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Native Plant Society of Texas

Lakes and Pines Chapter

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

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. Get one ticket for a $1 donation or 5 tickets for $3. Winner(s) announced at end of monthly meetings. We appreciate your support of our fundraising efforts!

Lakes and Pines Chapter News

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. 

View Calendar

Native Plant Society State News

Tips for Working With Your HOA

By Nancy Saint, Houston Chapter I had a frustrating visit last year from one of the two people on my Homeowner’s Association (HOA) Architectural Committee (AC). ACs are responsible for overseeing

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Photographing Biodiversity

Matt Buckingham is a naturalist, photographer, and protected species biologist based out of Lufkin. Matt received a bachelors in wildlife management from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in 2007. In 2011 Matt graduated from SFA with a masters in biology with an emphasis on ecology and evolutionary biology. For his thesis, Matt studied the bird communities of Iguazu National Park, Argentina. Matt has a long history of working as a biologist with various species including American alligators, Neotropical migrant songbirds, Snowy Plovers in the Texas panhandle, and secretive marshbirds in the Chesapeake Bay. Matt previously worked as a conservation biologist for Bayou Land Conservancy, a land trust in the Houston area and as a biologist Texas Department of Transportation, where he worked on endangered species conservation, road ecology research, finding innovate ways to reduce impacts to wildlife from road construction activities, and developing solutions for wildlife/vehicle conflicts. Matt also worked as a biologist for the U.S. Fish and WIldlife Service with federally listed, proposed, and review species. Matt currently works for Ecosystem Planning and Restoration, LLC, where he works on research, conservation, and mitigation projects. Matt also works as a freelance photographer and author, and his images and articles have been published in a variety of magazines. Matt lives in Lufkin with his wife and son and spends as much time as possible exploring the Pineywoods around their home and beyond.

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We are pleased to announce that the Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms in Mineola is a NICE nursery!  They have become 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!

Keep Up With Our Chapter Activities Through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Email Us

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 four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason