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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

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