Native Plant Society of Texas Fall Symposium

Advanced Training Opportunity: VMS Category: AT: NGO Workshops and Programs on Wildlife Conservation and Land Stewardship (Saturday sessions only)

2018 Native Plant of Texas Symposium
October 18-21, 2018
Embassy Suites San Antonio Brooks Hotel & Spa
7610 South New Braunfels

A Meander Through the Native Plant Communities of the
San Antonio River Basin

The San Antonio River emerges from the Blue Hole north of downtown in a wooded 53-acre nature sanctuary. The river, flowing from a riparian area of the Blackland Prairie, has given life to indigenous peoples of the San Antonio region since before the arrival of European explorers.  South of downtown, the river passes near four of the Spanish Colonial Missions through the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project, the largest urban ecological restoration project in the United States. From there, it runs through the Post Oak Savannah portion of the East Central Texas Plains on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.

The symposium presentations and field trips will explore the use of native plant by inhabitants of San Antonio River system from the indigenous to the present; the restoration of the Mission Reach; plant-based low impact development to slow storm water runoff and enhance water quality; and the transition of the plant communities of the Blackland Prairie to the surrounding ecoregions along the San Antonio River and tributaries with topics related to habitat improvement for butterflies, pollinators and fauna in these landscapes.

Underwriting support is welcomed! In an effort to attract more students and educators, the Society will once again offer scholarships to qualified applicants. Supporting the attendance of educators and students (our future members!) ensures the future of the Society and the vitality of our mission statement. When renewing your membership, please consider making a small donation to support the symposium. Your gracious donations will help meet our goal of educating future native plant lovers and leaders. If you work or have worked for a corporation that will match your non-profit donation, then please remember to exercise that option and double your giving! We are also actively pursuing financial underwriting from foundations and corporations or in-kind donations of items or services. Do you know of someone that we should contact? Please get in touch with Pam Middleton, Symposium Co-Chair, at state@npsot.org. All referrals are welcome!

Book accommodations now! If you have not booked your room reservation at the Embassy Suites Brooks Hotel & Spa in South San Antonio, do not delay! Attendees will receive a discounted rate of $119 per night (plus tax) for standard rooms. The discounted rate applies for all reservations booked by September 18.