Enjoyment, Conservation, & Study
Pumice fields at Broken Top volcano. (Norm Jensen) Oregonians live in a state with exceptional natural beauty and diversity that includes alpine lava fields to coastal sand dunes.
For nearly 50 years, members of the Native Plant Society of Oregon have been visiting the wild places of Oregon to enjoy, conserve, and study its natural vegetation. Founded in Portland in 1961, NPSO has grown to a statewide network of 13 chapters with nearly 1000 members. We invite you to join us!
What We Do
NPSO works tirelessly for plant and habitat conservation. Oregon would not have an Endangered Species Act if, in the mid-80s, NPSO members had not sought out farsighted legislators, attended endless committee meetings, testified at hearings, and educated legislative staff in order to explain the importance of plant protection.
Today, NPSO state conservation chairs track major issues and chapters are involved in local efforts to protect and conserve threatened and endangered species. We carry out rare plant surveys and monitoring programs; we have developed guidelines and policy regarding native plant gardening, ethics, grazing, mining, and forest management; and we are involved in plant salvage and re-introduction.
Chapters sponsor field trips and work parties, involving our members in conservation of Oregon's diverse plant heritage.
NPSO is pleased to offer a yearly college scholarship for study within the State, as well as field research grants for botany students, giving many young people the opportunity for hands-on experience in plant research and conservation.
NPSO is proud to be helping the Oregon Flora Project in its efforts to produce a modern Flora, an online Atlas of Oregon Plants, and up-to-date Plant Checklists.
We Need You!
What benefits can NPSO membership offer you? Monthly chapter meetings with interesting speakers, programs, and workshops; field trips to see unusual land forms and uncommon plants; and the Annual Meeting at a beautiful location to celebrate the blooming of the wildflowers.
Your membership also includes the Bulletin, our monthly newsletter which provides news of meetings, field trips, and special events, and a subscription to our yearly journal, Kalmiopsis. You will also have the opportunity to purchase NPSO Occasional Papers.
NPSO is a member of Earth Share, whose logo we display on our publications and website.
The online discussion list (or listserver) is a means for NPSO members and others to communicate on topics of mutual interest. Using the list, it is possible to send one e-mail message that is delivered to all the list subscribers, and to reply the same way.
Discussion list topics range from field trip reports and queries about specific plants to job announcements and notices of actions which may impact native plants. Some topics elicit many replies and points of view, with the discussion extending over several days; others take just one post.
Join the discussion list(If that doesn't work for you, just send an email to majordomo [at] tardigrade.net, with subscribe npso as the body of the message.)
(Background & policy papers, all in PDF format.)
Annual ReportThe Native Plant Society of Oregon does not discriminate in regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, or legal source of income. This policy applies to persons served, board members, and any staff which we may employ.
NPSO is a 501 (c) (3), public benefit, non-profit corporation. As such, contributions are tax deductible as provided by law.