Third quarter board meeting to be in Tyler

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The third quarter State Board Meeting will be Saturday, July 21, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm at TPWD Nature Center in Tyler.

DIRECTIONS:  In Tyler take Loop 323 to SH 248 (southeast to Taylor). Go east on SH 248 past the UT Tyler Campus to FM 848 (about 3 miles). Turn Right on FM 848 (Bascom Road) and travel 0.7 mile to 11942 FM 848.

The unapproved minutes from the last meeting are posted on the LeaderWeb page and we ask you to please read them prior to the meeting so we can approve them and move on. The meeting agendas and handouts will be emailed out to you when we get closer to the meeting date. We are planning to take a 30-45 minute walk through the center at lunch if it is not too hot, so wear appropriate clothing and a hat. Sunblock is also suggested.

As usual, lunch will be served at a cost of $10.00 per person (less if cost is less). Cash or check only, please!

Hotel rooms have not been blocked. You must call and make your own reservations if needed. The closest hotels:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – Tyler South
(3.1 miles away)
2421 E. Southeast Loop 323
877-863-4780
www.hiexpress.com

Staybridge Suites – Tyler University Area
(3.0 miles away)
2759 McDonald Road
903-566-1100
www.staybridge.com

Hampton Inn – Tyler
(3.5 miles away)
3130 Troup Highway
903-596-7752
www.hamptoninn.hilton.com

State Board meetings are held quarterly – in January, April, July, and October, usually on the third Saturday. All members are welcome to attend. A members meeting is held annually in October at the state symposium.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

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