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Native Plant Society of Texas

Send nominations for our annual awards

NPSOT Archive

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Nominations are now being accepted for the Native Plant Society of Texas annual awards for 2015.

Cynthia Maguire presents author Jim Stanley with the Carroll Abbott Award at the 2012 symposium in Kerrville
Cynthia Maguire presents author Jim Stanley with the Carroll Abbott Award at the 2012 symposium in Kerrville

Each Fall the Society presents awards to recognize excellence in writing, acts of conservation and public service, and lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants. Nominations are made by members and chosen by an Awards Committee headed by Chair Linda Knowles. The awards will be presented at a banquet during the Fall Symposium in October.

When submitting a nominee for one of these awards, please provide a brief, but thorough explanation of the nominee’s accomplishments that qualify them for the award.

The list of awards decided by the Awards Committee is as follows:

  • The Carroll Abbott Memorial Award is given for writings in the popular vein on Texas native plants. Named after the founder of the Society.
  • The Digital Media Award recognizes outstanding digital publications in the field of Texas native plants (distinguishes digital publications from printed publications)
  • The Donovan Stewart Correll Memorial Award is presented for scientific writing in the field of the native flora of Texas.
  • The Nancy Benedict Memorial Award honors an individual for a specific act of conservation or public service in the field of Texas native plants. This is neither a “joiner” nor a “lifetime of service” award.
  • The Native Star Award is given in recognition of a specific act or program of conservation/public service by an organization or agency in the field of Texas native plants (previously included as part of the Nancy Benedict Memorial Award)
  • The Charles Leonard Weddle Memorial Award is awarded for lifetime achievement in the field of Texas native plants.
  • The Lynn Lowrey Memorial Award is presented for horticultural achievement in the field of Texas native plants.

A list of previous award winners is here.

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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