Jane Duke, Trinity Forks NPSOT, Managing Soil as an Ecosystem, North Central Chapter Meeting
2026-04-09 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Soil is not dirt—it is one of the most complex living ecosystems on Earth. A teaspoon of healthy soil contains billions of organisms working together in an intricate underground ecosystem. These tiny communities drive nutrient cycling, water retention, and plant health. When its biological community thrives, landscapes become more fertile, resilient, and self-sustaining. This talk reveals the hidden living world beneath our feet and shows how you can rebuild the soil food web to restore ecological function with an investment of time and not money.Jane Duke is a restoration ecologist, educator, and passionate advocate for biology-driven land renewal. She has served on the local boards of the Texas Master Naturalists and the Native Plant Society of Texas, completed the Soil Food Web Foundation Courses, and was certified in 2023 as a Soil Food Web Lab Technician. At the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, Jane leads hands-on restoration efforts which brings a grounded, practitioner’s perspective on how Soil Food Web principles look when applied under real Texas conditions.

6:30 Doors Open, Socializing and Snacks7:00 Chapter Meeting and AnnouncementsThe presentation will follow our brief business meeting.

LOCATIONFort Worth Botanic GardenRose Room3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107

VIRTUAL ZOOM REGISTRATION This meeting is hybrid and will be held in person and on Zoom. You can register in advance to receive the Zoom meeting link by clicking the GREEN BUTTON found at the top of the Calendar page on our website. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the online meeting.

FREEThis is a free event hosted by the North Central Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Our meetings are open to members and non-members. For more information about the North Central Chapter, and the benefits of membership, please visit our website.

Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants of Texas – Tough Plants for Tough Times – Williamson County Chapter Meeting, April 9
2026-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, April 9, 2026, when our featured topic will be Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants of Texas – Tough Plants for Tough Times with Lonnie Childs. Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. The guest presentation begins after a short business meeting.

Please note => The video for this month’s guest presentation will be available on YouTube for 30 days. We’ll publish a blog post on the NPSOT-Williamson County website the day the video is posted.

About our topic: This month’s presentation will provide background information on the agaves and yuccas found in Texas including their taxonomy and ethnobotanical uses and importance to indigenous cultures. We will examine some of the more common species and highlight their potential use in the home landscape.

About our speaker: Lonnie Childs enjoyed a 30-year career as a business executive before retiring to the Fredericksburg area to pursue his interests in history, nature, and land conservation. In 2004, he earned the Texas Master Naturalist designation and now serves as an instructor in that program. After serving as President of the Fredericksburg chapter of NPSOT, Lonnie was State President of NPSOT in 2012-2013. In 2017, the society awarded him the Benny Simpson Fellows Award for service to NPSOT. Lonnie currently serves as the Newsletter Editor and President of the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center.

==> This month’s in-person location is the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor, 402 West 8th St, Georgetown, TX 78626. Come early (6:30 PM) for expert advice, to check out the seed swap board, or just to visit.

==> To attend via Zoom, register at https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/IKtidaM8Q-aWs9g7KxlYhg#/registration

The original meeting announcement is here on the Williamson County Chapter’s blog page.

Palo Pinto Mountains Sate Park Native Plant Bed Workday, Volunteer Opportunity, Cross Timbers Chapter, Strawn, TX, Saturday, 04/11/2026 at 8 a.m.
2026-04-11 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
Spruce Up Days

Every 2nd Saturday we are planning to meet at the PPMSP Headquarters to spruce up the plant beds.

Bring buckets, shovels, hand trowels, rakes, gloves, and sun protection. Please clean them (Master Gardeners wipe them down with bleach) before heading to the park to keep the spread of disease down.

Time: 8am – 10 am

Address: 100 Park Road #77, Strawn, TX 76475

Contact Cheyna Kaspar with questions: cnpsot.vp@gmail.comOr Laura Sharp lmckee20@icloud.com

Spring Plant Sale
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Spring Plant Sale April 11, 2026

333 E Klingemann St, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Boerne: Second Saturday Workday at Cibolo Nature Center Demonstration Gardens
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Generally every second Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm is our monthly workday in the demonstration gardens at the Cibolo Nature Center. Typical activities include planting, weeding, nurturing, mulching, caging, etc.

Bring your favorite garden tools, gloves, sun and insect protection, and water to drink.

