Washington Native Plant Society

WNPS History

Members of the Washington Native Plant Society share a common interest in Washington's unique flora. Founded in 1976 on a brisk February day, WNPS has grown from a small group who assembled at the Pacific Science Center into a statewide community of roughly 3,000 members across a dozen active chapters. The charter members envisioned an organization dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, and study of Washington's native plants and their habitats.

Founding president Dr. Art Kruckeberg, professor emeritus of botany at the University of Washington and author of numerous papers and books on horticulture and native plants, remained a driving force behind the Society for decades. As he put it:

"We knew it would be successful because the flora of Washington is so extraordinarily rich there would always be people dedicated to its preservation and conservation."

Conservation & Advocacy

WNPS has long been an important voice for Washington's native plants, particularly in the protection of rare species. Founding members Dr. Art Kruckeberg and Dr. Melinda Denton helped identify and develop an early rare plant list that became the foundation for Washington's Natural Heritage Program, which today maintains a comprehensive information system helping land managers, planners, and researchers protect the state's sensitive plants. The Society has also spoken out in support of rare endemic species in Olympic National Park, threatened by damage from mountain goats introduced to the park in the 1920s. 

Stewardship & Education

Our Native Plant Stewardship program works at the local level, providing extensive training and on-the ground habitat restoration projects. Whether supporting a Green Seattle in city park or restoring shrub-steppe habitat in Eastern Washington, WNPS Native Plant Stewards lead recovery of Washington's heritage and native flora. Native Plant Stewards are also volunteering to support our Youth Ecology through Restoration (YEER) curriculum in Washington middle schools. Youth are learning about biodiversity in their local habitats and designing restoration projects to increase their local biodiversity through the presence of more native plants. Native Plant Stewards support these projects for success!

Grants
WNPS provides a small grants program statewide in support of native-plant-related education, conservation and research projects. These projects engage students, scientists, agencies and local municipalities, making a difference in their communities. In 2025, we have awarded seventeen grantees a total of $24,000 for projects across the state.  Your contribution can be a part of this fiscal support making a difference for youth and communities near you.

Chapters and Programming

Chapters are the very heartbeat of WNPS and are what most empower members to learn about native plants. Chapters hold regular meetings with programs, organize over 100 field trips each year, and are involved in various volunteer-lead projects related to native plant restoration, conservation, and education. WNPS offers botanical study weekends, educational workshops. Whether for professional development or personal fulfillment, these events can be life-changing.

Recognition

Our members, donors, and our Board of Directors provide significant contributions to this education on a regular basis. WNPS programs are open to the general public, with the intent of providing that additional education that can drive conservation around the state.

Your gift will help make it possible for WNPS to keep accomplishing great things in and for Washington, as we work to protect something irreplaceable.

A gift to Washington Native Plant Society is a gift to the wild in Washington!