Naturalists at the Ney: Saving Water in Urban Landscapes

At Naturalists at the Ney: Saving Water in Urban Landscapes, rain isn’t just something that falls from the sky—it’s a resource waiting to be captured, slowed, and put to work.

This two-hour, all-ages program brings Texas-based storyteller and educator Cory Ames to the Elisabet Ney Museum for a deep dive into how our homes, streets, and neighborhoods can partner with nature instead of fighting against it. If you’ve ever watched a big Texas storm send rivers of water down your driveway and into the gutter, this talk is for you.

• Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026

• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Elisabet Ney Museum

• RSVP: Reserve your spot on Eventbrite

Cory explores how cities and landscapes function together, using real projects from across Central Texas to show that smarter water use doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You’ll learn how urban homes and neighborhoods can better capture, slow, and reuse rainwater right where it falls—on roofs, in yards, along driveways, and even on the street.

Instead of seeing stormwater as a nuisance that causes flooding and erosion, this session reframes it as a powerful ally. The conversation covers practical, beginner-friendly ideas you can put into action at home, whether you have a sprawling yard, a tiny lawn, or just a patio and a downspout.

• Simple strategies for harvesting rain from roofs and redirecting it into your landscape

• Ways to turn yard and driveway runoff into a resource instead of a problem

• Ideas for reducing localized flooding while keeping plants happier and healthier

• Approaches for working with your land’s natural slopes and drainage patterns

• Basic concepts behind water-wise, climate-conscious landscaping in urban areas

The event is designed to be accessible even if you’re new to sustainability topics. You don’t need to be an engineer or a gardener to follow along—just curious about making your little patch of the city more resilient. You’ll leave with concrete, doable next steps: how to read the way water moves on your site, which small interventions make the biggest difference, and why “slowing the flow” is one of the most powerful things a homeowner or renter can do.

Naturalists at the Ney events are all about connecting people, place, and the natural systems that quietly shape our lives. Saving Water in Urban Landscapes fits perfectly into that mission, blending storytelling, science, and everyday practicality. Plan on learning, imagining new possibilities for your home landscape, and going back to the next heavy rain with a fresh set of eyes.

Spaces may be limited, so snag a spot through Eventbrite and get ready to start seeing stormwater as one of your city’s most underrated superpowers.