Chapters in Georgia Native Plant Society
History
Over two decades ago, the Georgia Native Plant Society was founded by people based in metro Atlanta. Since that time, their initiative and message around the importance of native plants to our lives and the ability of individuals to make a difference locally in their protection, stewardship, rescue and propagation, has spread across Georgia and in fact across the USA. Today our members are served in other locations across the state where local groups are providing educational information, restoration opportunities and opportunities to learn more.
Realignment
In November 2019, GNPS adopted new bylaws, which implemented a state-wide governing board to set organizational policy, define its strategic vision, and directly support chapter activities. This new organizational structure paved the way for more chapters to form throughout Georgia.
Join a chapter
There are currently 8 chapters of the Georgia Native Plant Society. As a member of GNPS you too can get to work and join like minded people in your area by aligning yourself with one of our chapters.
For current members, login and update your chapter affiliation through the chapter affiliation form. For new or renewing members, select your chapter affiliation on the membership form.
Form a chapter
Let us know if you are interested in learning more about how to join or start up a local chapter near you in the state of Georgia by using the Contact Us form. Current members can also use the Chapter Interest Form. To learn more about the overall process, view the Chapter Quick Start Guide. For a more in-depth guide to forming and running a chapter, see the Chapter Manual.
News & Events
Contest for Intown Atlanta logo designs!
GNPS Intown Atlanta Chapter Native Plant Habitat Tour
You’re invited to join us for the first GNPS Intown Atlanta Chapter Native Plant Habitat Tour on Saturday, April 2 from 10am-4pm! The $10 ticket donation includes one admission to all five habitat sites. For details and to buy tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gnps-intown-native-plant-habitat-tour-tickets-292218151357
We still need a few more volunteers to sit for a three-hour shift at one of the tour sites at the GNPS check-in table on the day of the tour. If you can help, please contact ljmarkson@att.net and indicate if you are available from 10-1 or 1-4.
Creating healthy landscapes with native plants is a natural, chemical-free, and lower maintenance way to offer critical wildlife connections and essential pollinator pathways. Our intown Atlanta spring native plant habitat tour is an opportunity to connect with other intown native plant friends new and old and get inspiration for ways to increase biodiversity by adding more native plants to your own yard or patio as you wander through relaxing habitats created to restore nature.
Tickets include admission to all five habitat sites during the tour in the order the ticket holder chooses and a virtual tour brochure the week of the tour with addresses and detailed information about each site so you can enjoy the habitats at your convenience. Someone from each property and a GNPS volunteer will be available on site the day of the tour.
Our February Chapter Meeting with Donna Shearer
Did you know that Eastern Hemlocks support about 120 species of vertebrates and more than 90 bird species, provide shade to rare and endangered native plants, remove tons of carbon dioxide from the air, and serve to filter pollutants along streambanks?
This beautiful keystone species has been losing its native range for over 50 years due to the proliferation of the wooly adelgid. Donna Shearer, founder of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks, has dedicated many years to educating and organizing Georgians to fight the threat and restore dying trees. At the February meeting of the North Georgia Mountains Chapter of GNPS, Shearer gave a fascinating and detailed picture of the state of the hemlock from the tree’s economic impact to effective treatments for hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA). Attendees received a wealth of information directly from Shearer as well as a gentle nudge to volunteer for the cause.
Save Georgia’s Hemlocks is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. In addition to public education, the organization maintains a website, www.savegeorgiashemlocks.org and a Hemlock Help Line, 706-429-8010. They also have treated seedlings available for adoption.
South Georgia Field Trip
Join Chapter friends for a full day field trip on Feb. 12, 2022 to South Georgia for guided tours of Lost Creek Forest and Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve. Details are in this document.
Lake Lanier Chapter Interest Meeting
Are you in the Lake Lanier area and interested in joining a new GNPS chapter? If so, please join us for a virtual Lake Lanier chapter interest meeting on Sunday, December 5th at 4 PM. Once you register you will receive the instructions for joining the event.
Click here to register for the Lake Lanier Chapter Interest Meeting
What we’ll be focusing on during the meeting:
- Meeting other chapter area members
- Reviewing the chapter quick start guide
- Choosing the startup committee
- Discussing the name of the chapter
- Discussing potential meeting locations
- and more!
We look forward to “seeing” you there!