Welcome to the Lakes and Pines Chapter
of the Native Plant Society of Texas
Founded in November of 2023 with the great support of our members and volunteers, the Lakes and Pines Chapter, a 501(c)(3) organization, promotes research, conservation, and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach, and example. Our chapter includes Wood and surrounding counties. The Lakes and Pines Chapter takes in two Level 3 Ecoregions, East Texas Plains and the Western Gulf Coastal Plain. With towering pines and hardwoods, rolling hills and prairies, and lakes too numerous to count, this area has an average of 45” of rainfall annually and enjoys a wide range of plant and wildlife habitats.
As you explore our web site, you’ll find a variety of useful local information and resources, chapter news and events along with exciting programs and activities. We encourage you to get involved through membership, as a volunteer, or simply as someone interested in ecosystem sustainability. Utilize the resources provided by this website and the Native Plant Society of Texas to support the conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats.
What's So Great About Native Plants?
Native Plants . . .
– Have grown and survived here for over 500 years
– Are drought-tolerant, naturally conserving our precious water resources
– Don’t need special pampering or fertilizing: some native plants can thrive in a variety of conditions, but most need a defined climate, soil, light and amount of water
– Are natural to their ecosystem: Texas has over 5000 native plants but very few grow state-wide
– Help us maintain biological biodiversity
– Provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife
We are excited to share that adding your garden to the Homegrown National Park Biodiversity Map is now quicker and simpler than ever.
This is one of the most impactful actions you can take to help NPSOT showcase the incredible habitat restoration work happening across Texas.
With just a short form and a single email confirmation, your garden will be counted toward our statewide effort to make Texas #1 on the map.
Thanks to your efforts, we have nearly 400 member gardens represented on the Map, but with over 5,000 NPSOT members we can do better! Let’s get to 500 gardens by the end of 2025!
If you haven’t already, we challenge you to add a garden to the Map by the end of the month. If you’ve already added your personal garden, be sure to add any native demonstration gardens or school gardens as well.
Let’s grow native plants for Texas!
Tom Kirwan
Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT)
Texas Native Plant Week Committee
Lakes and Pines Chapter Meetings and Events
Our meetings are in person and open to the public. Chapter Meetings are generally held at 2:00pm on the first Wednesday of the month.
• 1:30PM – Greeting friends old and new
• 2:00PM – Meeting begins, starting with a special presentation about native plants or related topics followed by a brief business meeting.
• We currently meet at Bob Wells Nursery @ Sorelle Farms located at 975 County Road 2220 in Mineola, TX. Join us and bring a friend!
Monthly Doorprizes – Really cool items are being donated by our members for doorprizes.
Lakes and Pines Chapter News
2026 Lakes & Pines Executive Board
The new 2026 Lakes & Pines Executive Board was elected at the December Chapter Meeting: President – Linda Mahoney, Vice President – Jonie Petit, Secretary – Trisha Alexander, Secretary –
Not receiving Lakes & Pines Chapter newsletters? Click HERE and ask to be added to our mailing list.
Native Plant Society State Virtual Events
These on-line virtual events, sources of a wide variety of valuable information, are produced by NPSOT Chapters around the state and are available to all members.
Native Plant Society State News
14 on the 14th: Designing a Native Garden for Winter Interest
A four-season landscape provides more than just year-round appeal. The berries, seeds, and evergreen shelter offered by native plants are a critical lifeline for local birds and other wildlife when resources are scarce.
2025 Patty Manning Undergraduate Scholarship Award Recipients
It is my great pleasure to announce the recipients of the 2025 Patty Manning Undergraduate Scholarship award for the calendar year 2026. Please see attachment for details, or click on
Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) Level 1
Click on the flyer to learn more about the NLCP or HERE for the current class schedule.
Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms in Mineola is a NICE nursery! They are a partner in the NICE (Natives Improve and Conserve Environments) Native Plant Partner program, 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. For more information about the Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms, click here. To search for other area nurseries supporting the NICE Native Plant program click here. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR NATIVE PLANT PARTNERS!
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