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Native Plant Society of Texas

Carol Clark

Carol Clark is an amateur botany enthusiast, a Texas Master Naturalist, a longtime member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a Conservation Specialist with Monarch Watch.

She also co-administrates the Texas Native Bee Co-op Facebook page, and chairs the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee. She and her husband own and operate Clark Haven Farm, a wildlife preserve and custom wildflower seed business in Cooke County.

Carol grew up with a nature photographer father and wildlife artist brother, and has spent much of her life looking around and learning in the great outdoors. Her favorite things to do are leading discovery walks in local natural areas, and finding and photographing interesting plants and insects.

Contact Carol Clark

Collin County, TX, USA

NPSOT, Texas Master Naturalists, Texas Native Bee Co-op, Monarch Watch

  • Consideration: Open to Discussion
  • Online Presentation: Yes
  • Online Platforms: Zoom, Webex
  • Recording Allowed: Discuss with Speaker
  • Uploading Allowed: Discuss with Speaker

Presentations Offered:

Benefits of Native Plants

You may already have heard about some of the benefits of native plants–savings on water, time, fertilizer, and pesticides—but there are many more reasons to choose native plants for your landscape. In this program you will learn why native plants in your own landscape are crucial to a functioning ecosystem. You’ll also hear about some […]

Blackland Prairie: Then and Now

The Blackland Prairie ecosystem of Texas, is one of the rarest in the world, and vanishing quickly. Only small remnants remain of what was once a vast area. See the plants and animals that used to live here, and what’s left.

Botany Skills for Naturalists

2 hour workshop/presentation Do you visit a woods or a prairie and just see undifferentiated blobs of green? Maybe it all looks pleasant, but you don’t really see individual plants. You aren’t alone! Lots of people experience plants that way. Maybe you already have observation skills and can even see the differences between different birds, […]

Historic Uses of Texas Plants

Parts I and II can be viewed in one long or two shorter programs. Historic Uses of North Texas Plants: covers the interesting and sometimes surprising uses of our native plants over the years—from prehistoric times to modern day. Beyond the obvious uses of food, clothing and shelter, native plants have been used as dyes, […]

Just Enough Latin to Go Plant Shopping

The scientific names of plants might seem like a giant pain to learn, but they carry more useful information than you might think. Learning just a few common roots for form, size, color, origins, shape and habitat can help you decipher those names and choose the right plant for the right place, save you time […]

Managing Prairies for Pollinators

Covers the theory, practice, and techniques of managing open spaces for pollinators, with or without grazing animals present.

Milkweeds of North Central Texas

Carol Clark began researching the milkweeds found in the North Texas area when she realized that her own small piece of land was home to seven different species of milkweeds. Though most people are aware of the link between Monarch butterflies and the milkweed family of plants, there are many more not-so-famous animals that depend […]

Monarch Waystations for Texas

Covers the amazing story of the Monarch Butterfly lifecycle and migration, clarifies some common misconceptions about Monarchs, explains historic and current threats to Monarch populations, and why Texas is a pivotal location for Monarchs’ future success. The program also covers real steps Texas residents can take to help bolster the Monarch population, and what to […]

Native Bees in Your Landscape

Less well known than European Honeybees, Texas’ native bees are nevertheless vital components of a healthy environment, and can provide a new dimension of enjoyment in your home garden. This program will cover basic information on the current challenges all bee species are facing, why they are important to all of us, facts about gentle […]

Native Plant Society of Texas — who are we and what can we do for you?

This is an overview of programs offered at the state level, and the perks, events, and benefits that local chapters provide. We’ll cover the Native Landscape Certification Program, the I-35 Monarch Waystation reststops, grants and scholarships, our magazine, the annual Symposium, and the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas program, along with a host of […]

Native Plants Star in Monarch Waystations, and the BBMT Plays a Part

The program includes an explanation of NPSOT’s Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee and its garden grant program, and illuminates some of the highlights and pitfalls of past grant applications. We’ll also learn how Monarchs depend on native plants for their breeding and migration success, why planting for Monarchs is urgent, and the key […]

Planting for Birds

Be part of the solution to habitat loss! Learn how to attract all sorts of birds to your own landscape by planning and planting for all their needs. We’ll focus on native Texas plants with high wildlife values and consider some of the different ways birds use their surroundings at different life stages. We’ll cover […]

Planting for Bluebird Success

“Planting For Bluebird Success” covers basic information on how and where to place and maintain nest boxes for Bluebirds, and information on native plants and strategies that will improve your local habitat, making it more attractive to Bluebirds. As more and more of their natural habitat is developed for human uses, it becomes more critical […]

Planting for Monarchs and Other Pollinators

Maximize your land or garden’s impact by learning which plants offer the most benefits for Monarchs and other pollinators. We’ll also touch on best timing for maintenance practices like mowing and pruning.

Sassy Sunflowers for North Texas

Learn about the characteristics of seven local native sunflowers species, both annuals and perennials, along with some oddball facts about their uses and history. We will cover wildlife value and habitat preferences –including sunflowers for wet spaces and for shade!

Texas Tough Natives for Droughts and Floods

It’s either too wet or too dry in North Central Texas. What can you plant that can handle both extremes? This program covers “Texas tough” native plants that manage to survive on their own in our local area (North Central Texas), and work well in a landscape setting.

