In 2009, the Boerne Chapter of NPSOT established the Native Plant Watch, a grant program for elementary and middle school teachers in the Boerne ISD to encourage projects relating to the education of students of the value, use, or conservation of Texas native plants. As you can tell from the pictures below, there are many well-deserving and enthusiastic teachers and students, and we hope everyone has a chance to fill out an application. The deadline for submitting an application is by October 1 of that school year. Follow this link to download a form: Grant Application Form
For more background on this great program, please read Bill Ward’s articles:
- “Native-Plant Watch” — helping Boerne school children grow native
- Fredericksburg Nature Center — big diversity of native plants in a small area
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2009
The first class to be awarded the grant was Lora Beth Escalante’s 4th-grade class at Curington Elementary School in Boerne. On February 26, 2010, Boerne-NPSOT President Wilt Shaw and Boerne-NPSOT Education Chairwoman Kathy Ward were on hand to present Ms. Escalante with the $500 check as the 2009/2010 grant recipient of Boerne Chapter’s Native Plant Watch, a program to provide help to teachers who can want to educate students about the value and conservation of native plants and native plant habitats.
Boerne NPSOT President Wilt Shaw presents Native-Plant Watch award to Lora Beth Escalante, 4th-grade teacher at Curington Elementary School. Also enjoying the ceremony are Boerne NPSOT Education Chairman Kathy Ward (far left), Principal Jean Perry and BISD Science Coordinator Chris Ormiston (center rear), and Mrs. Escalante's 4th-grade class. (Photo by Delmar Cain)
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2010
On November 2, 2010, Boerne-NPSOT Education Chairwoman Kathy Ward and Boerne-NPSOT President Delmar Cain met with Donna Oates in her First Grade Class at Kendall Elementary School in Boerne, Texas. Ms. Oates was the recipient of the 2010/2011 Native Plant Watch Grant sponsored by the Boerne Chapter of NPSOT. Ms. Oates received a check for $500 to help her construct a garden, to be used in teaching students at the school of the value and conservation of native plants.
Boerne Chapter President Delmar Cain and Education Chairman Kathy Ward with Donna Oates and her first-grade class at Kendall Elementary School. (Photo by Chris Ormiston)