Austin Chapter

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

FIELD TRIPS

We take periodic field trips to tour properties and residences, do nature and plant walks, view restorations, sketch plants, remove invasive species, and more. See our Home Page and Calendar

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NICE (Natives Improve and conserve environments). Native plant partners logo

NICE Partner Program

Purpose The NICE Native Plant Partner program is a collaboration between the Native Plant Society of Texas and local nurseries around the state to offer native plants that are right for the local environment.

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NPSOT Austin Plant Sale

Each year, members of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT), Austin chapter, grow native plants that you may not find in typical retail garden centers. These plants are ready

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PLANT RESCUES

When land is to be cleared for construction, we work with the owner and developer to first rescue as many native plants as possible. We gather seeds, cuttings, and transplants

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

The NPSOT Austin Chapter sets aside funds each year for scholarships and grants which our state office manages and distributes. Successful applicants will show a clear interest in Texas Native

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About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason