8 Days of Action!
With more than 6,000 types of plants, California is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Wherever you go, native plants support the web of life around you. From the majestic giant sequoia to the tiniest wildflowers, California native plants provide the beauty, the scents, and the habitat that make California home. This year, we invite you to join us in eight specific actions you can take to deepen your relationship with the plants near you and protect them for generations to come.
Saturday – Day 8
Become a CNPS Member
Make it official and join the nation’s largest native plant society. There is power in numbers, and we need you! CNPS is one of California’s most influential and enduring conservation organizations. As we face the real time impacts of climate change and an extinction crisis, the native plant mission is more important and necessary than ever. Our members make it all possible! (If you’re already a member, thank you!!
Friday – Day 7
Send a letter to your local paper
Be the voice for California native plants in your community. Wildflowers are in the news, which makes this a great time to advance the native plant discussions in the media. One great way to do this is by submitting an opinion piece or letter to the editor of your local paper. Most people are surprised to learn that California has more types of native plants than any other state in the U.S. – and also the largest concentration of plants at risk of extinction. We need our friends and neighbors to know that we have so much to celebrate but also much to lose. Help us spread the word!
Thursday – Day 6
Discover the rare plants near you
California is home to native plant species found nowhere else on Earth! CNPS works to locate, monitor, and protect California’s rare and endangered plants – and you can help. Start by getting to know the rare species of your area. We’ve created a quick one-minute video to show you how to discover the rare plants of your county using the CNPS online Rare Plant Inventory. When you’re ready for a deeper dive into the Rare Plant Inventory, take a look at these helpful guides created by the CNPS Rare Plant Program team.
Wednesday – Day 5
Help us protect Molok Luyuk
Protect a rare and rugged landscape and honor sacred lands. Sign the petition to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk.
It’s one of the best places in Northern California to experience the rare adobe-lily (Fritillaria pluriflora), bald eagles, or a woodland of McNab cypress (Hesperocyparis macnabiana). But Molok Luyuk is also a frequent target for development. Sign a petition to urge President Biden to add Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
Tuesday – Day 4
Learn your local native plants
Native plants support the life around you, so get to know them! An easy place to begin is to enter your address on Calscape.org and explore the plants displayed. Ready to go even deeper? Find your local CNPS chapter and attend an upcoming presentation or field trip.
Monday – Day 3
Make a call for native plants
Imagine a California where business fronts, highways, and public buildings were surrounded by native plants. Assemblymember Laura Friedman’s new Assembly Bill 1573 could make that vision a reality. CNPS is proud to be sponsoring AB 1573, which would require non-residential properties to use local native plants in lieu of non-functional turf for new landscaping projects. Please give your representative a call today (find them here) and ask for their support of AB 1573.
Sunday – Day 2
Gift yourself…and a pollinator!
Native plants in our gardens are needed now more than ever. Native plant landscaping supports imperiled pollinators and conserves natural resources. Whether you’ve got a full garden or a small patio, native plants are a great addition. So, treat yourself to a fragrant salvia or some colorful wildflower starts. Shop a Bloom! California nursery near you or your mark your calendar for an upcoming CNPS chapter plant sale.
Saturday – Day 1
Experience plants in real life
There’s no better way to enjoy native plants than to get outside. This week, CNPS chapters and partners are hosting fun events across the state. Click the button below to find out what’s happening near you.
Can’t leave the house, enjoy some eye candy on the CNPS Instagram account.
Celebrating Native Plant Week on Social Media
#canativeplantweek
California Native Plant Week Events
See our daily event recommendations here and check out the full listing of events below.
SAT, APR 22 & SUN APR 23
LA Times Festival of Books
Join CNPS, the Theodore Payne Foundation, and LA Times Plants at the popular Festival of Books! Our three orgs will be sharing a table and demonstrating how to use the Calscape Garden Planner, doing container gardening demos, and more!