Into the Wild: An Interview with Meghan Hertel
Meghan Hertel makes an immediate impact for biodiversity in her new role as director of California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife
Flora
California’s plants – people – places
Flora magazine launched in 2017 as the newest addition to CNPS publications. Published quarterly, each issue includes inspiring interviews, conservation updates, native gardening advice, and beautiful photo essays. We hope you enjoy this membership benefit!
Vol 9 No 1
Summer 2026
(Click the cover image to view the issue online.)
- Cover: 24 ways ordinary folks can support the fight to protect California’s embattled public lands
- Q&A: Meghan Hertel makes the case for biodiversity as the new director of the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Photo essay: The Verdant Venice Group turns its community into a diverse haven for native plants and pollinators
- Summer travel: 6 road trip-worthy destinations for native plant lovers of all ages
- A stunning rare plant revelation in San Luis Obispo county
Flora is a quarterly print magazine available only to CNPS members.
Recent issues
Spring 2026
In this issue:
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- A closer look at the efforts to protect native oak habitats in California
- Q&A: Dr. Naomi Fraga steps into the spotlight to help folks understand and save the desert’s precious native plants
- Photo essay: An explosion of living color marks Carrizo Plain National Monument’s 25th anniversary
- Native plants and wildlife alike get a boost from the new Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing
- After four decades in the business of native plants, the influential Tree of Life Nursery closes its doors
Winter 2026
In this issue:
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- How the Tule River Tribe reclaimed 17,000 acres of ancestral land in a conservation win for California
- Geneva E.B. Thompson on her groundbreaking role supporting tribes at the California Natural Resources Agency
- A closer look at 10 mosses and other bryophytes set to receive a spotlight at the 2026 CNPS Conference
- Krystle Hickman stirs buzz with her new book about native bees
- Four decades after its enduring makeover, a native plant showcase thrives at the San Francisco Botanical Garden
Fall 2025
A special issue about CNPS’s biodiversity campaign “Landscapes For Change,” including:
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- How one Los Angeles community worked together to create a native plant gem
- Interviews with six thought leaders making a difference for biodiversity
- Flora readers select 10 must-see public gardens featuring California native plants
- A look at the efforts to build native plant supply across the state
- Behind the scenes of Calscape’s new Pollinator Companion tool
Flora Archives
Volume 8
- Summer 2025
A special issue focused on CNPS’s “Saving What Matters Most” campaign - Fall 2025
A special issue focused on CNPS’s “Landscapes for Change” campaign - Winter 2026
How the Tule River Tribe reclaimed 17,000 acres of ancestral land in a conservation win for California
Volume 7
- Spring/Summer 2024
In this issue: Hope in Action - Winter 2025
In this issue: 50 resolutions for native plants in 2025 - Spring 2025
A closer look at the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands national monuments
Volume 6
- Winter 2024
In this issue: Snowy and Showy, Firescaping Your Home, Rooting Into Place, and Take Your Breath Away
Volume 5
- Summer 2022
In this issue: Planting Solace, Hasta La Tierra (To the Earth), and Sticky Monkeyflower Power - Spring 2022
In this issue: In Baja California, Seeking Solutions for Sage Poaching; How White Sage Went From an Indigenous Ceremonial Practice to Pop Culture’s Spiritual Cleansing Prop; and Spirit of the Sage Needs Protection - Winter 2022
In this issue: We Need Nature–and Each Other–More Than Ever, Tiny Plants Close Up, After the Fires, and Navigating Nurseries - Fall 2021
In this issue: In this issue: Ancient Oaks, Carnivorous Plants, Fighting to Save a Forest, and Plants the Mammoths Ate
Volume 4
- Summer 2021
In this issue: Winged Weavers, Invisible Forces, Barnali Ghosh, and A Galvanizing Vision - Spring 2021
In this issue: Seeing Forests, Win for Dudleya, Common Ground, and Bringing Native Foods Home - Winter 2021
In this issue: Turf to Surf, Aloha California, Steeped in Color, Tiny Voyagers, and Justice for Astragalus! - Fall 2020
In this issue: Sacred Pollinators, Save Conglomerate Mesa, Living with Bumblebees, and Tastes of California
Volume 3
- Summer 2020
In this issue: The Right to Go Outside, Picturing Climate, CNPS Art Challenge Results, Sheltering in Place with Native Plants - Spring 2020
In this issue: Natural Resources with Sec. Crowfoot, Restoring Fire to Sierra Habitats, Resilient Gardens, and Saving Walker Ridge - Winter 2020
In this issue: An Unlikely Resurrection, Ferns, Bill Craven on Policy, and Notes from the Field - Fall 2019
In this issue: Responsible Riding, Carbon Sequestration, Native Floral Arrangements, and Fun with Photosynthesis
Volume 2
- Summer 2019
In this issue: Summer in the Garden, Fire Recovery, An Antidote to the Attention Economy, and Victory at Union Mine High School - Spring 2019
In this issue: A conversation with iNaturalist creator, California Plant Rescue, Insect-Friendly Gardens, and California Wildflowers guide. - Winter 2019
In this issue: Native Brews, Living with Fire, The Law You Need to Know, Rare Plant Treasure Hunt - Fall 2018
Taking a Stand, Ohlone Culture Revitalized, Mapping the Present for the Future, and Native Gardening for HOAs
Volume 1
- Summer 2018
Restoring the North Coast’s Rock Gardens, Reflections on Citizen Impact, The Race to Stop the Shot Hole Borer, and Botanical Day Trips - Spring 2018
Read about Vernal pools, advice for year-round color, and conference photo, art, and botanic tattoo contest winners. - Winter 2018
Featuring behavioral ecologist Doug Tallamy, the North Coast dunes, and the Re-Oak Wine Country effort. - Fall 2017
Esri’s Jack Dangermond on an extraordinary world. Plus fall native plant recipes, Tejon Ranch, and Ford Ord restoration.
Advertise in Flora to reach 15,000 people!
Flora articles you can read today
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A Rare Plant Revelation in Central California
How CNPS botanists identified a rare plant bonanza in San Luis Obispo County -
Flora Magazine’s Guide to Defending Public Lands
24 ways ordinary folks can support the fight to protect California’s embattled landscapes