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Native Plant Society of Texas

NLCP

About Native Landscape Certification Program

About this Program

The Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) is a series of day-long classes that teach best practices for native plant landscaping – including wildlife habitat gardening. Each class consists of a classroom-type training session and a plant identification section. We show you plants native to the local ecoregion, illustrating their use in the landscape. You will also see common non-native plants which may take over our natural areas. In each level you are presented 45 native Texas plants recommended for your landscape and 5 plants to avoid. Classes are adapted to the area in which they are offered.

Targeted audiences include homeowners, native plant enthusiasts, landscape architects, landscape designers, nursery and landscape maintenance employees, park employees, Texas Master Naturalists, Texas Master Gardeners, teachers, and other interested paries.

Can qualify for TNLA CEUs, ASLA self-reported hours, TMG and TMN hours.

We look forward to working with you to increase your appreciation and use of native plants in landscapes, including

  • emphasizing a sense of place for residents and visitors,
  • increasing the presence of desirable wildlife species,
  • reducing the use of water and other precious resources, and
  • enhancing and protecting our natural world.

NLCP is a state-wide program, but classes focus on the characteristics and plants of the region in which they are taught. Please register for classes located in the region in which you wish to landscape.

Steering Committee

Since 2014, the Native Landscape Certification Program has been run by a Steering Committee reporting to the State Board of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Day to day operations are handled by an NLCP Coordinator under the guidance of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee meets regularly, usually once a month. If you would like to contact the Steering Committee about a concern or an idea, please use the form below and note that you are directing the message to the Steering Committee.

Contact Native Landscape Certification Program

To learn more about the landscaping program and scheduled classes, please contact Linda Foss, NLCP Coordinator.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason