by the Native Plant Society of Texas Awards Committee
Every year the Native Plant Society of Texas recognizes organizations and individuals that advance our mission. Their work will be honored during our 2025 Fall Symposium held October 3-5th, in Salado, Texas. Have a look at the extensive overview of all symposium activities on our website. You can attend in person or virtually by registering here and enjoy the stories of extraordinary people from all over Texas who have done wonderful things that champion our mission. Our Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 4th will feature presentations from our awardees and celebrate the results of our photo, newsletter, and video contests. The evening is a fun and exciting event that we hope you will attend.
Benny J. Simpson Fellow Honorees
Benny J. Simpson Fellows honor is presented to individuals whose work enriches the Society at the state or chapter level. They are chosen by the membership from a list of members with a minimum of ten years of continuous commendable service. This year’s Fellows are (left to right) Cindy McInturff (Dallas Chapter), Jerry Morrisey (San Antonio Chapter), and Lee Winkler (Highland Lakes Chapter).
State Board Awards: Appreciation, Native Star and Digital Media
Native Star Award is for a specific act of conservation or public service in the field of Texas native plants. The award goes to the Northside ISD Curriculum and Instruction Elementary Science Department in San Antonio, TX for their Environmental Science Programs. These programs include native plant efforts for Project ACORN (Area Children Organized to Replant Natives) and native trees for the CANOPY (Cultivating and Nurturing Our Planet’s Youth) project. (Shown left to right are Northside ISD personnel Amalia Sollars, Kristen Conrad, and Isaac Esquivel.)
Digital Media Award recognizes outstanding digital publications featuring Texas native plants. The award goes to Craig Dalton for his exceptional contributions to our website and Native Plant Database at www.npsot.org as the Native Plant Society Webmaster.
Memorial Awards
The Society has seven awards that help us to stay connected to the people from the past who were important in the study and advancement of Texas native plants and to people who founded and developed our Society. Through these awards we show our respect and admiration for those who are continuing these efforts today.
The Mary Jo Laughlin and Dr. Eula Whitehouse Memorial Award is awarded for visual art that illustrates, interprets, or promotes Texas native plants. The award goes to Samantha Melvin for her “Fleeting Landscapes” public murals in Round Rock, TX.
The Shirley Lusk Memorial Award honors a community scientist for collecting and preserving Texas native plants for public education by providing outstanding contribution of herbarium vouchers. The award goes to Kelsey Wogan for collecting herbarium voucher specimens at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX.
The Donovan Stewart Correll Memorial Award is for scientific writing in the field of the native flora of Texas. The award goes to Andrea DeLong-Amaya, for her book The Texas Native Plant Primer: 225 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden, an accessible and colorful guide to planting native for home gardeners at every level of expertise.
The Carroll Abbott Memorial Award is for writings in the popular vein on Texas native plants. The award goes to Lindsey Townsend for her outstanding service as Magazine Editor of our Texas Native Plants quarterly publication.
Nancy Benedict Memorial Award is for a specific act of conservation or public service in the field of Texas native plants. The award goes to Julie Ann Fineman on behalf of the Constellation of Living Memorials. The Constellation of Living Memorials, which was featured in the 2025 NPSOT Spring Symposium, exists to transform neglected historic cemeteries into living, regenerative memorial landscapes that honor those interred, restore native ecosystems, and cultivate community stewardship, education, and well-being.
The Lynn Lowrey Memorial Award is for horticultural achievement. The award goes to Donald and Melanie Gerber for their native plant nursery, Pollinatives, which offers Central Texas native plants for home habitat, wildlife, and pollinator gardens. Pollinatives serves San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas.
The Charles Leonard Weddle Memorial Award is for lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants. The award goes to Judit Green for extensive work promoting native plants as an Urban Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and co-founding the Texas Master Naturalist Program started in San Antonio, TX.
Society presidents have the privilege to award honors at their discretion. This year President Ricky Linex is awarding one President’s Award to Meade LeBlanc of the Clear Lake Chapter for outstanding service on the 2025 Executive Committee, including exemplary leadership as VP Finance and assuming additional responsibilities as acting VP Chapter Liaison.
The 2025 Fall Symposium is just around the corner! If you would like to meet some these amazing people, or listen to them share their story, register for the event either in person or online.