Wild Onions of North Texas

A brief collaboration with a PhD student studying wild onions led Carol Clark to research, collect, appreciate and grow the wild onions of the North Central Texas region over the last ten years. She’ll explain how we can identify the several kinds of onions we can find near here, and fill us in on some […]

Wildflowers of North Texas

So many of our beautiful and once common native wildflowers have been removed from our local landscapes that relatively few people today can recognize and name more than a handful. This colorful slideshow program will take you on a virtual tour through the seasons of some of our last undisturbed natural areas, and introduce some […]

  • Botany Skills for Naturalists 2 hour workshop/presentation Do you visit a woods or a prairie and just see undifferentiated blobs of green? Maybe it all looks pleasant, but you don’t really see individual plants. You aren’t alone! Lots of people experience plants that way. Maybe you already have observation skills and can even see the differences between different birds, […]
  • Native Plant Society of Texas — who are we and what can we do for you? This is an overview of programs offered at the state level, and the perks, events, and benefits that local chapters provide. We’ll cover the Native Landscape Certification Program, the I-35 Monarch Waystation reststops, grants and scholarships, our magazine, the annual Symposium, and the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas program, along with a host of […]
  • Blackland Prairie: Then and Now The Blackland Prairie ecosystem of Texas, is one of the rarest in the world, and vanishing quickly. Only small remnants remain of what was once a vast area. See the plants and animals that used to live here, and what’s left.
  • Managing Prairies for Pollinators Covers the theory, practice, and techniques of managing open spaces for pollinators, with or without grazing animals present.
  • Planting for Birds Be part of the solution to habitat loss! Learn how to attract all sorts of birds to your own landscape by planning and planting for all their needs. We’ll focus on native Texas plants with high wildlife values and consider some of the different ways birds use their surroundings at different life stages. We’ll cover […]
  • Planting for Monarchs and Other Pollinators Maximize your land or garden’s impact by learning which plants offer the most benefits for Monarchs and other pollinators. We’ll also touch on best timing for maintenance practices like mowing and pruning.
  • Texas Tough Natives for Droughts and Floods It’s either too wet or too dry in North Central Texas. What can you plant that can handle both extremes? This program covers “Texas tough” native plants that manage to survive on their own in our local area (North Central Texas), and work well in a landscape setting.
  • Milkweeds of North Central Texas Carol Clark began researching the milkweeds found in the North Texas area when she realized that her own small piece of land was home to seven different species of milkweeds. Though most people are aware of the link between Monarch butterflies and the milkweed family of plants, there are many more not-so-famous animals that depend […]
  • Native Plants Star in Monarch Waystations, and the BBMT Plays a Part The program includes an explanation of NPSOT’s Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee and its garden grant program, and illuminates some of the highlights and pitfalls of past grant applications. We’ll also learn how Monarchs depend on native plants for their breeding and migration success, why planting for Monarchs is urgent, and the key […]
  • Benefits of Native Plants You may already have heard about some of the benefits of native plants–savings on water, time, fertilizer, and pesticides—but there are many more reasons to choose native plants for your landscape. In this program you will learn why native plants in your own landscape are crucial to a functioning ecosystem. You’ll also hear about some […]
  • Historic Uses of Texas Plants Parts I and II can be viewed in one long or two shorter programs. Historic Uses of North Texas Plants: covers the interesting and sometimes surprising uses of our native plants over the years—from prehistoric times to modern day. Beyond the obvious uses of food, clothing and shelter, native plants have been used as dyes, […]
  • Sassy Sunflowers for North Texas Learn about the characteristics of seven local native sunflowers species, both annuals and perennials, along with some oddball facts about their uses and history. We will cover wildlife value and habitat preferences –including sunflowers for wet spaces and for shade!
  • Wildflowers of North Texas So many of our beautiful and once common native wildflowers have been removed from our local landscapes that relatively few people today can recognize and name more than a handful. This colorful slideshow program will take you on a virtual tour through the seasons of some of our last undisturbed natural areas, and introduce some […]
  • Wild Onions of North Texas A brief collaboration with a PhD student studying wild onions led Carol Clark to research, collect, appreciate and grow the wild onions of the North Central Texas region over the last ten years. She’ll explain how we can identify the several kinds of onions we can find near here, and fill us in on some […]
  • Planting for Bluebird Success “Planting For Bluebird Success” covers basic information on how and where to place and maintain nest boxes for Bluebirds, and information on native plants and strategies that will improve your local habitat, making it more attractive to Bluebirds. As more and more of their natural habitat is developed for human uses, it becomes more critical […]
  • Just Enough Latin to Go Plant Shopping The scientific names of plants might seem like a giant pain to learn, but they carry more useful information than you might think. Learning just a few common roots for form, size, color, origins, shape and habitat can help you decipher those names and choose the right plant for the right place, save you time […]
  • Native Bees in Your Landscape Less well known than European Honeybees, Texas’ native bees are nevertheless vital components of a healthy environment, and can provide a new dimension of enjoyment in your home garden. This program will cover basic information on the current challenges all bee species are facing, why they are important to all of us, facts about gentle […]
  • Monarch Waystations for Texas Covers the amazing story of the Monarch Butterfly lifecycle and migration, clarifies some common misconceptions about Monarchs, explains historic and current threats to Monarch populations, and why Texas is a pivotal location for Monarchs’ future success. The program also covers real steps Texas residents can take to help bolster the Monarch population, and what to […]

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