Welcome!
The NPSOT 2023 Fall Symposium is coming to Nacogdoches, Texas! This year’s event will take place at the historic Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center and will focus on conserving plants native to the Pineywoods Ecoregion of East Texas. (Photo credit: Jug Hole, Sabine Forest by Peter M. Loos)
Event Overview
The Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center will serve as the symposium headquarters with NPSOT group-rate lodging available. The event schedule includes a “no host” meet and greet on Thursday evening, followed by a kickoff plenary session with Matt Buckingham on Friday morning that will segue into a day of field trips around the region, followed by a Friday evening reception. Speakers and panel sessions will be held throughout the day on Saturday, and an awards banquet on Saturday night. Participants can participate in our silent auction and see vendor and exhibitor displays at the hotel. In addition, a list of suggested self-guided field trips is available for those traveling on Thursday and Sunday. This hybrid event includes a variety of registration options for in-person and virtual attendance, with in-person Society member and scholastic discounts. This event has been planned by the NPSOT 2023 Fall Symposium Committee.
About the Pineywoods Region
The Pineywoods of Texas is the easternmost ecoregion found in Texas. It is bordered on the east by Louisiana, to the west by the Post Oak Savanna, and to the south by the Gulf Prairies. Maximum elevation reaches 500 feet and soils are mostly sandy and acidic. Average rainfall can be more than 50 inches per year. The region is dominated by pine forests that were historically populated with longleaf, shortleaf and loblolly pine. Fire is a key component in the landscape, creating botanically diverse, forested grasslands dominated by little bluestem grass. The topography is generally rolling hills; hardwood bottomlands, and lowlands that include swamps, bogs, and marshes.
Blueberries (Vaccinium species) grow wild, as do native Rhododendron species and both species of pawpaw (Asimina). Here you will find orchids, pitcher plants, and numerous rare plants, such as Gaillardia aestivalis var. winklerii, Hibiscus dasycalyx, Yucca cernua and Trillium texanum. Plants of note on some of the tours include Sarracenia alata, Hamamelis ovalis, Gentiana saponaria, and Spiranthes odorata.
2023 Fall Symposium Details
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors! By becoming a sponsor, these organizations help underwrite symposium costs and fulfill one of the basic tenets of our Society’s mission – educating the general
Schedule
Speakers and field trips are being finalized and are subject to change. EVENTS SCHEDULE: All In-person events are shown below. For Virtual registrants, * indicates a live streaming session that
Registration Options
NPSOT Members receive discounted rates, but must be logged to their NPSOT account to receive them. Click on your preferred event type below to begin the registration process. Up to
Friday Field Trips
Attendance for most field trips is limited, and consequently the field trip selection made during event registration is final and cannot be changed at the Symposium. Please review possible choices
Self-Guided Field Trips
WHAT TO DO WHEN COMING AND GOING This is a collection of interesting stops and field trips you can take on your own while traveling to and from the symposium
Lodging
Special Hotel Rates for NPSOT 2023 Symposium Attendees **The Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center block is now full. Please see other lodging recommendations below!** The Native Plant Society of Texas
Venues
The centrally-located Freedonia Hotel & Convention Center will be the primary venue for the 2023 Fall Symposium. On-site activities will include plenary and concurrent sessions, the Friday night reception, the
Silent Auction
Silent Auction Details The silent auction will be set up in the Fredonia Hotel along with exhibits and vendors. During the symposium, donations will be accepted Friday afternoon, 11/10/23 from
Photo, Video, & Newsletter Contests
The submission period for our 2023 Photo, Video, and Newsletter contests has passed. You can view all of this year’s photo submissions on our SmugMug site. The 2023 winners of
Symposium FAQs
This section will include anticipated and frequently asked Fall Symposium questions throughout the registration period. If you need additional clarification, please email admin-assist@npsot.org. When will registration open? Registration with event
Become a Sponsor, Vendor, or Exhibitor!
If you and your business are native plant champions –consider sponsoring and/or being a vendor at our event! The Native Plant Society of Texas is a state-wide organization with 33
Chapter Sponsorship
Our 2023 Fall Symposium in Nacogdoches promises to be a fascinating review of the east Texaspineywoods plant communities! From forests to fungi – learn about it all. We welcome NativePlant