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 Native Plant Society of Texas 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. The Lakes and Pines Chapter includes Wood and surrounding counties and takes in two Level 3 Ecoregions: the 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 chapter web site, you’ll find a wide variety of local and state-wide native plant information and resources, chapter news and events along with interesting programs and activities. We encourage you to get involved through membership, as a volunteer, or simply as someone interested in ecosystem sustainability. Feel free to use 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.
Lakes and Pines Chapter News
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.
Sept. 13 – Lakes & Pines Chapter Fall Plant Sale
Join us at the Lakes and Pines NPSOT Native Plant Sale at the Wood County Master Gardener HERB FEST 2025 at the Middle D Ranch, 431 CR 3135, Quitman
Sept. 3 Lakes & Pines Chapter Meeting – “Beneficial Critters” with Linda Timmons
The insects, animals, and other organisms that naturally help maintain a healthy ecosystem
Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) Level 1
Registration for the local Tyler, Tx Level 1 NLCP Class will open February 1. Class size is limited so mark your calendar to register on February 1 – availability will go quickly! Until then, you can click on the flyer to learn more about the NLCP. Click HERE to register on/after February 1 or to view the 2026 class schedule (it will be updated late January).
The NPSOT Invasive Species Committee is leading an Invasive Species Bioblitz. Due to inclement weather, we have extended the dates of the Invasive Species Bioblitz to run from Jan. 24 through Feb. 1. You can help by grabbing your phone and heading outside to capture invasive species in your area!
Here is all you need to do:
- Join the iNaturalist project here so your observations will count towards the NPSOT Invasive Species Bioblitz.
- Visit our Invasive Plant Database to see the invasive species we want to capture such as:
- Bastard Cabbage
- Chinaberry
- Elephant Ear
- Giant Reed… and more!
- Take photos and upload via the iNaturalist app during Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, January 25.
The goal of the Bioblitz is to build a picture of invaders in your area, in preparation for a “Great Pull” event in February (stay tuned).
The Chapter(s) with (1) the most observations and (2) the most participants will receive a prize!
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.
ADD YOUR GARDEN HERE ! Let’s grow native plants for Texas!
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
Harbingers of Spring
Kathy Saucier, our resident Certified Wildscape instructor, opens January with a challenge: find the harbingers of spring. Look closely! Not for migrating birds, but on the ground, past the grasses, past the leaf litter.
“Do you see those tiny rosettes that are nestled against the earth?”
Boerne Chapter Meeting February 3
We are excited to welcome Brenda Fest as our February speaker. Brenda is an active member of NPSOT-Boerne chapter and an instructor for NPSOT Boerne’s Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP).
February 3rd Meeting – Ecology and Beauty: Creating a Landscape that Welcomes Wildlife and People (Online only)
Our February 3 chapter meeting will be online only via Zoom. The speaker is Sarah F. Jayne – she is an environmentalist, educator, and wildlife advocate. Her book “Nature’s Action Guide: How to Support
Highland Lakes NPSOT Meeting: Saturday, 17 January “Spring and Early Summer Weather”
Bob Rose, the chief meteorologist for Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), is the speaker for the Highland Lakes Native Plant Society of Texas’ Chapter meeting on Saturday, 17 January 1:00-3:00 p.m.
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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