Annual meeting elects new officers

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At the Annual Meeting in Kerrville on October 6, the Native Plant Society of Texas elected new officers and adopted five amendments to its Bylaws.

The following members will serve on the Executive Board:

Lonnie Childs, President
Dell Hood, VP Administration
Ricky Linex, VP Advocacy
Cathy Lustgarten, VP Chapter Liaison
Bill Hopkins, VP Communications
Dawn Hancock, VP Education
Christine Powell, VP Environmental Liaison
Cecil Carter, VP Finance
Cynthia Maguire, Past President

Ricky Linex and Cecil Carter are new to the Board. Each of the others served in the same capacity in the previous term.

One of the Bylaw amendments approved at the meeting changed the terms for elected office from one year to two years. Four other Bylaw changes were also approved. For a complete discussion of all the amendments see this earlier story.

View a slideshow of photos taken during the meeting.

 

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

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