Formosa Plastics
Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas supports local conservation efforts by donating native plants cultivated at the Agriculture and Ecology Research Center (AERC), which I manage. The center focuses on sustainable ecology, research and environmental enhancement throughout the Coastal Bend region.
The plants provided were grown primarily from seeds collected by Texas Master Naturalists across the Coastal Bend. Many of these native species are difficult to grow and not commercially available, but through research and experimentation, the center has developed techniques to propagate them successfully.
Donating plants is one of the most effective ways to improve the local environment beyond the Formosa Plastics property. These efforts also raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and demonstrate the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community support.
Among the plants donated were pollinator-friendly species including coralbean, scarlet sage, Carolina wolfberry, yellow sophora and Turk’s cap, along with a variety of oak trees and native milkweed species.
Native milkweed plays a crucial role in the monarch butterfly’s life cycle. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, relying on its chemical compounds to complete their transformation into adult butterflies. Without milkweed, monarch populations cannot survive.
The Texas Gulf Coast provides essential habitat for monarchs, serving as the first leg of their northward migration in spring and their final stop when heading south in the fall. Each plant donated helps sustain this remarkable natural journey.
Growing native milkweed is no small task. It requires a delicate process known as vernalization, or cold stratification, which helps seeds emerge from dormancy. Through extensive experimentation, I developed a method that significantly increases germination success. The process involves mixing seeds with perlite, adding a pH-adjusted hydrogen peroxide solution and refrigerating the seeds for 30 to 60 days to mimic natural winter conditions.
This careful process takes planning, patience and expertise, but the results speak for themselves. The outcome is strong, thriving plants that support local ecosystems and provide long-term benefits for pollinators and wildlife. Learn more about local conservation efforts: Mid-Coast Chapter Master Naturalists’ annual plant sale fundraiser blooms with success.
Written by Curtis Short, Manager, Agriculture and Ecology Research Center, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas
