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Native Plant Society of Texas

Nominations Are Open for 2026 Annual Awards!

Renata Lucia

Nominations are now open for the annual awards recognizing the achievements of individuals and groups whose work enriches our understanding and appreciation of Texas native plants.  The awards are:

NATIVE STAR AWARD honoring an organization, agency, or group for a specific act of conservation or public service in the field of Texas native plants;

DIGITAL MEDIA AWARD for an outstanding digital publication featuring Texas native plants;

MARY JO LAUGHLIN AND EULA WHITEHOUSE MEMORIAL AWARD for visual art that illustrates, interprets, or promotes Texas native plants;

SHIRLEY D LUSK MEMORIAL AWARD honoring a NPSOT member, who has collected, preserved, and contributed over 150 herbarium specimens of Texas native plants for public education;

CARROLL ABBOTT MEMORIAL AWARD for writings in the popular vein on Texas native plants;

DONOVAN STEWART CORRELL MEMORIAL AWARD for scientific writing in the field of the native flora of Texas;

NANCY BENEDICT MEMORIAL AWARD honoring an individual for an act of conservation/public service in the field of Texas native plants; 

LYNN LOWREY MEMORIAL AWARD for horticultural achievement;

CHARLES LEONARD WEDDLE MEMORIAL AWARD for lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants.

 Rules & Qualifications:
  • Anyone may submit a nomination.
  • Except for the Shirley Lusk Memorial Award, nominees do not need to be NPSOT members.
  • Publications or acts must be within the past five years.
  • Only one recipient will be selected per award, and an award need not be given every year.
  • No one individual, group, or organization may win more than one award in any calendar year.
  • A person may receive a specific award only once.  View previous award winners here.
  • Recipients will be honored at the Fall Symposium, but need not be present. Recipients receive a complimentary Single Day Symposium registration with awards banquet ticket for themselves, as well as a guest banquet ticket. Transportation and lodging are not included.
  • The State Board may also give special awards. 


Please submit nominations by midnight on May 31, 2026.  Include details of the nominee’s work, with photos if available, a copy of or link to any publication, and complete contact information for the nominees and submitter.

Submit a Nomination

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