Learn planting techniques from an experienced native gardeners. Learn to identify native plants, the environmental niches they normally occupy, their use by wildlife, and their placement in landscapes to provide a pleasing vista. Help maintain our two demonstration gardens so we can continue to educate and promote native plants to our Hill Country friends!

Also, note that this “Second Saturday Workday” is approved as a Master Naturalist Volunteer Activity.

We maintain two demonstration gardens at the Cibolo Nature Center.

The first demonstration garden is located by the main parking lot area, and includes the central island and raised beds bordering the parking area. This garden is also where we teach students how to identify plants in the Native Landscape Certification Program classes.

The second demonstration garden at the Cibolo Nature Center is referred to as Bill’s Garden, in honor of Chapter founder and garden designer, Bill Ward. It is located in the shaded area between the Auditorium and Administrative buildings at the Cibolo Nature Center.

Join the fun loving group that helps the CNC and NPSOT demonstrate the use of native plants in gardens!

For more information contact Veronica Hawk at veronica.hawk@gmail.com.

Monarchs & Milkweed: Texas Gulf Coast Workshop
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Science-based monarch workshop and native milkweed giveaway

Instructor: Christine Anastas, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist

Monarch butterflies are among the most recognizable and beloved pollinators in Texas—but their migration is at risk. The Texas Gulf Coast plays an integral role in the survival of these iconic butterflies.

This educational workshop will explore the Monarch life cycle, their migration through Texas, and current scientific research, including studies on Tropical Milkweed, OE disease, and home Monarch rearing. Participants will leave equipped to become Monarch ambassadors in their communities.

To help turn learning into action, attendees will receive native milkweed plants, making it easy to support Monarch conservation right away. All NPSOT Clear Lake members will receive up to three native milkweed plants* for attending. Additionally, any attendee who brings in Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) for disposal will receive one native milkweed plant per Tropical Milkweed, up to three.

Whether you’re a gardener, nature enthusiast, or simply interested in protecting local wildlife, this workshop provides valuable, science-based information and a meaningful way to help Monarchs thrive along the Texas Gulf Coast.

*Members who register by January 31 will receive three native milkweed plants at the event; members who register after January 31 will receive two native milkweed plants.

LocationBayou Building, Garden Room (1510)University of Houston-Clear Lake2700 Bay Area BlvdHouston, TX 77058

Invasive Plant Pull and Garden Work Day – April 11th, Saturday, 9 AM-12 Noon
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Invasive Plant Pull

Make a difference for water, wildlife, and wild places at Lick Creek Park from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday March 14th and April 11th 9 AM- 12 noon. Volunteer to remove invasive plants and work in the demonstration garden at Lick Creek Park.

Field Trip: Greens Bayou Wetlands Mitigation Bank
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Date and Time: April 11, 2026 @9:00am

Meeting Location: We will be meeting at the south side of the intersection of Ralston Road and Beltway 8 feeder road. The field trip will be located behind a secured gate that will be locked behind the group. Please arrive by 9:15 or you will be unable to access the area. (GPS: 29.933496, -95.225616)

Things To Bring: Expect uneven, potentially saturated ground—boots or closedtoe shoes are required. Bug spray, sun protection, and adequate water are strongly recommended. Portions of the site lack shade, and depending on hydrologic conditions, we may traverse shallow inundation or soft soils, so dress accordingly and bring anything needed for personal comfort.

Field Trip Overview: The Greens Bayou Wetlands Mitigation Bank (GBWMB) offers a unique opportunity to examine how large-scale restoration design, compensatory mitigation requirements, and watershed-scale hydrologic management interact to shape habitat development in northeast Harris County. Implemented by the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), the mitigation bank was established to offset unavoidable wetland impacts associated with flood damage reduction projects throughout the region. The bank includes a mosaic of restored palustrine emergent, scrubshrub, and forested wetlands, along with native prairie and riparian buffers that tie into the broader Greens Bayou watershed.

The site’s restoration framework is centered around re-establishing historic hydrologic connectivity,regrading portions of the landscape to reintroduce appropriate microtopography, and implementing targeted plantings to accelerate community development. Over time, these interventions have encouraged a functional wetland complex characterized by a gradient of hydroperiods, supporting diverse vegetation from bottomland hardwood assemblages to persistent herbaceous wetlands, depending on elevation and soil moisture.

Because GBWMB is an active mitigation bank, it provides an excellent setting to discuss:– The role of soils, hydrology, and watershed function in guiding successful wetland establishment.– How invasive species pressure—particularly Chinese tallow and other woody colonizers—ismanaged within a compensatory mitigation framework.– The long-term monitoring and

Leader Bio: Andy Newman is a restoration ecologist, botanist, and longtime advocate for Texas native plant communities based in Houston. With more than 17 years of experience working across prairies, wetlands, forests, and riparian systems, Andy brings a sciencebased yet deeply observant approach to understanding landscapes. His work is rooted in careful attention to plant communities, ecological processes, and the stories written into the land by water, soils, disturbance, and time. Whether in the field or sharing knowledge with others, Andy emphasizes curiosity, observation, and respect for the complexity of natural systems.

As Vice President of the Native Plant Society of Texas – Houston Chapter, Andy is dedicated tostrengthening connections between people and the native landscapes of the Gulf Coast. He is an active speaker, mentor, and field educator, often blending science with creativity through nature journaling, scientific illustration, and art. These practices shape how he observes and communicates the natural world, helping make ecology more accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences. Andy looks forward to supporting the chapter’s mission through education, conservation, and thoughtfulstewardship—fostering a deeper appreciation for native plants and the ecosystems they sustain.

Additional Coordination Details: Please contact Bob Romero for any further coordination details atbobromero@gmail.com or by phone at (713) 248-6030.

Return to Houston Chapter Page

Garden Workday at the Moody Gardens Demonstration Bird Garden
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Galveston County Chapter has partnered with Moody Gardens to help maintain their native plant garden for birds! email us for details if you would like to join in!

BIRD GARDEN WORKDAY 3/21/2026

Using iNaturalist for the City Nature Challenge – Hybrid Clear Lake Chapter Meeting
2026-04-13 18:15 (America/New_York)
6:15 Doors Open – UHCL Bayou Building, Forest Room (B1430)6:40 Zoom Opens6:45 Business Meeting6:55 Plant of the Month7:00 Guest Speaker

Join us for an evening of delicious pizza, exciting door prizes, and the chance to connect with others while learning something new! Bring your own beverage.

Scott Buckel will introduce iNaturalist, a free app and online platform used to record observations of plants and animals. Learn how it works, why people use it, and how your observations can contribute to community science. The presentation will conclude with how to participate in the upcoming City Nature Challenge, a global event that encourages people to document local biodiversity.

About the Speaker

Scott Buckel spent his childhood days exploring the “wild” areas near his home in Houston. He developed an interest in animal behavior, which led him to study biochemistry in college. He also worked at maintaining fish, growing plants, and collecting marine invertebrates. He spent weekends looking for birds and other wildlife along the coast and piney woods of Texas.

Scott also studied photography on his own, driven in part by his continued interest in animal behavior. His skill improved, and the positive feedback he received fueled his growing passion for photography.

Scott’s interests compelled him to seek travel opportunities, which allowed him to observe and film nature. Through reading, workshops, and participation in photography clubs–in addition to a great deal of practice–he learned many ways to enhance his skills.

Through the years, his photographic interests expanded to include other forms and styles of photography. Film gave way to digital, and the tools available for digital photography allowed him to achieve the exceptional results he had always dreamed of. Now, much of the photography he does is to document nature, and he is an avid user of iNaturalist.

In-person – Parking Pass Required

DO NOT park in employee parking (enforced 24/7).

Clear Lake Chapter Members: If you have a pass, don’t forget it – you will not get another one if you picked one up previously. If you need a pass, arrive early enough to pick one up in the meeting room and place it in your car.

Visitors: Non-members may purchase a visitor parking permit at the kiosk in front of the Recreation Center or via T2 Mobile Pay.

Map and Directions – The meeting will be held in the Forest Room (B1430) of the Bayou Building, University of Houston-Clear Lake. Student lot D2 is closest to the Bayou Building.

University of Houston-Clear Lake2700 Bay Area Blvd.Houston, TX 77058

Online – Zoom

Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This is a FREE EVENT. Meetings are open to members and non-members. If you would like to become a member, you may join online. For more information about the Native Plant Society of Texas and the benefits of membership please visit: npsot.org.

Hosted by the Environmental Institute of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Pines and Prairies NLCP Committee Meeting
2026-04-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Dear NLCP Committee Members,

This Monday begins our first meeting of 2024. We will meet at 7:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month on this Zoom link:

https://npsot-org.zoom.us/j/87628189964?pwd=[REDACTED]

We’re a small committee, and we don’t get to see each other in person very often, so please plan to join with your camera on.

