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 deductible 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.

Wildflower Weekend 2026 Logo Design Contest: We Have A Winner!

For the third year, in the spirit of bringing together creative expression and love for nature, the KNPS Board sponsored a Wildflower Weekend 2026 Logo Design Contest …

Volunteers planting the pollinator garden.

KNPS Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Native Plant Pollinator Garden Grant

The Kentucky Native Plant Society (KNPS) is thrilled to open applications for its 2026 Native Plant Pollinator Garden Grant. Grants of $500 will be awarded to several applicants to promote …

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KNPS Announces 2026 Student Research Grants!

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? …

Richard L. Cassell (1944-2025)

On December 24, 2025, one of the original members of KNPS, Richard L. Cassell, died at his home in Louisville …

Wildflower Weekend 2026 – Student Poster Session Abstract Submission and Scholarship Application

Because of the success of the Student Research Poster Sessions in 2025, KNPS is going to host these sessions again in 2026 …

Save the Date! KNPS Wildflower Weekend 2026 – April 17-19, 2026

We have exciting news for all of our members and friends! KNPS is happy to announce this year’s Wildflower Weekend is scheduled for April 17th -19th, 2026, at Natural Bridge …

Botany Blitz 2026 & Kick Off Hikes – Call for Hike Leaders

Leading up to Wildflower Weekend 2026, at Natural Bridge SRP, KNPS will be holding our 6th annual Botany Blitz 2026, which will run from Saturday, April 11th, through Sunday, April …

KNPS Needs You! 🌿

The Kentucky Native Plant Society has always depended on volunteers and the contributions of members and friends to accomplish our goals. Over its 40 years, hundreds of people have volunteered …

President’s Message: An Introduction and a Botanical 2025

Hello all native plant and nature lovers! As we enter 2026, KNPS has transitioned into a new term with new officers. As your new KNPS President, I would like to …

Register for the 5th Annual, Virtual, Kentucky Botanical Symposium

The Kentucky Native Plant Society (KNPS) and the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (OKNP) is co-hosting the 5th annual Kentucky Botanical Symposium on Wednesday, January 14th, from 9:00AM-12:00PM EST …

KNPS Director Heidi Braunreiter Receives National Award

The Natural Areas Association (NAA) has named Heidi Braunreiter, Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator for the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (OKNP), as recipient of the 2025 Rising Leader Award for …

Calling all Artists & Graphic Designers! Enter the Wildflower Weekend 2026 Logo Design Contest

If you are an artist or graphic designer we would love for you to consider entering the Wildflower Weekend 2026 Logo Design Contest. This is an open design contest to …

Editor’s Note – December 2025

Dear readers, I’m so excited to join KNPS as Managing Editor! Kentucky soil is chock-full of some of the most fascinating species, and I can’t wait to talk about them …

President’s Message – December, 2025

As Fall winds down and the Winter Solstice fast approaches, this time of year is one of reflection and consideration of the year that is passing and the year to …

Frost Flowers: Neither flowers nor frost!

Get ready and be observant on these cold mornings. We are now entering the time of year when we will begin seeing one of Nature’s loveliest and most evanescent phenomenons …

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.

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

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)
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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