Program areas at Washington Native Plant Society
Native Plant Public Education and Publications: Washington Native Plant Society staff and volunteers provide a broad array of service to the public, its 12 chapters, and 2,300 members statewide, who range from professional experts to enthusiastic novices. Online training became a very popular offering, including subjects such as native pollinators, virtual plant walks, forest fire ecology, climate change, restoration projects and many others covering a large variety of subjects. Plant walks were also offered. A very popular Zoom workshop was Botanical Drawing. This was a 7-week course. This wide variety of education opportunities continues to attract all levels of expertise.
Native Plant Sales: WNPS chapters had hosted in-person plant sales in the past and during the pandemic came together to offer online sales at the chapter level for the sought after Native Plant Sales around the state. Customers liked the at-home shopping experience, along with knowing which plants are available. These sales provide extensive education and plant materials to home gardeners and landscapers utilizing native species in their landscapes. In 2022, an improved shopping model was developed, blending online with some selections of plants available during order pick up. Four chapter plant sale stores have been built, providing for chapter revenue to support programs, and resources in the community to support native plant gardening. Hundreds of customers have obtained plants through this program.
Youth Ecology Education Restoration (YEER): WNPS started a two-year pilot program in school years 2021-2023. It is an innovative new educational program, which ties WNPS stewards, teachers, students, and land managers together to bring the program to life. YEER includes two main components; a five-week Ecosystem Restoration Unit, during which students take on the role of restoration ecologists. The second is field experience, where the students partner with restoration experts, to implement restoration components typically over 3 days of field work. In 2022, the pilot program grew to include six schools, 3 in Western Washington and 3 in Eastern Washington with great results. The program included 1,414 students, 16 teachers, 24 WNPS or other stewards, and 10 Conservation District or Land Trust staff.