Trees & Plants
Courtesy of Earth Native Wilderness School
American Botanical Council
6200 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 926-4900
E-Mail: abc@herbalgram.org
Net: abc.herbalgram.org
Facebook: facebook.com/HerbalGram
Purpose: The American Botanical Council (ABC) uses science-based and traditional information to promote the responsible use of herbal medicine by educating consumers, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, industry, and the media.
Projects/Activities: In addition to its Web site with 10 searchable databases and multiple publications, ABC runs the following programs:
1) ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (botanicaladulterants.org), which provides educational resources to detect and prevent adulteration in the herbal supply chain;
2) HerbDay in spring at ABC, with lectures, herb walks, a plant sale, activities for kids, and more (1st Saturday in May).
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering in ABC’s 2.5-acre herbal demonstration garden, and internship programs for pharmacy and dietetic students.
Newsletters/Publications: HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal; HerbClip, summaries and reviews of recently published herbal literature; HerbalEGram, monthly newsletter; Herbal News & Events, weekly update; and the Botanical Monitor, a quarterly newsletter addressing botanical adulteration issues.
Dues: Individuals – $50-$150/year; Discounts available for seniors/students. Companies can also become members.
Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter
P.O. Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
E-Mail: Austin.NPSOT@gmail.com
Net: npsot.org/wp/austin
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/npsotaustin
Instagram: instagram.com/npsot.austin/
Purpose: The Native Plant Society of Texas exists to promote the conservation, research, and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach, and example. The Austin Chapter is part of a network of native plant groups located throughout Texas.
Projects/Activities: Monthly meetings feature guest speakers and presentations. Members collect and exchange seeds, host spring and fall native plant sales, conduct plant surveys on private and public lands, rescue plants from development areas, work with nurseries to encourage native plant use, and sponsor NPSOT Native Landscape Certificate Program classes.
Meetings: 4th Tuesday of most months at 7 PM. Arrive at 6:30 for snacks and seed exchange. Join via Zoom or in-person at Lakewood Clubhouse, 7317 Lakewood Drive, Austin, TX 78750.
Volunteer Opportunities: Public education and outreach, plant sales at NPAT Dowell Ranch, nursery and garden center consultations, assistance with creating native gardens on schoolyards and other public grounds, educational talks and walks with people of all ages.
Newsletters/Publications: Stat
Dues: $50/Individuals; $15/Student; $35/Senior/Limited Income; $60/Household.
Native Prairies Association of Texas
P.O. Box 1101
Manchaca, Texas 78652
Contact: Amber Arseneaux
E-Mail: office@texasprairie.org
Net: texasprairie.org
Instagram: instagram.com/texasprairie
Facebook: facebook.com/NativePrairiesAssocTX
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/native-prairies-association-of-texas
Purpose: The Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) is a nonprofit membership organization and accredited land trust dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native prairies, savannas, and other grasslands in Texas. As of 2024, NPAT protected more than 6,000 acres of native Texas prairie.
Projects/Activities: Dowell Ranch (150-acres; Travis County), Maddin Prairie Preserve (1,114 acres; Mitchell County), Lawther – Deer Park Prairie (51 acres; Harris County), Elder Prairie (204-acres; Washington County).
Meetings: Chapters across the state have regular meetings, field trips, monthly workdays, and volunteer opportunities. See Web site calendar for more information.
Newsletters/Publications: Print newsletter published annually and monthly e-newsletter.
TreeFolks
P.O. Box 1395
Del Valle, TX 78617
(512) 443-5323
E-Mail: admin@treefolks.org
Net: treefolks.org
Facebook: facebook.com/treefolks
Instagram: instagram.com/TreeFolks
Purpose: Our mission is to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees, providing tree education to both children and adults. During our 34-year history, we have planted 3 million trees, distributed over 167,000 trees to local neighborhoods, engaged over 22,000 volunteers, and reforested 260 acres of Central Texas floodplain land. In 2024, TreeFolks began production of 7,000 saplings as part of our new native tree nursery.
Projects/Activities: Public tree plantings and riparian plantings; NeighborWoods tree adoptions; Travis County Reforestation, education opportunities (Urban Forest Stewards Course, sapling giveaway events, tree mapping, tree identification walks).
Volunteer Opportunities: Tree planting (planting season is from October through March), tree maintenance, education, marketing, and fundraising. Opportunities for student interns. See more at Web site.
Newsletters/Publications: E-mail newsletter – Looking Up!
Useful Wild Plants of Texas
4700 Loyola Lane, #104
Austin, TX 78723
Lynn Marshall (512) 928-4441
E-mail: info@usefulwildplants.org
Net: usefulwildplants.org
Purpose: Plants are the basis of civilization (not to mention life on earth). UWP is dedicated to exploring and documenting the native plants of Texas and surrounding regions as the foods, medicines, and resources of the past, present, and future.
Projects/Activities: UWP is putting together a database and encyclopedic publication of uses of 4,000 native plants (foods, pharmaceuticals, fibers, glues, dyes, oils, etc.). Call for information about classes and other activities.
Meetings: Get-togethers and events throughout the year for members and volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to keep research files updated, staff event booths, help produce the newsletter, work on the encyclopedia, and assist with publicity, fundraising, and membership database. Student interns welcome; college credit available for some Independent Studies positions.
Newsletters/Publications: The quarterly Useful Wild Plants newsletter covers project news, uses of plants, people who make their living working with plants, and volunteer and member activities. The first four volumes (covering the genera from Abronia through Convolvulus) of encyclopedic Useful Wild Plants of Texas, the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, the Southern Plains, and Northern Mexico are available.
Dues: $25/Individual; $50/Family; $100/Sustaining.
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