California Native Plant Society

Programs

1. Plant ScienceCalifornia's ambitious climate, working land, and biodiversity initiatives require the best available science on the state's native plants and habitats. With the State of California's record investment in vegetation mapping, the CNPS Vegetation Program partnered to complete 5 million acres of vegetation mapping, 100 additions or updates to the Manual of California Vegetation, and monitoring and sampling of 120 federally managed public lands. Vegetation mapping on Californias Central Coast was a highlight with 2,500 new vegetation surveys, more than 10,000 existing surveys compiled. More than 190 plant alliances and 1,556 rare and sensitive plant species were mapped. During this same time, CNPS Rare Plant Program Staff vouchered 522 plants, surveyed 225 rare plants, and made 46 status additions and updates to the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory. A highlight was the teams conservation work in the Caldor Fire burn scar, where the Rare Plant team and volunteers collected 85,000 rare plant seeds for seed-banking and 19 herbarium vouchers. Together, they collected 157 data points across 58 populations of target species, thanks in part to more than 600 hours of support from CNPS…

   $4,843,279 spentof which $182 as grants$3,767,637 earned by the program
   64% of program spending

2. Engagement & OutreachThis year, CNPS Education, Horticulture, and Public Affairs staff worked to engage the public, strengthen partnerships, and educate decision-makers through a wide range of activities. In Education, CNPS prepared for the 2026 CNPS Conference by forming its Conference Planning Committee and beginning its work under the theme: Growing the Movement Together for Native Plants. Education Staff also designed the new Biodiversity in Urban Gardens community science project, launching in late 2025/early 2026. The team awarded 15 student research grantees over $14,000 in funding, welcomed 110 participants to sold-out plant science workshops, and, under the leadership of the CNPS Rare Plant Program, awarded 94 new Certified California Botanists. Horticulture staff began work on cooperative agreements with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to scale up native plant production and habitat for pollinators, and introduced the new, interactive Calscape Garden Planner on Calscape.org. In Public Affairs, the team continued its leadership role in the Power in Nature coalition, advocating with partners statewide for the State of Californias goal to protect 30% of…

   $1,612,051 spentof which $341,849 as grants$145,730 earned by the program
   21% of program spending

3. ConservationThe CNPS Conservation Program works with volunteers, staff, and partners to undertake the environmental review, legal action, and advocacy needed to protect California native plants and habitats today and into the future. This year, CNPS Conservation and Public Affairs staff launched a new Advocacy Corps to support its grassroots network of volunteers at key moments of decision-making. In January, CNPS staff and volunteer representatives were invited to the White House to celebrate the designations of Stttla and Chuckwalla National Monuments. The new monuments coupled with the May 2024 expansions of Berryessa Snow Mountain and San Gabriel Mountains National Monuments represented nearly 1 million newly conserved acres in California! As the new federal administration took office, CNPS and partners across the state pivoted to a statewide defense campaign to ensure Californias new national monuments and public lands stay in public hands with the highest levels of protection for native plants and habitats. CNPS also provided comment letters and initiated litigation to protect imperiled habitats and plants, including a case against the Jurupa Valley City Council to protect a…

   $608,756 spent
   8% of program spending

4. PUBLICATIONSThe CNPS Publication Program provides a unique platform for native plants and the people studying and advocating for them. Subject matter spans scientific, horticultural, cultural, conservation, and educational topics surrounding native plants. This year, CNPS published Part II of a special issue of its science journal, Artemisia -- Indigenous Perspectives: Native Plants and Climate Change. The program also published three editions of its popular Flora magazine (distribution ~15,000) along with California's first comprehensive guide to lupine titled, "Lupines of California" by Teresa Sholars and Stuart Wilson.

   $255,300 spent$96,608 earned by the program
   3% of program spending

5. Chapter SupportCNPS's 35 chapters are the face of the native plant movement in communities across California and Baja California, Mexico. This year, CNPS volunteers contributed 157,000 volunteer hours, the equivalent of 430 hours a day! CNPS staff support volunteer-led chapter work in a technical assistance capacity, ranging from plant science and CEQA-process training to communications and operational guidance. Staff hosts coordinating meetings, provides professional best practice guidelines, and oversees and provides training in technical platforms including websites, Zoom, email marketing, volunteer management tools, and online sales. Staff also updates an extensive online chapter handbook, directories, codes of conduct, and other administrative tools. Highlights of chapter activities this year include: volunteer contributions for vegetation mapping and rare plant work in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the Central Coast, far Northern California, and the Caldor Fire burn area; a City of Ukiah grant to the CNPS Sanhedrin Chapter for native plants in public spaces; Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Gold Resolution award for the Milo Baker Chapters native plant restoration at…

   $225,543 spent$55,513 earned by the program
   3% of program spending

The 5 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $7,544,929.