See you Monday!

—

Jay Gowen, NLCP Chair, Pines and Prairies Chapter, 832-513-5785 (cell)

Lindheimer Chapter Board Meeting
2026-04-14 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
The members of the Board meet the second Tuesday of each month at the Tye Preston Memorial Library in the Founder’s Room.

NPSOT Website Committee
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Open to any members who help manage content on their chapter or committee website.No registration required.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 897 7771 6314Passcode: [REDACTED]

Monthly Chapter Meeting
2026-04-15 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for our monthly chapter meeting! We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

More details are coming soon.

Elm Creek: Monthly Chapter Meeting
2026-04-15 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)

FEATHERFEST
2026-04-16 08:00 - 2026-04-19 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Our chapter will be at the 24th annual FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photo Festival this year along with other fabulous local conservation organisations. Come visit our table and see what this much loved event is all about. The demonstration garden we are helping maintain is next door to the event for easy viewing as well.

https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/

Boerne City Campus Natural Area (BCCNA) Workday
2026-04-16 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Join us for BCCNA workdays!

The BCCNA project involves the restoration and enhancement of the Boerne City Campus Natural Area (BCCNA). The BCCNA is comprised of 13-acres on either side of the Old No. 9 Trail, behind the library. We are working towards restoring this area to a native pollinator habitat, creating a wildlife corridor and haven within the city.

BCCNA Workdays take place on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Our meeting place will be in the Boerne Patrick Heath Public Library parking lot near the windmill. If you don’t see us at the windmill, walk out behind the library across the creek as we’ve likely already started!

Each volunteer will be required to fill out the City of Boerne’s liability waiver the first time he or she volunteers.

Contact Jeff Schwarz at jeffschwarz27@gmail.com for more info.

Chapter Leader Forum: Volunteer Coordination
2026-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Topic: How to rally your volunteers and run successful events. Potential Speakers: TBDRegistration Link: https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/w-lAoW0ISGmEk8rnJ5kgEg

Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Houston Chapter Meeting - April 16
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Mark your calendar — we’re working on something amazing, and we can’t wait to share more with you as everything comes together.

About the Speaker

We are lining up an inspiring and educational speaker, and we’ll be revealing their story very soon. Stay tuned — you won’t want to miss this!

Our monthly chapter meetings are held on every 3rd Thursday, January – November. Our meetings are free and open to the public thanks to our members and sponsors.

The presentation will start at 7:00 pm, but come at 6:45 pm for a meet and greet with snacks.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

610 Entrance (preferred)120 W Loop N FwyHouston, TX 77024

Woodway Entrance4501 Woodway DriveHouston, TX 77024

Meetings will also be live-streamed and recorded for later viewing.

Return to Houston Chapter Page

Pines & Prairies Chapter Meeting
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Details will be emailed to members

Cell Phone Video Production Webinar
2026-04-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Most people have a powerful video production tool in the palm of their hand but don’t know how to use it. In “Cell Phone Video Production”, Lee Smith will help you unleash the storyteller within you. He will discuss basic composition and production techniques to record the all necessary content for you to tell compelling stories. He will guide you through what phone settings to use and what accessories to add (and avoid). Editing workflow to complete your program will also be covered, along with exporting your story to social media. BIO: Lee Smith is an Emmy award winning video producer with over 40 years of professional experience. He is one of the original producers of the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS series. His work has spanned local news, as the Outdoors Reporter for KVUE-TV in Austin, to international events with ABC Sports, including the Winter and Summer Olympic Games and the Super Bowl. Now on his third tour with TPWD, Lee is the solo video producer for the Wildlife Division.

Registration Link: https://npsot-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/KRvuGLzORjKu_zFm-9AZ4Q

Plant Propagation 101 with Diana Black (RSVP Required)
2026-04-17 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
This is a great opportunity to get your hands dirty and learn how to propagate our native plants! Classes will be held at Diana’s home at 2:00 on March 20, April 3, and April 17. Please notify Diana or another officer that you plan to attend.

Natives 101
2026-04-18 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
At the Headwaters of the Comal 333 E. Klingmann St.

Earth Day at Headwaters at the Comal
2026-04-18 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)

Lakes & Pines Demonstration Garden Work Day at Wood County Arboretum
2026-04-18 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
You’re invited to grab your garden tools and join us at the garden or just come out and say hello and take in the sublime natural beauty of springtime on the arboretum grounds. Feel free to bring a companion and share with others what our chapter is all about. We’ll meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 12:00.

