Membership Contest 2023

About the Contest

It is time for all chapters to take part in the annual membership contest.

Two chapters are recognized: (1) the chapter with the largest numerical increase in primary memberships, and (2) the chapter with the greatest percentage increase in primary memberships.

Chapters with the highest numerical increase and highest percentage increase in primary memberships in the first quarter of 2023 will be recognized at the State Board meeting in May.

Deadline – April 30th

The timeframe to increase membership has been extended from January 1 to April 30 since the board meeting will be held in early May. Take advantage of this extra time to help your chapter reach new primary members and share our love of native plants with friends and neighbors.

Contest Rules

This is the eleventh year for the contest. Rules are the same as in previous years.

The number of primary memberships for each chapter on the morning of January 1 will be compared to the primary membership total for the morning of April 30, then the numerical increase and the percentage of increase will be calculated to determine the winners.


Membership has steadily increased since the first year of the contest. Bringing in new members gives new energy and experiences to chapters. Members can find many ideas to help their chapter on our website and in the Chapter Tool Chest. A tool that many chapters have found useful is a one-page tip sheet, Ten Tips for Increasing Membership, which can be found on the Membership tab of the Chapter Tool Chest.

Find your chapter’s numbers

Chapter leaders: View your chapter numbers in the Membership Portal.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason