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Native Plant Society of Texas

State Board Awards of Appreciation and Merit

Awards of Appreciation

The Award of Appreciation is given to people for work that furthers our mission.

  • 2024, Kyle Cowart for being an ambassador for planting Texas bluebonnets by making presentations to multiple groups, creating a display for outreach, and giving away seeds
  • 2023, Claire Sorenson, Stephanie Long, Mark Richert, Karl Hanz, Kate Stykes , Jon Lienhard, for the idea and development of the Native Landscape Plant Database, a searchable database of native plants that may be used in native landscaping for the different ecoregions throughout Texas
  • 2022, Gary Bowers, Williamson County Chapter, for making the Wilco Chapter a model of efficiency and adaptation during changing times, the chapter’s technology and methods are trailblazing models for others to follow
  • 2021, Suzanne Tuttle, Deedy Wright, Meg Inglis for developing the Native Landscape Certification Program Class “Stewardship of Native Plant Communities”; and Becca Dickstein for over fifteen years of writing the “NICE Plant of The Season” information sheets for the Trinity Forks Chapter
  • 2005, Mike McBride and Dar Richardson
  • 1990, Patty Leslie
  • 1990, Andy Wasowski
  • 1987, Jim Holmes
  • 1987, Vernon Wesby
  • 1995, Carol Hendrick
  • 1986, Bettye Jane Dodds
  • 1986, Benny J. Simpson
  • 1983, Billie Thompson
  • 1982, Dr. Kenneth Fry

Native Star Award

The Native Star Award is given to an organization or agency for a specific act of conservation or public service.

  • 2024, Lingleville ISD PTO for mobilizing, inspiring, & enlisting the community to create an outdoor learning environment for Pre-K through 12 students as a hands-on living lab to enhance education
  • 2023, Caddo Mounds State Historic Site is recognized for the Snake Woman’s Garden, for a demonstration garden that features native plants that would have been cultivated by the Caddo people for food and medicine
  • 2022, City of Frisco Urban Forestry, the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Chapter, the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility and Rick and Lisa Travis, for partnership efforts in the rescue of “Asclepias” spp. plants, nurturing and successfully transplanting 300 plants to the Frisco Stewart Creek Wetlands Preserve
  • 2021, Jamie Ford and CVHS Sky Prairie Students for the transformation of the Carnegie Vanguard High School’s campus’s green roof into a coastal prairie and pollinator garden through work in the Scientific Research and Design course
  • 2020, Cemex Corporation for creation of the Balcones Dry Comal Creek and Wildlife Habitat Center
  • 2019, Marathon Petroleum Corporation for their on-site projects that enhance pollinator and migratory bird habitats
  • 2018, George Ozuna, Olivia Tapia and The Salsa Squad for their work at Medina River Natural Area
  • 2017, Texas Department of Transportation for the Monarch Waystations at the Interstate 35 Safety Rest Areas
  • 2016, Friends of the Tandy Hills Natural Area for sponsoring the Tandy Hills Bioblitz organized by Deborah Young
  • 2015, Houston Chapter of the Native Prairie Association of Texas and the Bayou Land Conservancy, for their work in preserving Lawther Deer Park Prairie
  • 2014, Friends of the Tandy Hills Natural Area for their Kids on the Prairie program directed by Anne Alderfer

Digital Media Award

The Digital Media Memorial Award recognizes outstanding digital publications featuring Texas native plants.

  • 2024, Joe Marcus for his significant contribution as program coordinator of the Native Plants of North America database and website for the  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
  • 2023, Haeley Giambalvo for her website “Native Backyards” which helps folks grow native plants in their yard.  Advice and recommendations provided are easy, friendly, positive, and encouraging which leads to more success in growing native plants
  • 2022, Tom Lebsack for his website: Texas Wildbuds, a collection of Texas wildflower photos taken around the state with most from Central Texas and Big Bend
  • 2021, Linda Leinen for the blog “Lagniappe” Images and Incidentals, featuring descriptions and photographs of Texas native plants
  • 2020. Don Young for his blog Prairie Notes
  • 2019, Dr Mark Vorderbruggen for his website Foraging Texas
  • 2018, City of Frisco, Frisco Garden Club, and Molly Kinson for digital publications featuring native plants
  • 2017, Bill Hopkins for ten years as editor of the www.npsot.org website
  • 2016, Michael Eason for his Facebook group page Texas Flora
  • 2015, Steven Schwartzman for his photography website Portraits of Wildflowers
  • 2014, Meredith O’Reilly for her blog Great Stems

Honorary Life Membership

  • 1995, Lynn Lowrey
  • 1984, Carroll Abbott

Resolution in Memoriam

  • 1984, Carroll Abbott

Award of Appreciation with Honorary Life Membership

  • 2018, Pam Middleton
  • 2006, Sue Wiseman
  • 2005, Sally and Andy Wasowski
  • 2004, Kate Hillhouse
  • 2003, Dorothy Mattiza
  • 1989, Bettye Jane Dodds
  • 1986, Lady Bird Johnson
  • 1986, Dr. Mary Evelyn Blagg-Huey

Award of Recognition

  • 1988, Benny J. Simpson
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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason