Local Chapters

CNPS Membership

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals with a common interest in California's native plants. The Society, working through its local chapters, seeks to increase understanding of California's native flora and to preserve this rich resource for future generations. Membership is open to all. Our members have diverse interests including natural history, botany, ecology, conservation, photography, drawing, hiking, and gardening.

What do I get when I join?

• The pleasure of contributing to the preservation of California's rich and diverse native flora,
• An exceptional education on California's native plants through field trips and programs,
• The opportunity for first-hand experience growing native plants and learning propagations and culture techniques,
• A subscription to Fremontia, a quarterly journal for laypeople,
• A subscription to the CNPS Bulletin, a quarterly statewide newsletter,
• The newsletter of your local chapter, and
• New friends to meet and new places to explore.
  
  
  

CNPS Membership Application

Print and Mail (or Fax) Membership Form

On-line Credit Card Membership Form

CNPS Membership Dues

What do we do?

Chapters -- The CNPS program is wide-ranging and offers something for everyone interested in plants. Chapters conduct regular field trips to see interesting plants and plant communities, and invite speakers to share their knowledge at monthly meetings. In addition, many chapters conduct annual native plant sales and wildflower shows.

Education, Conservation and Legislation -- CNPS conducts a variety of educational programs and conservation efforts all focused on long-term protection and preservation of the native flora in its natural habitat. Our activities include preparing local plant lists, supporting establishment of protected reserves for native plants, monitoring and reducing the spread of invasive non-native species, and providing expert testimony on plant issues. By observing a consistent policy of objectivity and cooperation, CNPS botanists have earned an outstanding reputation among government agencies and other conservation groups.

Plant Science -- CNPS has been a recognized leader in the monitoring and protection of endangered plants for almost 30 years. The CNPS Rare Plant Program maintains an objective, scientific inventory of over 1700 taxa of endangered and rare plants of California. This information is summarized in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California, now in its fifth edition. The Plant Communities Program has prepared and standardized an updated classification of California's plant communities, resulting in the 1995 publication of A Manual of California Vegetation.

Publications -- CNPS produces several publications: Fremontia, a quarterly journal with articles on all aspects of native plants; The CNPS Bulletin, a statewide report of activities and schedules; chapter newsletters; and a series of wildflower posters. CNPS also publishes a number of books such as floras of local areas and advertises these through its book catalog and in our web-based bookstore.