Upcoming Events
BioBlitz II: The Ripening
The Fruit Savers project seeks to locate and identify hardy local fruit producing specimens, for the purpose of protecting, harvesting, and propagating these resilient trees for current and future generations! Specifically we're looking for trees that are surviving and thriving with minimal human intervention, whether that's an ancient forgotten pear tree on the site of an old homestead or a feral peach growing on a fence-line.
Our first BioBlitz of 2026 focused on identifying fruit trees by their eye-catching early spring blooms. Mid-summer to early fall presents our next great opportunity to track down fruit-bearing trees, as their mature and ripe fruit makes them more conspicuous.
A BioBlitz is an event where everyday volunteers work together to find and identify as many species of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as possible within a specific area. We are using iNaturalist to track observations in our BioBlitz. For each iNaturalist observation, please include images of the tree's FRUIT, LEAVES, TRUNK, and FULL PROFILE (along with any other identifying features you notice).
The Fruit Savers are a working group of Central Texas Seed Savers, a project of Fruitful Commons. Funding for this year’s BioBlitz comes from the City of Austin’s Urban Forest Grant. To learn how to use iNaturalist and participate in our Fruit Tree Bio Blitz, click the button below.
NPSOT Austin Chapter: CTSS and Seed Saving How-To Night
The Austin Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will feature Central Texas Seed Savers in a special Seed-Saving presentation led by Colleen Dieter.
Social time will begin at 6:30 PM, and the presentation will be from 7-8 PM.
Tree ID Walk: Austin Central Library
Have you been wondering what kind of tree is growing in your yard? Maybe you want to learn a fun new skill? Well, you’re in luck, because the Central Texas Seed Savers and TreeFolks are coming to the Austin Central Library to lead a Tree ID lesson to help you learn a little more about what’s growing around you!
You will learn how to identify native trees and how to safely and ethically collect seeds to donate to the TreeFolks Seeds To Trees Native Nursery.
Meet your walk leader by the East entrance to the library, along Shoal Creek.
This walk will be led by Colleen Dieter, the owner of ATX Gardens.com. Colleen is an ISA Certified Arborist and fruit tree expert with over 20 years of professional experience as a gardener and landscaper in Central Texas, specializing in native plant maintenance. She is a top gardening educator and mentor, having taught hundreds of workshops and classes. As the host of the ATX Gardens podcast, she reminds listeners of what to do right now in their gardens and landscapes. She prevents the extinction of plants important to Central Texans through her leadership as the founder of Central Texas Seed Savers, a project of Fruitful Commons. The Central Texas Seed Savers is a growing network of people who love seeds, with a mission to prevent the extinction of ecologically and culinarily important plants in the Central Texas Region.
TreeFolks was founded as Austin’s Urban Forestry non-profit in 1989. Since then, TreeFolks has grown to work with communities throughout Central Texas in community tree planting, tree giveaways, education, and urban-wildland reforestation efforts. Our mission is to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees.
This training is free and open to anyone, but please register to attend. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gillian: volunteer@treefolks.org, (512) 761-8738 cell
Tree ID Walk: Carver Library
Have you been wondering what kind of tree is growing in your yard? Maybe you want to learn a fun new skill? Well, you’re in luck, because the Central Texas Seed Savers and TreeFolks are partnering with the Carver Library and the Carver Museum to lead a Tree ID lesson to help you learn a little more about what’s growing around you!
You will learn how to identify native trees and how to safely and ethically collect seeds to donate to the TreeFolks Seeds To Trees Native Nursery.
Meet your walk leader at the front entrance of the Carver Library.
The Carver Library and Carver Museum are partnering to provide nature-based programming that connects the community with the outdoors, environmental education, and hands-on learning experiences.
This walk will be led by Colleen Dieter, the owner of ATXGardens.com. Colleen is an ISA Certified Arborist, fruit tree expert and has over 20 years of pro experience as a gardener and landscaper in Central Texas with a specialty in native plant maintenance. She is a top gardening educator and mentor and has taught hundreds of workshops and classes. As the host of the ATX Gardens podcast, she reminds listeners of what to do right now in their gardens and landscapes. She prevents extinction of plants that are important to Central Texans through her leadership as founder of Central Texas Seed Savers, a project of Fruitful Commons. The Central Texas Seed Savers is a growing network of people who love seeds with the mission of preventing the extinction of ecologically and culinarily important plants in the Central Texas Region.
TreeFolks was founded as Austin’s Urban Forestry non-profit in 1989. Since then, TreeFolks has grown to work with communities throughout Central Texas in community tree planting, tree giveaways, education and urban-wildland reforestation efforts. Our mission is to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees.
This class is free and open to anyone, but please register to attend. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gillian: volunteer@treefolks.org, (512) 761-8738 cell
TreeFolks and CTSS October Seed Gathering
Let's get together in person at the TreeFolks nursery! Help with seed cleaning and processing, and learn all about how to collect seeds of native trees in our area and donate them to TreeFolks where they will be grown and planted in our community. There is no experience necessary! Join us to learn all about seeds, and help grow the next generation of trees for Central Texas. Friends and family are welcome, too!
Bring seeds to donate, seed questions and stories, or just bring yourself and your helping hands. We will be seated and indoors for this activity, and there is free parking available.
