Quinta Mazatlán invites the community to discover the rich botanical history of the Rio Grande Valley during a special Thursday Night Live presentation, “Robert Runyon Plants,” with longtime native plant grower Mike Heep, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Robert Runyon (1881–1968) was an American photographer, botanist, and Brownsville mayor whose plant discoveries and extensive private herbarium helped shape our modern understanding of South Texas flora. In this talk, Heep will highlight several species connected to Runyon’s work, weaving together ecological insight, historical context, and personal anecdotes gathered from decades of studying and growing native plants. The presentation will offer a unique window into Runyon’s contributions to botany and the enduring importance of the species he documented across the region.

Mike Heep has been at the forefront of native plant conservation in the Rio Grande Valley since the 1980s. Through his family nursery in Harlingen, he has propagated countless native species now found in gardens, parks, and natural areas throughout South Texas. With an academic background in Botany, Horticulture, and Chemistry, Heep is known for blending science, storytelling, and humor into presentations that both educate and inspire. His work has made him one of the Valley’s most trusted voices on native flora and ecological stewardship.

This program is free with general admission. For more information, call (956) 681-3370 and follow Quinta Mazatlán on social media for updates. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset Dr., in McAllen.