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Native Plant Society of Texas

Austin Kelly

Austin R. Kelly is President and Lead Biologist for ARK Ecological Consulting, botanical and environmental consulting group that works across the US, focused on plant and wildlife inventories and conservation, invasive species control, and sustainable private-land management practices. Austin is also an instructor and PhD student at Texas A&M University studying plant ecology, particularly rangeland ecosystem management in the Edwards Plateau, including grazing, burning, and ecohydrology. Austin has taught 9 different undergraduate courses in botany and ecology over 8 years. He was the coach for the Texas A&M Plant Identification Team for 4 years, and his team placed 2nd in the US in 2025. Austin is also a Research Associate with the S.M. Tracy Herbarium where he conducts research on Texas plant biogeography and floristics. He is on the Board of Directors for the Society of Ecological Restoration and is passionate about environmental education, working with many youth organizations teaching about plants and ecosystems. Willing to do presentations, classes, lectures, webinars, or field trips.

Contact Austin Kelly

Bandera, TX, USA

ARK Ecological Consulting, Texas A&M University, S.M. Tracy Herbarium, NPSOT, Society for Ecological Restoration, Society for Range Management, The Wildlife Society, and Texas Brigades

  • Consideration: Open to Discussion
  • Online Presentation: Yes
  • Online Platforms: Teams, Webex, Zoom, GoTo Meeting
  • Recording Allowed: Yes
  • Uploading Allowed: Yes

Presentations Offered:

Plant Ecology and Botany (various topics)

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