As 2022 draws to a close, it’s continuing to be a strange weather year. We had no spring or fall this year to speak of. At Thanksgiving, a time where our fall foliage is usually at its best, there was almost nothing – just brownish leaves getting ready to fall. However, a few days ago, I pulled out of my drive and my Cedar Elm had gone from a dull golden brown to a glorious yellow. Driving around Somervell County, there were suddenly lots of beautiful trees. I hope that you’re also having bright spots of color right now. Looks like it won’t last and the leaves will fall quickly now.
The long-range forecast for winter is warmer and dry (don’t let these recent rainfalls fool you). If you’ve planted new plants this fall, remember to periodically water them during their dormant season.
Since we don’t have regular programming in December, I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk to everyone about the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT). We have many people on our mailing list and are happy to send this newsletter out to you. In addition, our meetings are always open to the public at no charge. However, few of you are members of NPSOT, and I suspect most of you don’t have any idea of what this organization is or does. I encourage you to join our state organization and select Prairie Rose as your chapter.
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS
The mission of the Native Plant Society of Texas is to promote research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.
Texas is one of the most biologically diverse states, with over 5,000 species of native plants. The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with more than 30 chapters across Texas that work to further its mission.
NPSOT holds a spring symposium every year in conjunction with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and a fall annual meeting.
Each year there are classes scheduled around Texas on various subjects. Our most important is the Landscape Certification Program, levels 1 – 4. Currently all classes are on Zoom, but that’s subject to change. There are fees for these classes. Registration for classes opens February, 2023.
The Native Plant Society of Texas is proud to be affiliated with many organizations who share and support our mission. Some of these organizations are Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Native Prairie Association of Texas, Monarch Watch and Monarch Joint Venture.
Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas
Monarch garden grants
The Native Plant Society of Texas awards small grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development of Monarch demonstration gardens or Monarch Waystations using native plants on public sites in Texas. The purpose of this program is to educate members, applicants, and the public about Monarch conservation and native plants, and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway. This grant cannot be used by private citizens to enhance private property for personal use.
Grants are funded by Native Plant Society of Texas, Monarch Watch, Monarch Joint Venture, and by individual donations to the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas (BBMT) program.
Registering your garden as a Monarch Waystation is encouraged but not required under the terms of the grant.
Monarch waystations on Interstate 35
In 2016, the Native Plant Society of Texas designed and installed Monarch Waystations featuring native pollinator plants at Texas Department of Transportation highway rest stops in Hill County and Bell County, with partial funding by a grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. A grand opening event was held at the Hill County rest stops during Texas Native Plant Week in October 2016.
As described by Monarch Watch, Monarch Waystations provide milkweeds, nectar sources, and shelter that Monarch butterflies need as they migrate through North America.
Female Monarchs only lay their eggs on milkweeds and a few other plants in the same plant family. Most of the Monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains migrate south to Mexico each winter and return north in the spring, traveling twice through Texas along a corridor that roughly corresponds to the path of Interstate Highway 35.
Research Grants
NPSOT offers grants to Texas university graduate students to support research projects related to Texas native plants or the conservation and restoration of Texas native plant habitats.
Scholarships
There are two scholarships offered for undergraduates at Texas colleges who major in biology, horticulture or related fields and who will be juniors or seniors in Fall 2022.
Awards
Both individuals and organizations are recognized with annual awards.
Our Memorial Awards are selected by the Awards Committee, a select group of members appointed by the state board and chaired by the president-elect. Members may also choose to participate in the process by nominating worthy candidates. Nominations are now open for these awards; submit your nominations via this Nomination Form no later than May 31, 2022, to be considered for the awards this year.
Our Fellows Awards are members who have been singled out by their fellow members for their work for the Society at the state or local level.
Presidential awards are selected by the president of the Society. Once in a while the State Board will also choose to recognize exceptional service with a special award
What is Texas Native Plant Week?
To recognize the role of native plants in conservation and to provide incentive for schools to teach children about the importance of native plants, in 2009 the Texas Legislature designated the third week in October as Texas Native Plant Week.
Many organizations and communities recognize Texas Native Plant Week with festive events, native plant sales, educational opportunities and outside activities. Look for events to attend in your community, or celebrate by just getting outside and enjoying our wonderful Texas native plants. Prairie Rose Chapter always holds our annual fall plant sale during or close to native plant week.
In addition, there is a lot of information on the main NPSOT web site, as well as opportunities to sign up for classes, donate specifically to scholarships or programs such as Bring Back the Monarchs as well as becoming a member. We hope that you’ll consider joining us. We feel NPSOT is an important organization and can be instrumental in everyone utilizing native plants in their landscape. The main web site is www.www.npsot.org.