EP Cactus and Rock Club

03/14/2026

Beautiful views of our amazing Franklin Mountains! Thank you JC Jean-Claude Linossi , EPCRC member and mentor, for sharing.

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

🌵🪨 Another Great (and Busy!) Meeting! 🪨🌵

What a fantastic morning with our cactus, rock, and native plant community!

Donna Ekal kicked things off by taking us on a journey through the geology of the Southwest, explaining the powerful forces that shaped our region. She brought along rock samples for everyone to explore up close and even held a drawing for a book and a special rock specimen. Talk about hands-on learning! 🔎🪨

We also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the EP Native Plant Society , marking an incredible milestone for an organization that has done so much to promote and protect native plants in our region. We look forward to working together for many more years supporting conservation and education in our desert community. 🌿

Next, Peter shared an update on the new Mentorship Program, including the introduction of several experienced members who will be serving as mentors. It’s a great opportunity for members to learn, connect, and grow their knowledge with guidance from some of the best in the club. 🌱

We enjoyed a fun blast from the past when a member shared a historic photo (from the 1900s!) of a field trip to Big Bend. It’s always amazing to see glimpses of the region’s history and how our landscape and community have evolved over time.

And of course, we wrapped up the morning with some of the best member perks. Members shared plant clippings to take home, and we held a special drawing for columnar cacti and barrel cacti from a domestic plant rescue. 🌵✨

Great learning, great plants, and great people. Always a pleasure catching up with old friends and making new ones along the way. 💚

📅 Save the Date:
Saturday, April 4
My Favorite Native Plants
Presented by Mike Bañales 🌿

03/11/2026

Art, nature, and community all in one place! 🌵🎨

We’re excited to be part of an upcoming event alongside talented local artists for a day filled with creativity, learning, and fun activities for all ages. Stop by our table to discover the incredible world of desert plants and the important work being done to protect them.

Our mission is simple but powerful:
🌿 Public education about our desert ecosystem
🌵 Conservation of native desert plants
🚛 Rescue and relocation of cacti and other plants threatened by development

Come say hello, ask questions, and learn how you can help protect the unique beauty of our desert landscape.

Let’s celebrate art, nature, and the plants that make our region so special. 🌞🌵Desert Art & Makers Market
Saturday, March 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at the International Museum of Art featuring EPCRCs very own .

Free event ⭐️ Family friendly ⭐️ Indoors

Shop local vendors, enjoy free activities, demonstrations and take in local art.

This event is part of Vanessa Zavala Clark's solo Art Exhibit desert Dreamscapes.
EPCC Senior Art Gallery Exhibit also on view.

We can't wait to see you there! 🎉

03/09/2026

Happy 25!

03/03/2026

🌄🌵 March Meeting Spotlight 🌵🌄

Our March meeting is packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and get involved!

We’ll start with an update from Peter on our Mentorship Program—your opportunity to learn from the best. Whether you're new to cacti and native plants or ready to expand your knowledge, this program helps our members grow stronger together. 🌱

Preparations are also underway for this year’s Garden Tour. Is your garden ready to share with the community? Now’s the time to start thinking about showcasing your space and inspiring others with desert-friendly landscapes.

And in true Cactus and Rock Club fashion… we are finally featuring a rock presentation! 🪨✨

🎤 Guest Speaker:
Dr. Donna Ekal
The Geology of the El Paso Area

The powerful geologic forces that shaped our region created the landscape we enjoy today. Dr. Ekal will share this fascinating story and bring rock and mineral samples, along with magnifying glasses, so everyone can take a closer look at the geology beneath our feet. 🔎

Plants, rocks, mentorship, and community—this meeting truly has it all.

Join us and dig a little deeper with us!