Mission, Vision, Values
A leading voice in native plant appreciation since 1965.
CNPS is grounded in science, driven by hope, and committed to the plants and habitats that make California home.
Our Mission is to protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy.
Our Vision is a California in which native plant diversity flourishes, where all people have access to native plants in both the built environment and the wild, and where people of all backgrounds play a vital role in the conservation of our native plant heritage.
Our Values
Credit Nancy Buck.
We believe that the health of ecosystems, communities, and individuals are deeply connected. Our survival is directly linked to the natural world and our connections with one another. Because of this, we believe that access to nature is a human right for all.
We share a responsibility to secure the future by safeguarding biodiversity and reducing the impacts of accelerated climate change. Recognizing that humans are an integral part of nature, we commit to an inclusive, whole-society approach. This requires a commitment to a long-term regional view of biodiversity, people, and ecological integrity – one that respects and incorporates the role of Indigenous Peoples and their traditional knowledges.
Credit Nancy Buck.
Credit Nancy Buck.
We achieve our shared goals through inclusive collaboration as equals, both inside and outside our organization. We value the coming together of diverse disciplines, roles, and perspectives that power our collective efforts. We foster a culture of teamwork, mutual respect, and shared leadership among volunteers and staff.
We value the curiosity, openness to new information, and pursuit of objectivity that characterize science. We base our work on the best available science, recognizing that scientific knowledge is constantly evolving.
Credit Nancy Buck.
As a tax-exempt, 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, CNPS is accountable to each of you—our members, volunteers, and generous donors. Thank you for trusting us to use your contributions wisely, respectfully, and effectively.
