sales, seed giveaways, food vendors, wine and beer vendors, and educational outreach tables with local organizations who work with native plants.
The event includes free off-site parking and shuttle service from 1400 Wichita Avenue, McAllen, Texas.
Oct. 23 - Container Gardening with Matt Kaufman
TIME: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Learn how you can grow a diverse and beautiful container garden of native plants with Matt Kauffman. This program includes in-depth information on types of containers to use, soil mixtures, and tips on keeping your plants healthy and happy.
Matt has grown an incredible diversity of native plants in the Rio Grande Valley, from under-used common plants to rare species that should be in more gardens.
Program included with park admission fees.
Oct. 30 - Native Edible Plants with John Brush
TIME: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Native plants aren't just great for wildlife, they're tasty too! Learn about native edible plant gardening with John Brush, from annual "weeds" to perennial trees and everything in-between.
John is the Urban Ecologist at Quinta Mazatlan. He and his wife dedicate more than 600 square feet of garden to native edible plants and enjoy adding them to their cooking.
This program is included with park admission fees.
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Support Quinta Mazatlán by becoming a member, giving your time as a volunteer or a donation. Your gift helps us care for the conservation of plants, education for children & adults, programs for the community & the mission & goals of Quinta Mazatlán.