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
2025 Member’s Regional NATIVE PLANT & SEED SWAP
2025 NPSOT Regional Plant Swap… What a great time we had together! Cindy Cronin shared her experience growing Buttonbush from seed, everyone had a chance to tell about the native
Clymer Meadow Preserve Field Trip – October 11
Clymer Meadow Preserve contains some of the largest and most diverse remnants of the Blackland Prairie. This 1,475 acre preserve offers a tallgrass prairie with abundant wildflowers, wildlife and wetland
Oct. 1 – L&P Chapter Meeting: Native Milkweed 101 with Diana Black
Join us to learn step-by-step how to successfully germinate milkweed seeds and help create more habitat for Monarch Butterflies
Sept. 27 – Lakes & Pines Chapter Fall Plant Sale
Join us at the Lakes and Pines NPSOT Native Plant Sale at the Yantis Prairie Day, 124 W. Oak in Yantis from 9:00 – 2:00pm.
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
West Texas Conservationist Mary Sirgo Joins the Native Plant Society of Texas as Executive Director
FREDERICKSBURG, Tex. The Native Plant Society of Texas, a Texas nonprofit organization promoting the conservation, study, and utilization of Texas native plants and plant habitats, happily announces the selection of
Cheers to 25 Years – A Memorable Evening for our 25th Anniversary!
Our special anniversary event on October 7th brought together current members, past members, and lots of friends and supporters to celebrate 25 years of working together for native plant conservation
We are (finally) on Instagram!
The Collin County Chapter is now on Instagram! Our new account, @npsotcollincounty, will feature local plant spotlights, event updates, and photos from members who are helping native plants thrive across
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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