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2024 Fall Symposium

Photo credit: Kathleen Scott, Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) in Landa Lake, Landa Park

"Preserving Our Botanical Heritage"

The NPSOT 2024 Fall Symposium is coming to New Braunfels, Texas with the theme of Preserving Our Botanical Heritage!
(Photo credit: Kathleen Scott, Bald Cypress in Landa Lake, Landa Park)

In-person registration has closed but you can still register for the virtual event !

Event Overview

The 2024 NPSOT Fall Symposium Committee invites you to join NPSOT members from across Texas for three days of camaraderie, learning and sharing about native plants. To be held from the 10th to 12th of October in New Braunfels, the full schedule will include 20 insightful presentations, a choice of local guided field trips, the Annual State Meeting of Members,  evening event options, our Annual Awards Banquet and much more. 

Building on a historical perspective, we will explore how the ecology of Texas has changed since European settlers arrived three centuries ago.  Several plenary speakers will examine the challenges caused by rapid population growth in our region as well as recent climate change and drought conditions.  But most importantly, numerous speakers will offer solutions on how communities and individuals can conserve natural areas, increase the resilience of our existing plant communities, improve wildlife habitat, and restore soil health. 

The New Braunfels Civic Convention Center will serve as the symposium headquarters with NPSOT group-rate lodging available at The Resort at Schlitterbahn and other area hotels.  Attendees can participate in our silent auction and visit vendor, exhibitor, and sponsor displays at the Civic Center. In addition, a list of suggested self-guided field trips will be available for those traveling on Thursday and Sunday. This hybrid event includes registration options for in-person and virtual attendance, with in-person Society member and scholastic discounts. Please explore the Symposium Details below

About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion.

2024 Fall Symposium Details

HEB Logo

Our Sponsors

By becoming a sponsor, these organizations and individuals help underwrite symposium costs and fulfill one of the basic tenets of our Society’s mission!

Schedule

This schedule will give you a great overview of the symposium events!

Self-Guided Field Trips

Self-guided field trips are interesting stops and field trips you can take on your own while traveling to and from the symposium or during down time. No NPSOT registration is required for self-guided field trips, but please check with any site of interest to plan your visit

Downtown Social Interior

Evening Events

The fun continues after dark with an offering of optional symposium events! These events require an additional fee or an RSVP selected during your registration as specified…

New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center Exterior

Venues

Native Plant Society 2024 Fall Symposium events will take place at these venues…

Group of people browsing items organized on folding tables

Silent and Online Auctions

Silent and Online Auctions support the Kate Hillhouse Scholarship Fund and the Ann Miller Gonzalez Research Grant Fund.

Schlitterbahn Resort New Braunfels Riverbend Cabin View

Lodging

Special hotel rates are available for a limited time at a variety of price points for NPSOT 2024 Symposium Attendees – don’t wait, book now!

Chapter Sponsorship

We welcome Native Plant Society of Texas chapter donations to help the Society keep registration costs down and host the best fall symposium yet! Chapter Sponsorship at the Firewheel Level or above is a great way to sponsor registration costs for a chapter member of your choosing to attend the symposium!

Symposium FAQs

This section will include anticipated and frequently asked Fall Symposium questions throughout the registration period.

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. 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