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Native Plant Society of Texas

Clear Lake Chapter

Six Projects Awarded a Native Pollinator Habitat Grant

Galveston County Master Gardeners Pollinator Habitat in the Discovery Garden at Carbide Park. Photo by Vicki Blythe.

We are thrilled to announce the six grant winners for our chapter’s Native Pollinator Habitat Grant Program. Each of these projects demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering native pollinator habitats and furthering the cause of environmental conservation in our community.

Here are the recipients:

JP Cornelius Elementary PTO (Houston ISD): This initiative promises to create a thriving native pollinator garden at JP Cornelius Elementary, enriching the learning environment for students while supporting local wildlife.

Environmental Institute of Houston (UHCL): The Environmental Institute of Houston’s project aims to restore vital prairie/savanna ecosystems, providing a valuable educational resource and habitat for pollinators.

Galveston County Master Gardeners (Carbide Park): The project led by the Galveston County Master Gardeners at Carbide Park is centered on enhancing a pollinator habitat within the Discovery Garden. This initiative will not only provide essential support to local pollinators but also offer valuable learning opportunities for visitors.

Friendswood Jr High (Friendswood ISD): Friendswood Jr High’s project will create an engaging and educational native pollinator garden, fostering a connection between students and the environment.

Ward Elementary (Clear Creek ISD): Ward Elementary’s grant will support the development of a native pollinator habitat, providing a hands-on learning experience for students and benefitting local pollinators.

UHCL Green Thumb League (student organization): The UHCL Green Thumb League will be instrumental in creating a vibrant native pollinator garden, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among students.

Our Education Committee is proud to support these incredible projects that contribute to the conservation of our local ecosystems and the education of future generations. For more information about the Education Committee and the Native Pollinator Habitat Grant Program, please visit our web page.

Congratulations to the grant winners and thank you for your dedication to pollinator habitat conservation! Together, we are making a positive impact on our environment and community.

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