Real estate developer Gary Bradley, a long-established presence in the Austin TX professional and philanthropic communities, was the driving force behind the creation of forward-looking suburban developments. His Rob Roy community along the shoreline of Lake Austin won acclaim for its attention to regional ecological needs and attracted developers from as far away as Japan, who requested information on how to replicate its success. And thanks to Gary Bradley and its other dedicated supporters, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center continues to make Austin TX a focal point for education and cutting-edge research in native plant conservation.
The center supports the Native Plant Information Network (NPIN), which developed out of the by-mail information clearinghouse it began in the early 1980s. The NPIN, operating fully online, supplies the general public, professional botanists, and government agriculture officials with up-to-date data on the propagation and care of a wide range of native plants.
The NPIN’s mission of broad education extends far beyond the borders of Central Texas. It also offers summaries of information on plants native to all regions of the United States and Canada. Even novice gardeners can find useful tips, which include names of plant suppliers and helpful organizations specific to each area.