Spring Native Plant Sale - Open to the Public
2026-04-18 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Planting season will be here soon! Come check out what our native plant growers have to offer at the Spring Native Plant Sale at the Herff Farm Teaching Barn. Open to the Public.

Take advantage of this opportunity to easily obtain native plants suited for our ecoregion. Along with making your space beautiful, you’ll be providing food and habitat for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. Many native plants even do well in containers!

This spring we expect to have a huge selection of native plants available for sale.

Join us on Saturday, April 18th! NPSOT members will be on hand to answer your gardening and native plant questions!

Trinity Forks Chapter 2026 Spring Plant Sale
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm or sellout

Location: Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church, 6101 Morriss Road, Flower Mound. We’ll be right at the entrance to the parking lots, so don’t miss these great opportunity to get your native plants!

For more information, please visit our Plant Sale page

We’ll have:Over 2000 native plantsKnowledgeable volunteersLow prices

Bring your own flats or boxes and cash, check or credit card! We’ll see you there!

Lake Mineral Wells State Park Pollinator Garden Work Day, Volunteer Opportunity, Cross Timbers Chapter, Mineral Wells, Saturday, 4/18/2026 at 10 a.m.
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
🌿 Calling All Native Plant Enthusiasts! 🌿 Be a Pollinator Protector! 🐝🌸

Join us for a morning of volunteer magic at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. 🌼✨

You can help maintain the pollinator garden at Lake Mineral Wells State Park! 🌼🦋 This wonderful community effort supports our local ecosystems and provides habitat to facilitate the important work of pollinators. This garden provides educational information to visitors and is utilized by the park staff to explain the importance of native plants and their benefits.

Here are some suggestions on clothing and what to bring:

Work Clothing: Wear comfortable work clothing appropriate for the weather. Layers are great for adjusting to changing conditions.

Gloves: If you have gardening gloves, bring them along. They’ll protect your hands while working with plants and soil.

Gardening Tools: If you own any gardening tools, such as nippers, shovels, spades, pitchforks, or wheelbarrows, feel free to bring them. Buckets and brooms are also useful. These tools can be incredibly helpful for various tasks.

Water: Stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle to keep yourself refreshed during the work.

Hat: A hat with a wide brim provides shade for your face, neck, and ears, protecting you from direct sunlight. It helps prevent sunburn and reduces the risk of skin damage caused by UV radiation. In case of cooler weather, wear a hat to keep warm.

Additional Details:

If the temperature is below 40°F or if it’s raining, the workday will be canceled.

For any specific questions or further information, you can reach out to Cindy Crump at cindyleecrump@gmail.com or Vicki Brooks at vicki.brooks@icloud.com

Location:

Lake Mineral Wells State Park, 100 Park Road 71, Mineral Wells, Texas.

Before entering the park gates, take a left into the administration building parking lot.

Meeting Point:

Meet at the garden located near the administration building entrance (before paying at the gate).

Let’s come together and contribute to the beauty and health of our local environment! 🌿🌸

Volunteer hours count towards Texas Master Naturalist and Texas Master Gardeners.

2nd Annual East Texas Fire and Nature Festival
2026-04-18 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Join Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and our partners for a free event all about nature, prescribed fire and how it benefits humans and wildlife alike! Join us for a day of nature-based hands-on activities aimed at families, as well as short, guided walks and special speaker presentations. There will be a variety of fire engines and equipment on-site and a live demonstration of prescribed fire. The fire demonstration is weather-dependent. We also have door prizes!

Both the hikes and the presentations will meet at the Nature Center building.

Guided walks will take place on a variety of surface types and will last 20-30 minutes, starting every hour from 10:00 until end of event. Please note there is no hike at noon. More information will be updated as details are confirmed. For more info, click HERE.

NICE Partner Plant Sale at the Nectar Bar
2026-04-18 10:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Please save the date for another chapter fundraiser: our NICE Partner Plant Sale at the Nectar Bar on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Stop by and pick up a unique native plant for your spring garden! Every purchase will result in a donation to our chapter.

Volunteer Opportunity:We are looking for 8 volunteers to serve as plant associates in assisting customers in plant selection. There are multiple shift times to choose from between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. If you are able to help, you can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45AAAB2BA3FAC43-62434321-nice

If you can’t work a shift, please calendar this event so you can stop by and pick up a unique native plant for your spring garden! Every purchase will result in a donation to our chapter.
