Roberto Gaitan is the President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas. The Chapter has taken over operations and management of the RGV Native Plant Center on South Padre Island.
Texas is one of the most biologically diverse states, with over 5,000 species of native plants. But what happens when you get three hundred native plant enthusiasts in the same room? You get the 2024 Fall Symposium of the Native Plant Society of Texas [NPSOT]!
Since 1980, the NPSOT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with more than 30 chapters across Texas, has worked to further its mission to promote research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas. As a community-based environmental conservation organization, NPSOT honors and celebrates our communities’ equally remarkable diversity and unique ecoregion. By promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in our work and leadership, we hope to expand our membership to advance the Society’s mission through education, outreach and example.
The 34th Annual Fall Symposium took place in New Braunfels Oct. 10-12 for three days of camaraderie, learning and sharing about Texas native plants. The schedule included twenty insightful presentations, a choice of local guided field trips, the Annual State Meeting of NPSOT Members, evening event options, and the NPSOT Annual Awards Banquet to recognize significant efforts and contributions championing our native plants.
During the symposium, members explored how the ecology of Texas has changed since European settlers arrived three centuries ago. Plenary speakers examined the challenges caused by rapid population growth in our state, recent climate change and drought conditions. Most importantly, numerous speakers offered solutions on how communities and individuals can conserve natural areas, increase the resilience of our existing plant communities, improve wildlife habitat, restore soil health and collaborate to tackle issues together.
Plenary speakers included Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Director of Horticulture, Annalisa Peace, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance Executive Director, Barney Lipscomb, BRIT Press and Library Director, John Hart Asher, Austin, Texas Principal/Senior Environmental Designer, Steve Nelle, San Angelo, Texas Natural Resource Consulter, and Suzanne Scott, The Nature Conservancy Texas State Director.
For the first time in the Society’s history, this year’s conference included representation of the Rio Grande Valley by four members of our RGV Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Since our inception in February of 2024, our local chapter has strived to represent the valley to the state organization and fellow chapters and bring NPSOT programs and initiatives to the RGV. Programs include Native Plants in Schools, Bring Back the Monarch to Texas, NICE Native Plant Nurseries, Native Landscape Certification Program and many more.
The Society also holds an annual, single-day, Spring Symposium with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The 2025 Fall Symposium will be held in Salado but no details are available yet. The event was held in the RGV once in 1999, so it is time to bring the conference to our home. Our local chapter will seek to bring the conference to the RGV in 2026! Stay tuned!
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