Hello, new member, and welcome to the Indiana Native Plant Society. Here’s a brief introduction to our resources, your membership benefits, and ways to apply your energy and enthusiasm to further our mission.
First Stop: Our INPS Website It’s packed with information about native plants and all aspects of our programs.
Get Connected: Our Regional Chapters With your INPS membership, you’ve automatically joined one of our seven regional chapters. Your local chapter offers a variety of activities—presentations, picnics, hikes, plant sales—where you’ll be greeted by others who share your enthusiasm for native plants.
This Is Us: The Membership Directory This annual online publication provides the latest contact information for all INPS leaders, members, and invasive-free native plant sellers and designers. It is password protected to maintain your privacy and available only to INPS members. Access it from the Membership page (in the sidebar, or scroll down past the membership info) and enter the password that was sent to you with your Membership Confirmation email. Limited copies of a print edition of the Directory are available to members each year. Email your request to membership@indiananativeplants.org.
Monthly Bulletins: INPS Updates Look for an email from the state organization in your inbox around mid-month. You may also receive a newsletter from your regional chapter.
Quarterly Publication: INPS Journal Now in its 34th year, the Journal is published January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. You will receive either a printed copy or an email with a link to an online PDF, depending on what you selected in your application. You can now link to our complete Journal Archive, 1994 to the present at the international Biodiversity Heritage Library; search for “INPS Journal.”
Spring Fun-Raisers: Florathon is our annual team competition to see who can spot the most native wildflowers in bloom in one 24-hour period, with team sponsors donating to Letha’s Youth Outdoors Fund. The INPS Auction, conducted online in May, entices bidder with rare and choice native plants, art, books, services, garden gear, and garden experiences.
Picture Perfect: Our Photo Contest gives everyone an opportunity contribute to our store of photos for use in the Native Plant Finder, on our website, and in outreach materials. Submissions are due by august 31.
Fall Get-Together: Annual Conference and Book Sale Join fellow native plant enthusiasts, virtually or in-person, for two days of learning, food, and camaraderie. Preferred pricing for members. The 2023 Annual Conference will be held October 28 in Bloomington Indiana.
Get Social: Our Facebook Public Group boasts more than 42,000 members who post beautiful native plant photos and discuss everything from plant ID to suggestions on what to plant in problem areas of the landscape. Follow us on Instagram for a quick mood lift from a native plant picture.
Hands-On: Join your chapter’s Plant Rescue and/or Invasive Removal teams. Install a Native Plant Demonstration garden, or help maintain a site already planted. Good friendships are made when working should to shoulder!
Plant Shopping! Buy Natives Directory Our Grow Indiana Natives program identifies designers and vendors that sell native plants and that do not sell invasive plants. An interactive map lets you find those nearest you.
Grow Your Own: Landscaping with Natives This action-packed team is exploring ways to provide useful, accurate information to people wanting to improve biodiversity on their property. Gardeners can apply for Native Plant Garden Certification and post a sign bragging on their success. Check out our brochure Landscaping with Plants Native to Indiana for ideas of which native plants to put where. And use our Native Plant Finder to identify plants suited to your site conditions and beneficial to pollinators. Want lots of everything? Learn how to grow native plants from seed and join a Native Seed Community.
Advocate for Biodiversity: Like to write persuasive letters or buttonhole your local legislator? Native plants need you! And sometimes these methods work. The Indiana Terrestrial Invasive Plant Rule is an example of INPS partnering with other conservation advocates to get this rule passed and put into effect in 2020, ending the sale of many of the worst invasive plants still in the nursery trade.
Pitch In: Volunteer Opportunities We depend on members like you to make this organization run. In fact, volunteering can be the best part of INPS membership—you meet the most interesting people! We have volunteer activities to suit every interest and energy level. Let us know your skills, and we’ll play matchmaker with busy team leaders who need help.
Looking forward to your participation!
—INPS Membership Team