California Native Plant Society

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 volunteers. In community science, the CNPS Fire Followers science project captures more than 62,000 observations in post-fire areas, contributing to our growing understanding of native plants in burn areas. Last, work on the California Native Seed Strategy continued, with 235 species identified as candidates for restoration seed.

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 its lands and coastal waters by 2030. One noteworthy highlight was the passage of Proposition 4, which secured $10 billion in much-needed long-term conservation funding for the implementation of conservation, restoration, and land management projects across the state. Today, CNPS is reaching more people than ever with nearly 250,000 social media followers and 50,000 email subscribers.