California Native Plant Society

The mission of CNPS is to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats, and increase understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. Our vision includes a future where: · Californians actively support the Society's mission, which is accomplished through education, plant science, advocacy, land stewardship and native plant gardening. · Californians value native plants, plant communities and healthy ecosystems as essential to the well-being of all living things. · Californians can experience native plants throughout the state, in natural environments and human-made landscapes. · California’s extensive and interconnected natural habitats are preserved. · CNPS is the leader for providing reliable information on California native plants and plant conservation. Comprehensive information about California’s flora and vegetation communities is available throughout the state for conservation and educational purposes. · CNPS’s leadership influences personal ethics and actions, as well as public policy for native plant protection.

In San Luis Obispo County, we work to promote public awareness of the benefits of native plants in and around our communities, we talk about native plants in gardens and landscapes, we visit local schools and universities to talk about native plants, we restore areas where invasive weeds dominate, we work with governmental agencies to help to assess their native plant resources, we work to conserve native habitats, especially rare plants, by conducting field studies and educational walks, and we present lectures and workshops on native plant science throughout the county.