Texas native plants are hardy, less susceptible to pests and diseases, and unlikely to escape and become invasive. North American native plants, defined as those that existed here without human introduction, are disappearing at an alarming rate because of human activities such as urban development, agribusiness, and the introduction of invasive species. The loss of native plant communities has reduced wildlife habitat and the genetic diversity necessary for balanced ecosystems. The garden preserves native plants that are part of local heritage, and the Salado trail system encourages the protection, preservation, and respect of their contribution to everyday life. It serves as an outdoor demonstration lab for children and adults to learn how plants provide food, fiber, shelter, and medicinal and ceremonial uses, and how they play a key environmental role in pollination, feeding livestock, and oxygen. Its completion resulted from a collaborative partnership between Keep Salado Beautiful, the Robertson Colony-Salado College Foundation, the Village of Salado, Salado ISD, and Bell County Master Gardeners, with installation funding from The Texas Native Garden Grant awarded to Keep Salado Beautiful by Keep Texas Beautiful and Lowes, and it is maintained by the First Monday Gardeners. Safe water has long been essential, and Salado was purposely located near Salado Creek to ensure a good water resource for early settlers. A cast iron hand water pitcher pump used by the school supplied water daily for students and farmland during the 1800s. The world’s first all-metal pump was manufactured in 1864 by the Down & Co. Manufacturing Company, and manual pumps remain the oldest and most widely used water pumps in the world. College Park is one of a few historical parks that still have these old water pumps.