The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society
Who We Are
The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society was formed in 2021 by a small group from Middle Georgia who are passionate about the issues of native plant conservation, stewardship, and education. In 2025, our ~125 members hail from all over Middle Georgia, and we are active where our members are! We designed our signature native plant garden at Amerson River Park in Macon, but also have planted and maintain gardens at the Centerville Branch Library, the Old City Cemetery in downtown Macon, and two downtown planters in Milledgeville, and we provide support to the Perry Library Pollinator Project. We schedule multiple invasive plant removals each year, often in partnership with other groups, in Macon at Amerson River Park and Rose Hill Cemetery, and in Perry at Rotary Centennial Park, but have also tackled privet and eleagnus at the Oconee River Greenway and Selma Erwin trails in Baldwin County. We have partnered with local native plant nurseries — Juniper Creek Natives in Byron and Flat Creek Natives in Perry — to host workshops on topics such as propagation, irrigation, and saving seeds. Fringed Campion members also enjoy group native plant walks along area trails. We hope that you join us at an upcoming activity!
2026-2027 Chapter Board of Directors
- Andrew Benesh (President)
- Julie Savage (Vice President)
- Jessica Plante (Secretary)
- Donna Bennett (Treasurer)
- Lida Hill
- Michelle Edgar
Bylaws
Members of the Fringed Campion Chapter may view our chapter bylaws here.
Participate
The chapter board of directors meets over Zoom on the second Sunday of each month at 5:00 pm. The meeting is open to all chapter members. Contact fringedcampion@gnps.org for the zoom link.
Chapter committees accept new members at any time of the year. Let us know your interests and skills, and we can suggest a good fit for you! Committees include advocacy, communication, education, plant sales, propagation, plant rescue, and more.
Contact
- By email at fringedcampion@gnps.org
- By mail at: Fringed Campion Chapter, PO Box 13582, Macon, GA 31208
Follow
Join
Click here to start your one year membership with the Georgia Native Plant Society. When prompted, choose Fringed Campion (Macon) as your Chapter Affiliation. Selecting autorenew is an effortless way to stay connected with us year after year.
Support
If you are moved to financially support the chapter and our activities, online donations of any amount are gratefully accepted at: https://fringedcampiongnps.square.site/
Shop Our Online Store
Official chapter merchandise can now be purchased online! The current selections include t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, notebooks, and more. Each purchase supports the chapter and spreads awareness of Georgia Native Plants. Shop at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/fringed-campion-chapter-gnps/
Chapter News & Events
Call for Plant Sale Volunteers and Donations
Fringed Campion Chapter native plant sales get native plants into our neighborhoods and generate funds for activities and projects that support the chapter’s mission. All plants at the sale are donated by members. Volunteers at the plant sale engage with customers, helping them select the right native plant for the conditions in which they will be planted.
The next sale will be held on May 23, 2026 at the Smoke Stack Farmer’s Market. If you have an hour or more to help with set up beginning at 8 am, the sale from 9 am until 1 pm, and clean up from 1 pm until everything is packed away, please sign up using our Volunteer Form.
If you would like to donate some plants, please fill out this form to let us know what you will be bringing. Donations should be brought to Smoke Stack Farmer’s Market between 8 and 9 am on sale day.
Oaky Woods Ecosystem Exploration & Roadside Botanizing
The Fringed Campion Chapter returns to Oaky Woods WMA for an afternoon of Ecosystem Exploration & Roadside Botanizing on May 24, 2026 from 1 to 4 pm. The group will be led by Kenny Grieshop on a fun afternoon of community building with those who appreciate getting outdoors and learning about the natural world. Meet at the Kiosk at 12:45 pm to organize and sign the waiver. Carpooling from the kiosk area to the botanizing sites is encouraged. The walk should be considered moderate and may include: getting muddy, stepping over fallen branches, roots & rocks on the path, exposure to ticks, mosquitoes, gnats … well, everything that nature might send our way. Let’s go have fun!
Registration form: https://forms.gle/ghJspzhvG7U4g1MN9
Native Plant Sale at Smoke Stack Farmer’s Market May 23, 2026
The Fringed Campion Chapter will return to the Smoke Stack Farmer’s Market at 342 Rose Avenue on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 9 am until 1 pm for another native plant sale. Come visit with chapter members, learn about chapter activities, ask questions about native plant gardening, and shop a wide selection of native plants ideal for Middle Georgia. Our plants are propagated and donated by members passionate about the importance and beauty of native plants in the landscape.
Contact fringedcampion@gnps.org if you would like to volunteer your time or donate plants you have grown for the sale.
