Welcome

The Kentucky Native Plant Society was founded in 1986 for everyone interested in the native plants and wildflowers of Kentucky. Plants are essential to both the well-being of our Commonwealth’s natural ecosystems and our enjoyment of its unique environment. With members in Kentucky and neighboring states, the Kentucky Native Plant Society is a leader in promoting education about, appreciation for, and conservation of our native flora.

KNPS depends entirely on volunteers and the contributions of members and friends to accomplish our goals. If you are not a member, please consider joining today. If you are a member, now would be a great time to renew your membership. You can also make a tax deductable general donation to KNPS. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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What's Happening

Read the latest posts on the site.
Native Plant Suppliers & Service Providers Listing

Native Plant Suppliers & Service Providers Listing

Many KNPS members and friends are passionate native plant gardeners and are always on the look out for sources of native plants and seeds. Beginning native plant gardeners also often …
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Kentucky Botanical Symposium (Virtual)

Kentucky Botanical Symposium (Virtual)

The Kentucky Native Plant Society (KNPS) is hosting our annual botanical symposium on Thursday, January 26th from 9AM-11:30AM EST. For several years, KNPS has organized a botanical symposium in the fall/winter …
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Help Pick a Design for the 2023 Wildflower Weekend T-Shirt

Help Pick a Design for the 2023 Wildflower Weekend T-Shirt

In the 1990s, and into the early 2000’s, KNPS produced t-shirts for each Wildflower Weekend. Planning has already begun for Wildflower Weekend 2023 (April 14th-16th, at Cumberland Falls State Resort …
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How to convert cool-season lawn into native plantings

How to convert cool-season lawn into native plantings

The majority of turf and pasture species in Kentucky are cool-season species from the Old World. In suburban yards, these species might include Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), orchard grass (Dactylis …
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<strong>Clarks Rivers NWR Buffalo Clover (<em>Trifolium reflexum</em>) evaluation and conservation</strong>

Clarks Rivers NWR Buffalo Clover (Trifolium reflexum) evaluation and conservation

The native clovers of eastern North America are relics of the complex mosaic landscapes present prior to European settlement (Gillett and Taylor, 2001). Of these species, buffalo clover is an …
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KNPS 2022 Fall Meeting provides information and community

KNPS 2022 Fall Meeting provides information and community

Everybody needs family. Biological relationships aren’t necessary, but we humans need groups who are like us. Or, if not entirely like us, then others interested or concerned with the same …
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Save the Date! The 2023 Kentucky Botanical Symposium (virtual) - January 26, 2023

Save the Date! The 2023 Kentucky Botanical Symposium (virtual) – January 26, 2023

KNPS will be hosting our annual, virtual, botanical symposium on Thursday, January 26th, from 9AM-11:30PM EST …
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Save the Date! KNPS Wildflower Weekend 2023 - April 14th-16th, 2023

Save the Date! KNPS Wildflower Weekend 2023 – April 14th-16th, 2023

Save the date: 2023 Wildflower Weekend will be April 14th-16th at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park …
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President's Message

President’s Message

As we move into late fall, Kentucky remains in drought conditions, with most of the state in moderate to severe drought. Down here in the Jackson Purchase we have had …
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KNPS Fall Meeting - Oct. 15, Blue Licks Battlefield SRP

KNPS Fall Meeting – Oct. 15, Blue Licks Battlefield SRP

Join with KNPS members and friends for our first, in-person fall meeting since 2019. Our 2022 Fall Meeting will be held at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park on Saturday, October 15th …
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KNPS attends Bluebirds of Central Kentucky's first festival

KNPS attends Bluebirds of Central Kentucky’s first festival

September 24 was a gorgeously mild fall day, perfect for Bluebirds of Central Kentucky’s first festival. This organization’s mission is to improve habitat for one of Kentucky’s most beautiful native …
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From the Lady Slipper Archives: Kentucky’s Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.)

From the Lady Slipper Archives: Kentucky’s Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.)

Common milkweed pods are ripening and distributing seeds all over Kentucky. Enjoy this in-depth discussion of our most widespread milkweed species, Asclepias syriaca …
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WHAT WE DO

KNPS works towards fulfilling our mission of education, preservation, and protection of the native plants and ecosystems of Kentucky through many activities.
Field Trips

Field Trips

KNPS conducts field trips across the Commonwealth. Trip leaders are familiar with the plants that will be found in the area being explored. Field trips are a great way to see and learn about the native plants of Kentucky.

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Workshops & Symposia

Workshops & Symposia

One way the Society fulfills its mission of education is through workshops and symposiums on native plant studies and native plant identification. Workshops are narrowly focused, with a single instructor. Symposiums generally cover a broad range of topics with multiple presenters.

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Conservation

Conservation

Through activities ranging from the propagation and restoration of rare native species, through the organized removal of invasive species, KNPS acts to preserve and protect our native ecosystems.

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Annual Events

Annual Events

Wildflower Weekend, at Natural Bridge SRP is a two day event in the spring that includes guided hikes, workshops, evening presentations, and opportunities to socialize with other native plant enthusiasts. Later in the year we have the Fall Meeting, at parks in other areas of the Commonwealth.

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Student Research Grants

KNPS is pleased to announce the student research grant program, a funding source to support botanical knowledge and understanding in Kentucky. We are pleased to offer awards of $500 for graduate student projects, and $250 for undergraduate projects.
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Kentucky Botanical Hall of Fame

At a meeting in early 2015, the Kentucky Native Plant Society Board voted to establish a “Kentucky Botany Hall of Fame.” The intent of this Hall of Fame would be to recognize those people that had left a “substantial and long-lasting impact” on our knowledge of the flora and vegetation of the Commonwealth.

André Michaux (1746—1802

André Michaux (1746—1802)
The Father of Kentucky Botany
Go to Hall of Fame

Memorials

Over the years, the Kentucky Native Plant Society has lost several members who were seminal in the organization and development of the Society and who have provided important services to the "preservation and protection of native plants and ecological systems" in Kentucky.

VIEW MEMORIALS

KNPS Executive Committee

Jeff Nelson

Jeff Nelson

President

Heidi Braunreiter

Heidi Braunreiter

Vice-President

Kelly Watson

Kelly Watson

Secretary

Steele McFadden

Steele McFadden

Treasurer

Contact Us

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