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Native Plant Society of Texas

Houston Chapter

Accepting Applications to Our Wildscapes Grant Program Now thru Feb. 29

Native Plant Society of Texas – Houston chapter is proud to announce that we have revamped our Wildscapes Grant Program. Funding availability has increased to $2,000 per project, and we are now distributing funding pools twice a year. Applications received by Feb. 29 will be considered in March with funds distributed in April. Applications received after Feb. 29 but before July 31 will be considered in August with funds distributed in October.

We encourage all community organizations seeking funding for native plant landscaping project to apply! Projects that impact underserved areas will be especially considered. The goals of our grant program are to increase education, participation, and habitat conservation.

To apply please visit https://www.npsot.org/chapters/houston/programs/wildscapes-grant-program/ and read all guidelines and criteria. The application is a google document. Please make a copy of the document, fill it out, and email to nphouston1@gmail.com. Please do not request edit access of the google document. If you require assistance with the application process, please email Reba Wiles at rwiles104@gmail.com. We at NPSOTH look forward to partnering with you!

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