CNPS Workshops

CNPS field workshop

Workshops & Professional Training

California Native Plant Society plant science training workshops provide botanists, biologists, land managers, and ecologists the scientific skills and practical experience necessary to assess, manage, and protect native plants and lands in California and beyond.

High Quality, High Value

All CNPS workshops feature:
Expert Instructors
Hands-On Learning
Beautiful Field Sites
Small Class Sizes
Science-Backed Skills

2023 Workshops

CNPS Plant ID workshop
Photo: Becky Reilly.

Introduction to Plant Identification

Registration is Full
August 8-10, 2023

Mammoth Lakes, CA
Taught by Sandy Namoff, Nick Jensen, and Brendan Wilce
$550 CNPS Members / $600 Non-Members 
With onsite lodging: $645.10 CNPS Members / $695.10 Non-Members

Photo: Alyssa Huante

Rare Plant Survey Protocols

Registration is Full
August 1
7-18, 2023
 

San Luis Obispo, CA
Taught by Heath Bartosh & Aaron Sims
$450 CNPS Members / $500 Non-Members

Sensitive Natural Communities Workshop participants at the CNPS 2022 Conference. Photo by Raphaela E. Floreani Buzbee.

Sensitive Natural Communities on the North Coast

Registration is Closed
August 21-23 

Fort Bragg, CA
Taught by Teresa Sholars and Todd Keeler-Wolf
CNPS Members $525 / Non-Members $575

Oaks near Hog Lake outside Redding. Photo: Becky Reilly
Oaks near Hog Lake outside Redding. Photo: Becky Reilly

CEQA Impact Assessment

Registration is Full
September 20-21, 2023
 

Online on Zoom
Taught by David Magney
$75 Students/ Fixed Income
$125 or $175 General (sliding scale, pay what you can)

Workshop participants study plants under the microscope. Photo by Alyssa Huante.

California Grasses: an Introduction

Registration is Full
November 4-5, 2023
 

San Jose, CA
Taught by Dr. Doug Stone
CNPS Members $450 / Non-Members $500

General Information

Before registering, please review our workshop participant expectations and liability waiver, cancellation policy, and registration and payment policy. Note that some details, including exact locations of classroom or field sites, may be subject to change.

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If you have questions about any workshops, or suggestions for future workshop topics and instructors, e-mail Alyssa Huante, ahuante@cnps.org.

Scholarships Available

CNPS is committed to reducing barriers and broadening participation in our workshops. We are offering financial support opportunities for students, early professionals, or anyone who may not otherwise be able to attend. This scholarship will cover the cost of one CNPS plant science workshop. In some instances, CNPS will also provide monetary assistance for travel and accommodations. 

The scholarship form is due six weeks before the workshop date that you would like to attend. You will be notified within four weeks of the workshop date about the financial aid determination. Please fill out the form below to be considered as a potential recipient of a workshop scholarship.

Scholarship Application