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
Chapter Programs Reached Many Community Groups During June
West Georgia Chapter members were involved in a whirlwind of community outreach activities during June. In addition to the STEM teacher training reported previously (https://gnps.org/native-plant-education-for-stem-teachers/), members were involved in three other events.
On June 2 Carol Hight did a presentation for the Master Gardeners’ Camp Dirty Knees on how to attract birds to your yard. Camp Dirty Knees is a summer program to teach children about gardening, hosted by the Carroll County Master Gardeners. Carol taught campers how birds depend on native plants for food and shelter.
On June 21 Diane Rooks, Ann Ethridge and Carol Hight presented a program called “How to Landscape for the Birds” at the Neva Lomason Library. After the presentation, participants potted and took home native plants that will provide seeds for birds in the fall. Plants were donated by the chapter.
On June 26 Amy Rhodes gave a presentation at the Paulding County UGA Extension Office titled “A Perspective on Beauty in the Landscape: Recovering Native Plants.” Attendees included Paulding Master Gardeners and community homeowners. Amy discussed the history of turf grass lawns; their environmental, ecological, and economic consequences; and how to change our perspective on what’s beautiful in the landscape while restoring biodiversity through use of native plants.
Kudos to our chapter educators for all of these great events! If you would like to help with educational programs for community groups, please email info_westgeorgia@gnps.org.
Invasive Plant Panel at August Chapter Meeting
The West Georgia Chapter’s August 20 meeting will focus on identifying and removing invasive plants. A panel of chapter members with extensive habitat restoration experience will discuss how to spot and eliminate a number of common invasive plants, such as Chinese privet, stilt grass, English ivy, Chinese wisteria, nandina, and perilla. After the presentation, the panel will take questions from the audience. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick the brains of people who have spent years fighting invasive plants. Please join us for a reception at 6:30 with light refreshments, followed by the program at 7:00 and drawing for door prizes afterwards. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
Native Plant Education for STEM Teachers
One of the West Georgia Chapter’s goals is community education, and our efforts are led by Education Co-Directors Diane Rooks and Ann Ethridge. Some of their many past projects include Camp Dirty Knees, the native plant garden at Neva Lomason Library, and the bee garden at Central Elementary School.
Diane, together with Carol Hight and Beth Chance, recently participated in an outdoor learning professional development workshop at the University of West Georgia for area STEM teachers. (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.) The three West Georgia Chapter members led a session titled “Green Thumb: Cultivating Schoolyard Gardens and Soil Science.” They presented steps and suggestions for creating and maintaining school gardens, and they instructed participants on soil sampling, soil amendments, and soil mixtures for various types of plants. They stressed the importance of including plants that bloom at various times in order to have a continuous source for pollinators from early spring until frost. The teachers then had an opportunity to create their own soil mixture and pot up some plants for their gardens. Carol provided participants with plants from her propagation nursery that will bloom in spring, summer, and fall. The chapter volunteers also presented a short version of a program that they take to schools, titled “You like to Eat, Don’t You?” This presentation shows the importance of pollinators for food production.
Events like this one are a wonderful opportunity to get our message out to educators and the children they teach. If you’re a chapter member and would like to help with educational programs for community groups, please send an email to info_westgeorgia@gnps.org and let us know that you’d like to join the education team.
August 24 – Nature Walk and Pollinator Census