TreeFolks and CTSS November Seed Gathering
Let's get together in person at the TreeFolks nursery! Help with seed cleaning and processing, and learn all about how to collect seeds of native trees in our area and donate them to TreeFolks where they will be grown and planted in our community. There is no experience necessary! Join us to learn all about seeds, and help grow the next generation of trees for Central Texas. Friends and family are welcome, too!
Bring seeds to donate, seed questions and stories, or just bring yourself and your helping hands. We will be seated and indoors for this activity, and there is free parking available.
TreeFolks and CTSS December Seed Gathering
Let's get together in person at the TreeFolks nursery! Help with seed cleaning and processing, and learn all about how to collect seeds of native trees in our area and donate them to TreeFolks where they will be grown and planted in our community. There is no experience necessary! Join us to learn all about seeds, and help grow the next generation of trees for Central Texas. Friends and family are welcome, too!
Bring seeds to donate, seed questions and stories, or just bring yourself and your helping hands. We will be seated and indoors for this activity, and there is free parking available.
Tiny Talks Volume 9
Tiny Talks are a quarterly showcase of weird, fascinating and inspiring talks from the people that shape Austin. Think: “show & tell” for adults, in the form of 5-8 minute PowerPoint presentations.
Colleen Dieter will be one of the speakers, and she’ll share the story of Central Texas Seed Savers. Speakers are scheduled between 8-9:30 PM during the event.
Tree ID Walk: Zilker Botanical Garden
Have you been wondering what kind of tree is growing in your yard? Maybe you want to learn a fun new skill? Well, you’re in luck, because the Central Texas Seed Savers and TreeFolks are coming to the Zilker Botanical Garden to lead a Tree ID lesson to help you learn a little more about what’s growing around you!
You will learn how to identify native trees, and how to safely and ethically collect seeds to donate to the TreeFolks Seeds To Trees Native Nursery.
Meet your walk leader at the Flag Pole!
The Central Texas Seed Savers is a growing network of people who love seeds with the mission of preventing the extinction of ecologically and culinarily important plants in the Central Texas Region.
TreeFolks was founded as Austin’s Urban Forestry non-profit in 1989. Since then, TreeFolks has grown to work with communities throughout Central Texas in community tree planting, tree giveaways, education and urban-wildland reforestation efforts. Our mission is to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees.
This Tree ID Walk will be led by Bailey Hoops, a clinically trained herbalist, specializing in bioregional herbalism (Texas native medicinal plants). Bailey studied with the Austin Permaculture Guild (austinperm.com) and is certified in Permaculture Design. She is also is certified with the Native Plant Society of Texas in Landscaping with Native Plants (https://www.npsot.org/our-work/class-schedule/native-landscape-certification/). Since completing the Native Landscape Certification program she continues to volunteer with Austin NPSOT Chapter, TreeFolks, and CTX Seed Savers, where she teaches plant knowledge and leads plant walks for the program.
TreeFolks and CTSS September Seed Gathering
Let's get together in person at the TreeFolks nursery! Help with seed cleaning and processing, and learn all about how to collect seeds of native trees in our area and donate them to TreeFolks where they will be grown and planted in our community. There is no experience necessary! Join us to learn all about seeds, and help grow the next generation of trees for Central Texas. Friends and family are welcome, too!
Bring seeds to donate, seed questions and stories, or just bring yourself and your helping hands. We will be seated and indoors for this activity, and there is free parking available.
Propagation for Beginners
Class will discuss the fundamentals of propagation, including simple techniques that can be used at home with minimal equipment. The class will highlight some of the easiest plants to propagate, making it ideal for beginners who want quick and rewarding results. Whether you are looking to expand your garden or share plants with friends, you will leave with hands-on information to help you propagate with confidence.
This event is free, and no RSVP is required.
Seed Saving Basics with Colleen Dieter
Discover the rewarding practice of saving seeds and preserving plant diversity for future generations. Whether you are a beginning gardener or an experienced grower, this class will provide practical knowledge and simple techniques to help you save, store, and share seeds with confidence.
Seed Saving Basics with Colleen Dieter
Discover the rewarding practice of saving seeds and preserving plant diversity for future generations. Whether you are a beginning gardener or an experienced grower, this class will provide practical knowledge and simple techniques to help you save, store, and share seeds with confidence.
This event is free, and no RSVP is required.
Tree ID for Seed Savers at The natural gardener
Have you been wondering what kind of tree is growing in your yard? Maybe you want to learn a fun new skill? Well, you’re in luck, because the Central Texas Seed Savers and TreeFolks are coming to The Natural Gardener to lead a Tree ID lesson to help you learn a little more about what’s growing around you!
Wild Spirit Wild Places 3rd Annual Pollinator Celebration
At Vista Brewing hosted by Wild Spirit Wild Places, Colleen will be on a panel from noon-1 discussing importance of native plants and pollinators. Event runs 11-3. Sunday June 14. Event is free but RSVP is requested.
Tree ID for Seed Savers at Zilker Botanical Garden
Have you been wondering what kind of tree is growing in your yard? Maybe you want to learn a fun new skill? Well, you’re in luck, because the Central Texas Seed Savers and TreeFolks are partnering with the Zilker Botanical Garden to lead a Tree ID lesson in their beautiful space!
Hosting an event?
Central Texas Seed Savers can lead a seed swap at your event! Fill out the form below to get started.