CNPS South Coast Chapter
The South Coast (Los Angeles / Long Beach) Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (SCCNPS), founded in 1982, is one of 35 chapters of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). It is located in the greater southern Los Angeles area and includes Catalina and San Clemente Islands (see map). The CNPS, originally formed in 1965 in the East Bay region, is a statewide non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals with a common interest in California’s native plants. The Society, working through its local chapters and statewide programs, seeks to increase citizen understanding of California’s native flora and the impact of native plants on the state’s ecosystems, including home gardens. Membership is open to everyone.
The chapter is governed by a Board elected by the chapter membership and operates under bylaws adopted in 2012 and consists of an Executive Board (president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary), and various program chairs, such as conservation, horticulture, membership, outreach, plant sale, programs, publicity, and rare plants.
In addition to a history of advocacy for conservation and restoration of open space, our chapter has a strong horticultural emphasis. We sponsor an annual fall plant sale, monthly public programs about native plants and related subjects, and an annual Spring Garden Tour, all described and announced on our website. We maintain a native plant garden at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. (RPV). Members may engage in weed eradication, rare plant monitoring, seed collection, plant community sampling, community outreach, and other chapter programs.
In light of the persistent drought conditions faced by the whole state, the CNPS mission and activities are more important than ever, emphasizing as they do water conservation, erosion control, and habitat formation. Get involved! Help grow CNPS and support our mission to protect, conserve and enjoy California’s native plants and their habitats. Volunteering may be a single task or an ongoing commitment. Learn about how you can get involved as a volunteer!
Looking for help with a native plant issue or question? See our list of native plant resources.
Questions? Email us at SouthCoastCNPS@gmail.com
Chapter Activities
Meeting Schedule
Monthly Membership Meeting
We meet on the first Monday of every month at 7:30 pm (6PM for July Potluck) except by prior arrangement.
Starting in April, 2020 and continuing, we meet online instead of in-person for our monthly meeting due to the novel corona virus. Meeting notices are sent by email and are posted on our home page. We hope to resume in-person meetings when it is safe to do so and when we do we would like to incorporate some of the lessons learned from our electronic meetings and provide a digital stream.
When meeting in-person:
In July and October we meet at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center (3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance CA 90503)
All other meetings are held at the South Coast Botanic Garden (26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274)
Meetings, Events, and Field Trips
Monthly meetings, field trips, and native-plant-related outings are listed chronologically on our Meetings, Events, and Field Trips page and (in shorter form) on the front page of this web site.
Stewardship / Community Service
When: 2019 Dates
Sunday, December 15th | 10am to 12pm (noon)
Where:
Point Vicente Interpretive Garden
31501 Palos Verdes Dr. W.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Come join us for a volunteer day in the native plant garden at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Get outdoors by helping with our ocean-side garden. Participants learn about native California plants and valuable gardening skills. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Close-toed shoes are required and please bring sun protection and water.
To join us, RSVP to Megan Roy at megan@sccnps.org two days prior the event if possible.
Join CNPS!
With a CNPS membership you will receive discounts on CNPS-published books and posters, a subscription to Fremontia and Flora, and if you choose Monterey Bay as your home chapter, the Monterey Bay CNPS Chapter newsletter.