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Native Plant Society of Texas

Accepting Grant Applications: Sept 1 – Oct 15 2024

Craig Dalton

The Native Plant Society of Texas offers the following research grant to graduate students at Texas universities who are performing academic research related to Texas native plants and/or to the conservation and restoration of native plant habitats of Texas: Ann Miller Gonzalez Graduate Research Grant

This research grant is named in honor of an early supporter of Texas native plants. The award amount is up to $2500 for the duration of the grantee’s research project.

The grant application period will open on September 1, 2024, and close on October 15, 2024.

Grant(s) will be disbursed by February 1, 2025. The Grants & Scholarships Committee administers all student awards. For more information or questions about the research grant, please contact grants@npsot.org.

Application available September 1, 2024.

See the 2023 Ann Miller Gonzalez Graduate Research Grant recipients.

The Native Plant Society provides research grants and scholarships to talented students every year. To donate to the Ann Miller Gonzales Graduate Research Grant or to one of the Scholarship funds, please donate here.

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