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
How to Design and Install Drip and Mist Irrigation Systems 2/10/24 1 PM
Registrants will be contacted if event is cancelled for any reason and a full refund will be issued.
Propagation Through Germination Workshop
Join The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society at Juniper Creek Natives in Byron, GA on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 from 1:00 PM until about 4:00 PM for a hands-on germination workshop.
The workshop will be led by Whit Kirkland, owner of Juniper Creek Natives.
This workshop will explore winter sowing in milk jugs as a low-cost alternative to buying expensive equipment such as grow lights and heat mats. We will discuss different systems for winter sowing and how to stratify seed when it is not winter. Seed saving and storage will also be covered.
You will learn the advantages of this propagation method, types of planting medium, and how to sow seed. Participants are encouraged to bring 3 or 4 one-gallon CLEAN milk jugs they will plant with seeds and take home. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their seeding skills by sowing seed for future Fringed Campion Chapter Plant Sales.
Participation is limited to 15. Pre-registration and $20 payment is required. Registration will close when workshop is full or on Jan. 11, whichever comes first. Sign up at https://fringedcampiongnps.square.site/
Workshop will be outdoors, so dress accordingly. Bring a chair, native wildflower seed (seed will be provided if you don’t have seeds), a trowel and garden gloves. Bring your empty milk jugs in a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag in order to protect your car on the way home. Germination mix and seed will be provided.Registrants will be contacted if event is cancelled for any reason and a full refund will be issued.
Weed Wrangle Georgia 2024 on January 15
GNPS will host our first ever statewide “Weed Wrangle” on January 15th, MLK Jr. Day of Service. Weed Wrangle is a one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering plants. While many of us work regularly at invasive plant removal, we hope to promote participation, awareness and camaraderie during this national day of community service. Participating locations include:
- Augusta’s River Region – Pendleton King Park, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Coastal Plain Chapter – GA Museum of Agriculture Nature Trail in Tifton, 9:00 a.m.
- Fringed Campion Chapter – Oconee River Greenway (400 E Greene St, Milledgeville), 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Click here to register.
- Intown Atlanta Chapter
- Mary Scott Nature Preserve (4150 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the kiosk in the main parking lot.
- Herbert Taylor and Daniel Johnson Park (1343 Pasadena Ave. NE, Atlanta) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meet at the kiosk. Easy street parking available.
- WD Thomson Park (1760 Mason Mill Rd., Decatur) from 2 to 5 p.m. Meet in the lower parking area.
- Orme Park (795 Brookridge Dr., Atlanta) from 10 a.m.to 12 p.m. Meet at the main park sign.
- Arabia Mountain (3787 Klondike Rd., Stonecrest) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the ranger station.
- North Metro Atlanta Chapter – Old Rucker Park in Alpharetta from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Click here for details and to register.
- West Georgia Chapter – Buffalo Creek Trail in Carrollton from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Click here for details and to register.
Look for information on individual events from each GNPS chapter. We hope you’ll participate and bring along your friends and family too!
Annual Meeting Report
Thank you to the more than 100 chapter members and friends of GNPS who joined us for our 2023 annual meeting last Sunday at the Kendeda Living Building at Georgia Tech. Over the course of two hours, we shared updates from our second full year as a chapter; broke out into small groups to learn about volunteer opportunities with our committees; heard from GNPS Executive Director, Nikki Belmonte; engaged in a panel discussion on converting your non-native lawn to native plant habitat; and learned more about the history of the Kendeda Building’s carbon-negative design and Gold Certified native plant habitat. It was a great afternoon! Presentation slides from the meeting can be viewed here. Be on the lookout for our December chapter newsletter, where we will spotlight more native plant “wins” from this year.
A few chapter updates of note:
- Bylaw revisions – approved! Intown GNPS will now have 7-10 board members (previously 3-7 members) and each board member will serve a 3-year term (previously a 2-year term), with the option to run for re-election. We hope these changes will provide our all-volunteer run chapter with continuity and leadership bench strength to keep growing!
- Board elections – Three new members were elected to the Chapter Board of Directors, with terms to begin January 1. Please welcome Sarah Lawrence, Laura Qaadri, and Taryn Heidel to our Intown leadership!
- Ways to engage – Missed the meeting but want to sign up to volunteer in the new year by joining a committee or a pod? Looking to engage with native plant enthusiasts in your neighborhood through our “Community Pods” effort? Complete this short form and we will be in touch.
- Recovering America’s Wildlife Act – Advocate for native plants! Advocacy committee chairs Kathleen Darling & Sally Phipps shared this urgent call to action via the National Wildlife Federation.
Mark your calendar
Restoration Committee
Our chapter’s Restoration Committee, led by Suzy Nicksic, Marti Breen, and Jane Trentin, invites you to come dig in the dirt and learn restoration best practices:
Arabia Mountain Trail Revitalization Training & Workday
Sunday, December 3
Time: 1-3:30pm
Meeting Location: Meet at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center: 3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA.
Join Ranger Shaundon at Arabia Mountain for a Trail Revitalization Workday. Our efforts will focus on identifying and removing non-native species, pruning back aggressive plants, log removal, and enhancing overall habitat quality. This workday is great for anyone that wants to understand the basics of trail/forest care and maintenance. Our work will help enhance the safety of preserve visitors, and improve habitat for the wildlife that call Arabia Mountain home.
There’s an optional Tea and S’more time at the Ranger Station after the workday ends!
Wear closed-toed shoes, long sleeves and pants. Dress for the weather & uneven terrain. We have tools! But, bring your own gloves and water.
- Programming and Education Committee planning meeting January 7, 2024 from 10 to noon. Contact Donna Shapiro if you are interested in helping plan next year’s activities.
- Advocacy Committee Meeting January 10, 2024 from 6-7pm on Zoo. Contact Sally Phipps for the link.
Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon Invasive Plant Removal Dec. 2 9-11 AM
Please join Fringed Campion Chapter members and friends on their ongoing quest to remove non-native invasive plant species (English ivy, privet, mimosa, Bradford pear, Chinese tallow, paper mulberry) from the historic Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, GA.
Those thorny olives are called thorny for a reason! We recommend that participants dress for garden work (long pants, long sleeves, gloves, hat, boots) and bring a water bottle (stay hydrated my friends!) as well as any tools you have to cut or lop those target woody invaders. Participants must be 12 years or older, participants under 18 must have an adult participating, and all participants must sign the GNPS waiver of liability before working.
For any last minute updates, visit the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/2376553219196580