Symposium FAQs

Small child watering native plants
Small child watering native plants; Photo Credit Carina Costa

This section will include anticipated and frequently asked Fall Symposium questions throughout the registration period. If you need additional clarification, please email admin-assist@npsot.org.

Can I register more than one person in a single transaction?

No. Only one attendee may be registered per transaction, and each attendee must be registered with their own name (i.e., do not register yourself twice.) To register someone other than yourself, simply start a new transaction, uncheck “include myself as an attendee” (found just above the liability statement), and complete the attendee’s name, contact information and selections, and submit the registration.

Do I need to select my concurrent sessions during registration this year?

No! Concurrent sessions are open seating this year and first-come, first served. The auditorium has seating for 300, the Band Room for 75, the Choir Room for 60, and the Classroom for 30, so it is expected that there will be plenty of room to accommodate registrants for each session. 

What should I do if my completed registration is missing items or I’ve made an incorrect selection?

Email admin-assist@npsot.org as soon as the error is noticed and one of our Administrative Assistants will help you correct your registration. 

When will registration close?

Registration for the In-person Event closes at midnight on Thursday, 09/12/2024. Registration for the Virtual Event closes the day of the event, on Friday 10/03/2024 at 9:00 AM.

What is the In-Person registration cancellation policy?

Cancellations made by Tuesday, September 16th are eligible for a refund. Upon cancellation, a $10 handling fee is deducted from the refund. Contact our Administrative Assistants at admin-assist@npsot.org (preferred) or 830-997-9272 Ext 0 to request a cancellation. Fees may not be applied to future events or transferred to another person. Thanks for your understanding in this matter.

 

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 fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason