About the Redbud Chapter

CNPS Redbud Chapter

The Redbud Chapter of the California Native Plant Society welcomes all native-plant lovers in Nevada and Placer counties. We are dedicated to exploring, educating, researching, and writing about the diversity and beauty of our native flora.

Placer and Nevada Counties are located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Although these two counties represent only 1.5% of the land mass of California, 35% of its vascular plants are found here. Our native plants grace the landscape in habitats from the Sacramento valley grasslands, through the foothills, oak woodlands, conifer forests, and mountain meadows, to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This land area encompasses a large variation in elevation, rainfall, and temperature. The snowmelt from the rugged peaks feeds into the Yuba, Bear, American and Rubicon Rivers with water to support the more populous areas of the state.

The California Native Plant Society, and the Redbud Chapter, are “dedicated to increasing the understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants, and to preserving them and their natural habitats for future generations.” We do this “through science, conservation advocacy, education, and horticulture…”

As part of our mission, the Redbud Chapter has researched, written and published two definitive guides covering over 700 wildflowers, shrubs and trees of Nevada and Placer Counties. A second edition of our Wildflowers book was published in Spring 2017. Those can be purchased from the CNPS store using the following links: Trees and Shrubs – Wildflowers

We learn, teach, protect, and advocate for local plants and habitats through our field trips and our active committees on rare plants, conservation, and education. Our grants to local schools and non-profits, and our scholarships to students and researchers, also advance these goals.

Our annual “Passionate about Native Plants” series touches on a wide range of topics, including science (the physics of flora), public issues (land use management polices), and horticulture (growing plants).

We hold an annual Fall Native Plant Sale and Festival featuring California native trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and seeds from many specialty and wholesale growers as well as plants grown by Redbud members.

We grow and exchange native seeds, bulbs, and plants in our native plant horticulture and propagation group. Our ethnobotany group explores how indigenous peoples used and cultivated native plants. And through projects such as the annual Scotch Broom challenge, we tackle invasive plants that pose a serious threat to our native habitats.

If you are a native plant, wildlife, and nature enthusiast, please join us! If you have questions or would like to be more involved, contact us at  nativeplanthelp@gmail.com

Our chapter bylaws can be read at the following link: Bylaws of the Redbud Chapter Adopted October 28 2016