A non-profit organization to promote the study and conservation of Alaska native plants.
The Alaska Native Plant Society (AKNPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to studying and conserving Alaska native plants. General membership meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Monday of every month from October through May. Various guest speakers give presentations on topics related to native plants and AKNPS members give informative slide shows, plant family, and mini- botany talks. The October meeting starts earlier as it is a potluck where members bring 5-6 slides of their summer adventures to share. See our recent news for more information.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities including leading public hikes, invasive plants control, plantings and cooperative work with other local groups. Local events are listed on the Upcoming Events page.
General Information
The Alaska Native Plant Society was formed in 1982 by a small group of enthusiastic amateur and professional botanists for the purpose of educating Alaskans about their native flora and the growing need for its protection. We accomplish this through:
- Monthly meetings, held on the first Monday of each month, October through May (with occasional exceptions due to holidays), at 7 PM at the Campbell Creek Science Center in Anchorage. All interested persons are welcome.
- Field Trips, ranging from half day local outings to multi-day excursions throughout Alaska. Some prior trips have been to Kodiak, Seldovia, Chitina / Kennicott, and Denali National Park.
- Displays at local malls during “Celebrating Wildflowers” periods.
- Publication of Borealis, our bi-monthly newsletter for members, October through May.
- Compilation of Alaskan flora references in a bibliography.
- Public Land Sources for Native Plant Materials in the Southcentral Alaska Region for Personal Landscaping Use click here to download pdf.
- This website which is an ongoing project for which volunteers are welcome.
Recent News
The next ANPS meeting will be Monday, March 4, 7PM, at the Campbell Creek Science Center. Our guest speaker will be Cam Webb. Before moving to Fairbanks in 2015, Cam worked for 25 years in Indonesia, primarily in Kalimantan (Borneo). He conducted forest ecology research and collected plants for Boston’s Arnold Arboretum. He also helped start a successful forest conservation NGO, Health in Harmony. In his presentation, he’ll discuss the floristics of Borneo and other Indonesian islands, the challenges of forest conservation, and share stories of life in the rain forest. Since coming to Alaska, Cam has been helping work on new statewide Flora. In a separate short presentation, he’ll discuss this project, and will promote the use of iNaturalist...
The next ANPS meeting will be Monday, Feb 4, 7PM, at the Campbell Creek Science Center. Glenn Brown will briefly summarize “What a plant Feels”, a chapter in the book we’re studying this year, "What a Plant Knows". Our feature presentation from Debbie Hinchey will be a trip report on the 2018 ANPS Trip to Newfoundland. Below are some photos. The meeting is open to the public, no admission or parking fees. Thanks to the Campbell Creek Science Center for use of their facility!
The next AKNPS meeting will be Monday, Jan 7, 7PM, at the Campbell Creek Science Center. Joan Tovsen will have a brief synopsis of wild roses in Alaska as part of our ongoing study of the Rose Family, and Debbie Hinchey will have a short report about “What a Plant Tastes” from the book "What a Plant Knows". Our feature presentation will be about climate change from George Donart, chapter leader of Anchorage Citizens Climate Lobby, a non-partisan group seeking solutions to the problem. The meeting is open to the public, no admission or parking fees. Thanks to the Campbell Creek Science Center for use of their facility!
Due to Campbell Creek Science Center closure for earthquake damage inspection, tonight's ANPS meeting will be held at the Alaska Botanical Garden greenhouse meeting room. Many thanks to Mike Monterusso for offering to keep the facility open for us! Visitors are advised to be prepared for cool greenhouse temperatures with comfortable clothing. Meeting time is 7:00 pm.