Welcome to the South Central Chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society, or SCINPS (pronounced SCI—as in “science”—N-P-S). Our chapter includes more than 165 households in 24 counties, and spans seven physiographic regions from Ohio to Illinois, and from Martinsville down to the Ohio River.
With its extensive woodlands, south-central Indiana encompasses numerous nature preserves, the Hoosier National Forest (within which is the Charles C. Deam Wilderness), and several state forests. We’re home to some of Indiana’s best-loved state parks, including Brown County, McCormick’s Creek, Spring Mill, and Clifty Falls. In addition to the forested hills and hollows for which it is well known, the region also features karst plains, limestone and sandstone cliffs and canyons, acid seeps, and limestone glades—each of which is home to unique plant life.
SCINPS endeavors to support native plant education through plant identification walks; tabling at Master Gardener fairs and native plant sales; presentations on growing natives from seed; and through small grants to schools and nonprofit organizations. We also sponsor events such as Brown and Monroe Counties’ Annual Spring Wildflower Foray, launched by the renowned Kay Yatskievych (author of Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers), and now in its 4th decade.
Our current steering committee members are Will Cowan, chapter leader; Dottie Warmbier, treasurer; David Mow, hike coordinator; Mary Damm, programs, and Gillian Harris, communications.
Plant walks and other happenings are announced on our Facebook page. Let us know if you’d like to participate, volunteer skills or time, or if you have any questions about the chapter: southcentral@indiananativeplants.org
Happy hikers at a residential prairie planting in Monroe County.
Visiting a residential native planting in Owen County.
