Welcome to the INPS Southwest Chapter!
We’re glad you’re here.
Perhaps you scanned the QR code on your INPS-SW plant stake or maybe on a Homegrown National Park brochure, or clicked a link on one of our social media pages, or were referred to us by a friend. Whatever brought you here, welcome! We are a group of native plant enthusiasts, sharing knowledge and resources to promote the spread of natives in the tri-state area. Here are a few ways to get involved:
Fall 2024 Native Plant Sale
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from 9am-noon CDT
Wesselman Woods Nature Center
551 N Boeke Rd* in Evansville, IN
We will have 2163+ plants available to purchase at our fall sale! Lots of volunteers on hand to answer your questions, too. (Admission to the sale is free, but does not include access to the nature center, trails, playscape, etc.—see front desk for more information.). *The old main entrance to Wesselman is closed. There is a detour at Franklin St (just south of the old entrance, alongside Swonder Ice Rink) that will take you into the park.
Revised Native-Friendly Weed Ordinance Passes Unanimously
On Monday, July 8, 2024 the Evansville, Indiana City Council unanimously passed an update to our weed ordinance [G-2024-05] that redefines “weed” to include invasive species and to exclude our native plant species. Homeowners are now allowed to grow native plants taller than 9 inches in their yard without fear of citation from weed control. The process to update the ordinance was done in collaboration with the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS), the agency responsible for city weed control as well as supportive members of our City Council and members of the community. We hope this new law encourages more homeowners to reduce and replace turfgrass lawns with natives that support pollinators.
Fall 2023 Native Plant Sale
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, from 9am-1pm CDT
SWIMGA Display Garden
3501 E Lloyd Expressway in Evansville, IN
We will have 650+ plants available to purchase at our fall sale! Lots of volunteers on hand to answer your questions, too. While you’re there, the SWIMGA display garden is at peak–plan to take a stroll after you stock up on natives!
Upcoming Events
Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 9:30am CDT
Bi-monthly Chapter Meeting
Location and details TBA.
Book Review
Nature’s Best Hope (Young Reader Edition) by Douglas Tallamy
Reviewed by Noah Garrett
The book is about how kids can help native plants and animals by planting native species in their yards and communities. It is important because without enough habitats for certain species, the ecosystem will collapse. The information in the book is important for kids to know because few governments or companies are willing to do anything about it. It also seems like it could inspire a group of kids to take action.
Noah Garrett is a rising 8th grader at Washington Middle School. His interest in native insects was sparked when he was given a cecropia moth caterpillar to raise the summer before he started kindergarten. He planted a native pollinator garden of his own the following summer, and has since raised and released dozens of butterflies and moths. He completed the Junior Master Wildlife Gardener program in 2019.
Past Events
Saturday & Sunday June 24-25, 2023 9am-4pm.
SWIMGA Tour de Fleur Garden Walk
INPS-SW member Anne Butsch’s native yard was a featured garden on this year’s Master Gardener garden walk. Anne’s yard is a stellar example of how a small urban space can developed into welcoming habitat for wildlife while still presenting a gorgeous display to friends and neighbors. Volunteers from INPS were on hand to provide information on going native. Anne had a fantastic turnout and the thunderstorms held off until the very last moment of the tour (whew!).
Enjoy this gallery of photos from the event!
Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 9 am CDT until 1 pm.
Spring Native Plant Sale
The Southwest Chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society held its annual Spring Native Plant Sale on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 9 am CDT until 1 pm. The sale took place at the SWIMGA Display Garden, 3501 E. Lloyd Expressway in Evansville, near the Evansville State Hospital Grounds.
We had close to 1,000 native plants to offer, and volunteers on hand to provide suggestions and expertise. It was a very hot day, but that didn’t deter the crowds.
The chapter also hosts a second plant sale later in the year, offering a selection of plants perfect for fall planting. Mark your calendars now—the INPS-SW Fall Native Plant sale is tentatively planned for September 2, 2023, at the same time and location.
Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 9:30am CDT
Bi-monthly Chapter Meeting
We met with Naturalist Amelia Wildeman at the Outdoor Education Pavilion (OEP) at Harmonie State Park for a wonderful presentation about fireflies in Southern Indiana. We learned about fireflies native to our area (including the state insect, Say’s Firefly, named for a 19th-century entomologist from a nearby utopian society in New Harmony), and Amelia shared an anecdote about meeting the author of a noted book on fireflies when the author’s car broke down nearby and she ended up at the park. Amelia also described how fireflies can be identified by their flashing patterns and behaviors (like the upward “J” of the common Big Dipper firefly) and by habitat (from lawns to woodland fringes). A firefly craft was offered to kids, and a hike was available after the meeting to anyone interested.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 9:30am
Central Library Browning Room A/B.
Note: This is a change in the usual scheduled date!
Elyse Talley
People for Pollinators
Our presenter was Elyse Talley with People for Pollinators/UE ChangeLab, with a fascinating look at the importance of native bees and our role in their survival (and their role in ours).
Bees are important pollinators of three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants, and yet many people know very little about what they look like or how they live. In this talk, we will explore the lifecycle of bees, how to differentiate them from other flying insects, and what resources you can provide to help them thrive in your yard. We’ll also address some common misconceptions about bees and do some fun giveaways in the process. Come join us to learn what all the buzz is about!
