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.
Kentucky Native Plant Suppliers and Contractors

Kentucky Native Plant Suppliers and Contractors

Are you a native plant nursery or contractor in Kentucky? Our website features a list of plant nurseries in Kentucky that grow and sell native plants. We are working to …

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KNPS Native Plant Stewardship and Biodiversity Awards 2021

KNPS Native Plant Stewardship and Biodiversity Awards 2021

The Kentucky Native Plant Society recently began formally recognizing individuals by honoring their work with Native Plant Awards in association with the annual Kentucky Botanical Symposium. These individuals are recognized …

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2021 KNPS Botanical Symposium Videos

On Wednesday, December 8, KNPS held our second virtual Botanical Symposium. Close to 90 folks were able to attend online to hear and see several presentations about our native plants …

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KNPS Announces 2022 Research Grants for Students and Citizen Scientists!

Did you know that the Kentucky Native Plant Society offers small grants to help defer the costs of botanical research, inventory and native plant restoration? Since 2012, KNPS has awarded …

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Reforesting in the Bluegrass

Reforesting in the Bluegrass

For several years after 2015, I had begun to periodically visit Hisle Park in northeast Fayette County, and I was mystified by a property along Briar Hill Road where a …

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Want to Learn Kentucky Trees?

Want to Learn Kentucky Trees?

Winter is a good time to focus on trees, and The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, in Lexington is a wonderful place to make a start in improving your …

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Presidents Message

Presidents Message

As we send out our last newsletter of the year, I wanted to give thanks for all our membership for supporting Kentucky Native Plant Society over the years and all …

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2021 KNPS Botanical Symposium (virtual)

2021 KNPS Botanical Symposium (virtual)

Kentucky Native Plant Society (KNPS) is hosting our annual botanical symposium on Wednesday, December 8th from 9AM-12PM EST. For several years, KNPS has organized a botanical symposium in the fall/winter …

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Creating an organic swimming pool

Creating an organic swimming pool

Two of my favorite things are floating in the water and growing native plants–so building an organic swimming pool has been on my wish list for years. We finally finished …

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Wood Lily (Lilium phildelphicum) Conservation in the Cumberland Plateau

Wood Lily (Lilium phildelphicum) Conservation in the Cumberland Plateau

The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves and partners have been working on a project to protect, connect, and restore populations of the state endangered wood lily (Lilium phildelphicum), and its …

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Follow a growing trend and organize your own seed swap

Follow a growing trend and organize your own seed swap

When I was asked to write a summary of our Kentucky native plants and seeds swaps in Louisville, Kentucky, I was excited to share, but I also felt a bit …

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Yellow trumpet honeysuckle

Unusual naturally occurring variant or escape from cultivation?

The native species of trumpet honeysuckle is a deciduous woody vine that typically grows to about 15 feet. It produces red tubular flowers with a yellow throat and is pollinated …

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Wildflower Weekend 2022

In anticipation of being able to hold in-person meetings again, KNPS would like you to save the date for Wildflower Weekend 2022. The next annual event will be held April 8th -10th 2022 at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky.

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.

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KNPS Executive Committee

Tara Littlefield

Tara Littlefield

President

Heidi Braunreiter

Heidi Braunreiter

Vice-President

Kelly Watson

Kelly Watson

Secretary

Steele McFadden

Steele McFadden

Treasurer

Contact Us

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