CNPS Annual Report | 2022-23

Eye to the Future

Bush sunflowers (Encelia californica); Image: Gina Radieve

Welcome!

We’re thrilled to share highlights from the past year, covering spring 2022 through 2023. Please take a moment to watch this short message from CNPS Executive Director Dr. Jun Bando and Board President John Hunter.

A Plan for the Next 5 Years

In 2022, CNPS entered the first year of its new five-year strategic plan. As we face the rapid changes of the 21st century, we’re focused on four foundational areas of work.

Read the 2022-2026 CNPS Strategic Plan
Know

Know

We believe decision-making must be guided by the best available science. We work to understand our evolving flora, review and rank rare plants, map and monitor vegetation, and interpret emerging threats.
Save

Save

Native plants face growing threats, from climate change to development. Guided by science, we’re fighting to conserve native plants through policy, large-scale planning, litigation, and grassroots advocacy.
Enhance & Restore

Enhance & Restore

Through horticulture, stewardship, and industry change, we’re working toward a California where people of all backgrounds can enjoy native plants in the public and private spaces around them.
Connect & Collaborate

Connect & Collaborate

We strive to be a community in which everyone has the chance to celebrate, learn about, and benefit from California native plants. Events, education, publications, and partnerships support lasting relationships.

Photo credits left to right: Elizabeth Kubey, Sandy Schubert, Ashley Hay, and Amina Sharma.

A Year of Impact

Our donors and partners enabled a record-breaking year for California native plants, from an inspiring conference to historic state funding for science.

Select from the topics below to see highlights.

Seeding Change

Seeding Change

Acting Locally

Acting Locally

Investing in Science

Investing in Science

Protecting and Promoting Biodiversity

Protecting and Promoting Biodiversity

Speaking Up

Speaking Up

Making News

Making News

Members of University of California Riverside SEEDS student organization (Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability) joined up with the CNPS Fire Followers project to explore plants in the Silverado Burn area. Pictured from left to right: Karina Morales, SEEDS President Caryn Iwanaga, Luis Rouzaud, Amy Do, Rhea Amatya, Gabreil Chavez; and Cameron Daley in front; Image: Jose Esparza Aguirre.
Members of University of California Riverside SEEDS student organization (Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability) joined up with the CNPS Fire Followers project to explore plants in the Silverado Burn area. Pictured from left to right: Karina Morales, SEEDS President Caryn Iwanaga, Luis Rouzaud, Amy Do, Rhea Amatya, Gabreil Chavez; and Cameron Daley in front; Image: Jose Esparza Aguirre

Financial Report

This year marked another period of strategic investments, as CNPS worked with partners, funders, and dedicated members to meet a moment of great opportunity and need. Thank you to our many supporters who help fund California’s native plant mission!

Revenue & Other Support:
$6.85M

2022-23 Financials - Revenue

Program & Administrative Expenses:
$7.7M

2022-23 Financials - Expenses
San Gabriel Mountains field trip attendees enjoying some rain and marveled over a total of nine fern species and “fern ally,” Bigelow’s spikemoss (Selaginella bigelovii); Image: Helin Jung
San Gabriel Mountains field trip attendees enjoying some rain while marveling over a total of nine fern species and “fern ally,” Bigelow’s spikemoss (Selaginella bigelovii); Image: Helin Jung
Celebrating the premiere of the Saging the World documentary, co-director David Bryant and Chairwoman Heidi Lucero; Image: Elizabeth Kubey
Celebrating the premiere of the Saging the World documentary, film director David Bryant (and former CNPS Education and Engagement Director) and Tribal Chairwoman Heidi Lucero (Acjachemen and Mutsun Ohlone), documentary interviewee; Image: Elizabeth Kubey
CNPS Dorothy King Young Conservation Chair Peter Baye, also named Mendocino Environmental Partners Environmentalist of the Year, leads a dune walk with the Dorothy King Young Chapter; Image: Julia Larke
Newly named CNPS Fellow Chris Lewis (foreground) and other CNPS Sac Valley Chapter Homegrowers for Social Justice enjoying a summer break; Image: Chris Lewis
Newly named CNPS Fellow Chris Lewis (foreground) and other CNPS Sac Valley Chapter Homegrowers for Social Justice enjoying a summer break; Image: Chris Lewis

Board of Directors

John Hunter, PhD, President
Vivian Neou, Vice President
April Owens, Secretary
Steve Schoenig, Treasurer

Alice L. Cantelow, Chapter Council Representative
Lucy Ferneyhough, Chapter Council Representative

Hannah Kang
Matt Ritter
Vince Scheidt
Carol Witham

Chapter Council

Woody Elliott, Vice Chair
Snowdy Dodson, Secretary

Leadership Supporters

Anthony W. LaFetra Charitable Fund
California State Parks Foundation
Clara Jeffery Charitable Trust
The Daylight Foundation
Esri
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
LaFetra Foundation
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Resources Legacy Fund – Public Lands Stewardship
Resources Legacy Fund – California 30×30 Initiative programs
Saratoga Horticultural Research Endowment
The Seaver Institute
The Skyscrape Foundation
Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust
Susan Flagg and Carlo Rocca Fund
Utom River Conservation Fund
Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation
Western Conservation Foundation
Anonymous (2)

2022 Fellows

Kristin Jacob
Chris Lewis
Carol Ralph
Daniel Songster
See all CNPS Fellows

Staff

See the full team

CNPS Legacy Fund

The protection of California native plants relies on generous individuals who invest in the future of our state’s flora by including CNPS in their estate plans.

When received, these generous gifts are placed in the Legacy Fund. Each year, a portion of the Fund is allocated to projects like those featured in this report. The Legacy Fund catalyzes exploration of new ideas, funds pilot projects, and allows us to respond quickly to unanticipated threats to native plants across California.

CNPS recently received contributions to the Legacy Fund from the estates of these very special people.  We are grateful for their trust, foresight, and commitment to the cause of native plants.

For more information on making native plants part of your legacy, contact Development Director Christine Pieper at legacy@cnps.org or 916.738.7622 or visit us at cnps.org/legacy.

Wanda Broadie Alexander
Catherine L. Anderson
Dan Cheatham
Phyllis Faber
Dorothy Frantz
Suzanne G. Kirkham
Celia Kutcher
Rudi Mattoni
Christina S. Schulz 
Carol E. Scott

The California Native Plant Society is dedicated to celebrating California’s native plant heritage and preserving it for future generations.

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