The largest native botanical garden and arboretum in the state may receive further acclaim by being bestowed the title of state botanical garden and arboretum. Bills filed by Austin legislators Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, would not only honor the center with statewide acclaim, but would also allow the center to enhance its conservation, education and outreach endeavors. Howard's bill was passed by the House in a 130-6 vote today, with several members of the House Freedom Caucus, a hyper-conservative caucus making up the majority of the no votes. The bill will move to the Senate next. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, named to honor the former first lady's contributions to Texas has served the state and the University of Texas at Austin since 1982. [g-slider gid="235736" width="100%" height="55%"] The center sponsors research programs that explore plant conservation, landscape restoration and sustainability including one program in which the center partners with the Millenium Seed Bank Partnership to preserve native Texas seeds and prevent the extinction of such plants. Bills filed by Austin legislators Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, would not only honor the center with statewide acclaim, but would also allow the center to enhance its conservation, education and outreach endeavors. Howard's bill was passed by the House in a 130-6 vote with several members of the House Freedom Caucus, a hyper-conservative caucus making up the majority of the no votes. The bill will move to the Senate next.