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Native Plant Society of Texas

Awards presented in Jasper

NPSOT Archive

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The Society rewarded achievements in the field of native plants at the Awards Banquet in Jasper during its 2008 Fall Symposium.

The Lynn Lowrey Memorial Award for horticultural achievement in the field of Texas native plants was awarded to Greg Grant, for development of Malvaviscus drummondii x M arborea, ‘Pam Puryear’ or Pink Turk’s Cap.

The Nancy Benedict Memorial Award for an act of conservation/public service in the field of Texas native plants was presented to Julie Shackleford on behalf of The Conservation Fund, for coordination of securing additional acreage to be part of Big Thicket National Preserve.

The Carroll Abbott Memorial Award for writings in the popular vein on Texas native plants was presented to Charles M. Allen, Ph.D; Dawn Allen Newman, M.S. and Harry Winters, M.D. for their book  Grasses of Louisiana, 3rd Ed.

The Donovan Stewart Correll Memorial Award for scientific writing in the field of the native flora of Texas was presented to  Jackie M. Poole, William R. Carr, Dana M. Price, and Jason R. Singhurst, for Rare Plants of Texas: A Field Guide.

The Charles Leonard Weddle Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants was presented to Carmine Stahl, storytelling naturalist, living encyclopedia, historian, expert in wild edibles and  native American plant use, and author.

Benny J Simpson Fellows Awards were presented to Kathy Saucier of Trinity Forks Chapter,and Marilyn and Dennis Perz of the Williamson County Chapter, Fellows Awards are awarded by popular vote  for service and work by a member for the enrichment of the Society.

The Caddo Wildflower Chapter was named Chapter of the Year by President Carol Feldman.

The Symposium was held in Jasper after Hurricane Ike caused damage to the planned site in Beaumont. The symposium was hosted by the Pineywoods Chapter, the Beaumont Chapter and the Houston Chapter, as well as the Louisiana Native Plant Society and the Big Thicket Association.

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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