Thomas H. Wootten Family Student Conservation Grant

The Thomas H. Wootten Family Student Conservation Grant, offered by the Native Plant Society of New Mexico, supports university students engaged in conservation-related projects. With a funding limit of $2,000, this grant emphasizes field research and public education related to native plants. It honors Tom and Eleanor Wootten, dedicated conservationists whose foundation's assets were donated to NPSNM. Eligible projects must align with NPSNM's mission to educate, conserve, and conduct research on native plants.

About NPSNM
The Native Plant Society of New Mexico (NPSNM) is a non-profit organization that strives to educate the public about native plants by promoting knowledge of plant identification, ecology, and uses; foster plant conservation and the preservation of natural habitats; support botanical research; and encourage the appropriate use of native plants to conserve water, land, and wildlife.
The Native Plant Society of New Mexico supports organizations, communities, students, and individuals working on projects that further education, restoration, research, and conservation of native plants.
This grant is for university students in conservation-related fields with an emphasis on field research or public education. It is offered once a year, for up to $2,000.
Tom and his wife, Eleanor, were dedicated conservationists involved with several organizations, including the NPSNM. They also established a family foundation that awarded grants primarily for field research on rare plants, animals, and natural communities in the Southwest. In 2025, the foundation closed its doors, and its assets were donated to NPSNM. This grant is named in honor of them and their family and funded by that donation.
Your project must support at least one NPSNM mission area, by clearly stating how your project will:

• Educate the public about native plants by promoting knowledge of native plant identification, ecology or uses, OR
• Contribute to the conservation or the restoration/preservation of native plants and their natural habitats, OR
• Conduct botanical research, involving New Mexico native plants, OR
• Demonstrate the appropriate use of native plants to conserve water, land and wildlife

Eligibility

Grants are awarded for projects that are consistent with at least one element of our mission.Nonmembers and members of NPSNM are equally eligible to receive grants.Supplies, tools, seeds, materials, equipment rental, contractor charges, lab tests, safety items, certain software, educational signage, refreshments for volunteers, and transport of students are examples of typical expenses we've approved.

Ineligibility

Proposals less likely to receive approval are those that appear to be salary for the project manager.We do not fund overhead charges by an institution.