The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center offers its sixth WINTER LECTURE SERIES for Texas winter visitors and area residents.  Guest speakers will present a variety of nature and horticultural topics which define and explain our unique South Texas environment, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., on the following Wednesdays, in January and February, in the Visitors Center, 8545 S. Staples.  General admission only; $6 adults, $5 seniors at 60.   Members free!  (Reservations not needed.)  Lecture Topics are:

Jan 11: Rainwater Harvesting Karen Ivey, San Patricio Water District  

Jan 18:   Harvesting Venom Speaker from Natural Toxins Research Center, Texas A&M--Kingsville

Jan 25:   Coastal Bend Biblical Gardens Dr. John Fucik, Retired Horticulture Professor

Feb 1: Butterflies You Should Know Jack & Betty Prentiss show off their amazing collection!

Feb 8: Certified Wildlife Guide Program Michelle Horine, CC Convention & Visitors Bureau

Feb 15:   Recycle Your Garden/ Practical Composting Bob Becquet, Nueces Master Gardeners

Feb 22:  Getting Started with Companion Birds Jim Harmon, Coastal Bend Companion Bird Club & Rescue Mission

Feb 29:  Hopelessly Hooked on Hibiscus Sabie Morlan, Texas Certified Nursery Professional, Nueces Master Gardeners

One of the Coastal Bend’s major visitor destinations and leading nature tourism facilities, the 182-acre South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center showcases 11 uniquely-designed floral exhibits and gardens, including the new screened Butterfly House and 800-plant Anderson Bromeliad Conservatory, acclaimed Orchid House and Plumeria Garden, plus Rose Garden and massive Rose Pavilion, Hummingbird, Arid and Sensory Gardens. Strategically situated along Oso Creek on Corpus Christi’s affluent south side, this unlikely blend of beauty in the wild nearly touches the northern reaches of the world-famous King Ranch, in an intriguing wildlife corridor. Tranquil Gator Lake, shaded trails, birding tower, Palapa Grande and wetlands boardwalk make this a key site on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail for both shore birds and woodland song birds. A memorable venue for garden enthusiasts, nature tourists, birdwatchers, wildlife trackers, teachers and students, or those just out for an enjoyable recreational, relaxing change of pace. Delightful Garden Shoppe in Visitors Center. Docent-guided group tours, and facilities rentals available.

Located at 8545 S. Staples St. in Corpus Christi, the facility is open daily, 8 am to 6 pm. (Summer Hours-- 8 am to 7 pm, June 1 through Labor Day.) General Admission-- $6 adults; $5 age 60, active Military, college students; $3 children 5 through 12. Under 5 and members, free.