Local Texas Master Naturalist experts lead talks at RGV Home & Garden Show 2026

Annual Rio Grande Valley Home & Garden Show 2026 -- March 20-22 -- Be sure to visit Booths 122-124 for South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist native plant sales.

South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist

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Local Texas Master Naturalist experts to lead talks at RGV Home & Garden Show

PHARR, TEXAS–South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist members are back with special presentations during the Annual Rio Grande Valley Home and Garden Show March 20 - 22 at the McAllen Convention Center.

The talks include the value of adding native plants to home gardens, plants that tolerate the shady side of your yard, good native vines for residential gardens, easy lighting techniques that benefit both humans and wildlife and reasons why it is important to embrace wildlife.

The event is at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Boulevard, at Expressway 83 and South Ware Road. Admission is free; the event is open to the public. Event hours are Friday 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The schedule for STBCTMN presentations is as follows:

Friday, March 20, 2026

2:30 p.m. “Disappearing Rare Native Plants of the Rio Grande Valley.” Eric Luebanos, Texas Master Naturalist. Many species that were once common are now considered rare. Learn the causes of the decline and conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Valley’s unique botanical heritage.

3:15 p.m. “Welcoming Wildlife to your Yard.” Laura Brush, Texas Master Naturalist. Learn how choosing native plants, providing clean water, creating shelter and other eco-friendly practices will support birds, pollinators and other helpful creatures to your yard – all while maintaining a beautiful home landscape.

4 p.m. “Native Plants – On the Shady Side.” Anita Westervelt, Texas Master Naturalist. While most native plants need full sun, there are nearly 20 plants that will flourish in full or partial shade, bringing beauty and habitat value to low-light areas of your landscape.

4:45 p.m. “Vines in the Landscape- Beauty or Beast?” Rachael H. Brown, Texas Master Naturalist. Learn about growth habits and maintenance of native vines and how they can enhance your garden with shade, privacy, color and wildlife and which vines will support, not sabotage your garden vision.

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Noon. “Welcoming Wildlife to your Yard.” Laura Brush, Texas Master Naturalist.

1 p.m. “Vines in the Landscape – Beauty or Beast?” Rachael H. Brown, Texas Master Naturalist.

2 p.m. “Native Plants – On the Shady Side.” Anita Westervelt, Texas Master Naturalist.

3 p.m. “Native Plants – Seed Collection and Propagation.” Gabriel Montalvo, Texas Master Naturalist. Learn easy, practical propagation techniques, from seeds to cuttings and division, to help home gardeners grow more plants, whether just beginning your native garden or looking to expand an established one.

Sunday, March 22, 2026

1 p.m. “Native Plants – Seed Collection and Propagation.” Gabriel Montalvo, Texas Master Naturalist.

3:45 p.m. “Better Lights, Safer Nights.” Jennifer Rektorik, Texas Master Naturalist. Learn from DarkSky International Advocate Jennifer Rektorik about the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting and how to make your yard safer for your family and more inviting to wildlife.

In addition to the nature presentations, South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist members will set up their annual plant sales at booths 122-124 during the event and be available to answer visitors’ questions about native plants.

For more information about the show, visit rgvhomeshow.com