By Chapter Chairs reporting for Native Plant News Summer 2025
When you’re with us, you are part of a group that makes a difference – one plant at a time. Find your chapter or become a member-at-large. Check out these pictures from some of our nine chapters. We’ve have fun, we work hard, we’re in it together. Join us, have fun, work hard. We welcome you!
Land of the Sky Chapter
Land of the Sky Chapter. Members heard presentations on mitigating climate change by Jake Hagedorn of the University of North Carolina Asheville Environmental Science Department, and by Carrie Blair, co-chair of Land of the Sky Chapter, on how to restore ecosystems and create beautiful landscapes. She discussed how to identify trees any time of the year by using phenology, location, shape, bark, branch pattern, buds, leaf scars, seeds and more. Books and other resources were available for attendees.
Reid (Triangle) Chapter
Margaret Reid Chapter has been busy this spring with field trips, tables at festivals, plant rescues ahead of construction, invasive removal workdays, a design workshop, and a Reid Chapter social and plant share. On our field trips we found some rare and endangered plants: Coville’s phacelia, Appalachian stitchwort, and Elf-orpine. We toured several natural areas featuring spring wild flowers and diverse habitats including the rich woodlands at Seven Mile Creek and Eno River Confluence in Orange County, and the granite flatrocks at Mitchell’s Mill State Natural Area in northeast Wake County. Volunteers also led tours at the Easter Open Garden at the Margaret Reid Wildflower Garden.
Oconee Bell Chapter
Oconee Bell Chapter. Members took a leisurely stroll at the Oconee Station State Historic Site in South Carolina to see Hepatica, Trillium and many other native plants. Our hike leader was Oconee Bell Chapter Vice-Chair Cathy Reas-Foster. At the end of this beautiful hike we found a stunning waterfall where multitudes of Hepatica were growing and we enjoyed a picnic.
Southeast Coastal Chapter
Southeast Coastal Chapter members went on a walk to celebrate Earth Day at the Brunswick Nature Park, about 30 minutes south of Wilmington. It was a small group but we recorded 36 species of native plants. A favorite was the Clematis crispa (shown in picture), which likes the consistent moisture of swamps and floodplains. Butterflies, bees and other insects are attracted to the flower, making it a good addition to butterfly, pollinator, and native gardens.
Southern Piedmont Chapter
Southern Piedmont Chapter members toured the 350-acre facility of Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories in Charlotte. The wooded property of chapter member Carrie Fawcett in Mint Hill was included in April garden tours, where native plants included Celandine poppy, Coral Bells, Dwarf Crested iris, Foamflower, Green and Gold, Mouse-eared Coreopsis, Running Cedar and Tulip tree.
Triad Chapter
Triad Chapter has been busy with trail hikes, tables at community events, and giving presentations at Earth Day events. In April, Ann Walter-Fromson led a hike for NCNPS members along the Great Blue Heron Trail at Haw River State Park, a 1485-acre park located in Guilford and Rockingham Counties. A Greensboro Earth Day event at Keeley Park featured Triad Chapter speakers Judy West, Marie Noel, and Ann Walter-Fromson and an information table.
Uwharrie Chapter
Uwharrie Chapter. The first meeting attracted 45 people to hear Andrew Pfeifer, a horticulture Extension Agent for Stanly County, on using native plants in the garden. John Holmes and Pam Palmer, from GBH Holmestead, demonstrated how plants are able to make music. The new chapter has identified over twenty local speakers, events, tours and hikes as potential 2025 activities. Last May, chapter members volunteered at the NCNPS Annual Meeting and Picnic at Morrow Mountain.