Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Wichita Falls to be site of fall symposium

NPSOT_Archive

**ARCHIVED POST **

Since 1991 our annual fall symposium has rotated through 17 different Texas biomes. This year we will visit Wichita Falls, hosted by the Red River Chapter.

bison_in_sunsetThe symposium will look at the western Cross Timbers and Rolling Plains ecoregions that meet near Wichita Falls, and the history, geology and human interaction within the area, in addition to the native flora.  Ron Loper, chair of the symposium steering committee, is promising field trips to state parks, private ranches, local sites, and some longer treks into Oklahoma to see the Wichita Mountains and other areas.  River Bend Nature Center, which includes 15 acres of trails, wetlands and ponds, as well as a butterfly and nature conservatory will be one of the highlights of the meeting.  There will also be workshops and presentations.

The symposium will begin with registration on Thursday night, October 15, and run through Sunday, October 18. Ron is organizing a buffalo roast as part of an get-together on Friday night.

More details will follow, with costs and on-line registration procedures to be announced soon.

**ARCHIVED POST**

**ARCHIVED POST LINKS & PICTURES MAY NOT WORK**

**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

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