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The Native Plant Society of Texas recognized excellence in writing, acts of conservation and public service, and lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants during the annual awards banquet in Corpus Christi on October 19.
Geyeta Ajilsvgi won the Carroll Abbott Memorial Award for her popular book Butterfly Gardening for Texas. The award is named for the founder of the Society and is given for writings in the popular vein on Texas native plants. This is her second time to receive this award. In 1993 it was presented for her earlier book Butterfly Gardening for the South.
Robert B. Shaw was recognized with the Donovan Stewart Correll Award in the field of scientific writing about native flora for his book Guide for Texas Grasses. This comprehensive book contains 1,080 pages and covers 670 varieties of native, introduced and ornamental grasses.
Ilse Meier was presented with the Nancy Benedict Award for conservation and public service for her work in restoring 170 acres of land near Copperas Cove.
Photo by Alan Middleton
Owen Yost was presented with the Charles Leonard Weddle Award for lifetime achievement for his tireless efforts to raise awareness of the importance of native plants and wildlife habitats. Yost is a retired landscape architect in Denton who has published countless articles in popular publications, including articles on our own website and in our member magazine.
Recipients are chosen by an Awards Committee appointed by the State Board. Awards are presented annually during the Fall Symposium each October. Cynthia Maguire chaired the committee and presented the awards. Other committee members were Leslie Bush, Ginger Frazier, and Peter Schaar. The awards criteria and a complete list of past winners is available on the Awards page.
In addition Cathy Downs, Melissa Miller, Rhoda Poenisch and Deedy Wright were recognized by President Lonnie Childs for their service to the Society. The San Antonio Chapter was named Chapter of the Year.
Lonnie and Rhoda organized the symposium and served as co-chairs. Photo by Bill Hopkins
Cathy Lustgarten of the Trinity Forks Chapter and Suzanne Young of the Boerne Chapter were selected by vote of their fellow members for Benny J Simpson Awards for their service and work at both the chapter and state level.
The awards were presented at a banquet culminating a three day event of workshops, presentations and field trips centered around the theme of the South Texas Plains ecoregion. Over 200 people attended. A silent auction and raffle organized by Betsy Farris and Tricia Hopkins raised hundreds of dollars to benefit the Kate Hillhouse Scholarship Fund.
The symposium and awards banquet was hosted by the South Texas Chapter. Members of the organizing committee included Rhoda Poenisch, chair, and Cecil Carter, Pam Middleton, John Nikolatos, Deedy Wright and Monta Zengerle.
Read more about the event and see a photo slideshow.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: julieallen
