Silent and Online Auctions

Silent Auction, New Braunfels
2024 Silent Auction, New Bruanfels, TX; Photo Credit Haeley Giambalvo

The Online Auction is Live!

Any interested party can participate in the 2025 Online Auction; you do not need to attend the symposium or even be a NPSOT member to participate. Your winning bid for online auction items supports the Kate Hillhouse Scholarship Fund and the Ann Miller Gonzalez Research Grant Fund. Bidding is open now through 4PM on Saturday, October 4th!

The Silent Auction in Salado, TX

The silent auction will be set up in the Salado Middle School along with symposium exhibits and vendors. During the symposium, donations will be accepted in the silent auction area beginning Friday October 3rd, 4 pm -6 pm and Saturday October 4th, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm. If you want to donate an item to the silent auction, but are unable to attend the symposium and cannot coordinate with someone who is, please email our Administrative Assistants at admin-assist@npsot.org for mailing instructions. Mailed items must be received by 09/22/25.

All items must be accompanied by a bid sheet with the name, description of the item, estimated item value and suggested opening bid completed. Twenty percent of the estimated value is recommended for the suggested opening bid.

Bid Sheet as a Word doc

Bid Sheet as a PDF

Please note that donations do not have to be expensive or related to native plants. Whether it is a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or store, an admired book that you want to pass on to another native plant lover, or perhaps a treasure of your own making, each donation contributes to a very worthwhile cause. Items of local interest are especially popular.

About the Proceeds

Proceeds from the silent auction go toward the Kate Hillhouse Scholarship Fund and to the Ann Miller Gonzalez Research Grant Fund. Kate Hillhouse and Ann Miller Gonzalez were early supporters of Texas native plants and were devoted to preserving our area native plants thus funds generated from these two events provide us with a way to honor them. Please help us make this year’s symposium a great success by participating in these events!

Silent Auction Volunteers Are Needed

Volunteer forms for assisting are open to NPSOT members attending the Symposium; sign up in the member portal

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

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 fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason