Organizational efforts were begun by Carroll Abbott and others in 1980, and the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) was founded on April 25, 1981 in Denton for the purpose of protecting the botanical legacy of Texas. The mission of NPSOT is to promote research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.

NPSOT was originally organized as an unincorporated association. As a non-profit, publicly-supported membership organization, it was granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. In January 1994, NPSOT incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Texas.

The late Ann Miller Gonzalez, who served as NPSOT President in 1988 and later became NPSOT Historian, wrote about the founding of NPSOT.

To learn more about Carroll Abbott and the early native plant movement in Texas, see Mr. Texas Bluebonnet - the Carroll Abbott Story at the Texas A&M website.