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 local ANPS hike will be Saturday, July 20 on the Turnagain Arm Trail. Below are details and a few recent photos from the area.
Time & Location: 9:00 am meet at Carrs Huffman to plan carpooling (South side of the parking lot near Huffman Street). Bring a lunch.
Description: The Turnagain Arm Trail from McHugh Creek to Rainbow is a very scenic route close to Anchorage with a variety of habitats, through woodlands, across streams, and some sunny rocky places. Expect cow parsnip, prickly rose, and devil’s club along the way, dress accordingly and consider bringing bear spray (Beth will have one for the group).
Contact: Beth Norris ejnorris@sbcglobal.net a couple days in...
The next ANPS hike will be Birds & Wildflowers of Craigie Creek (Hatcher Pass), on Saturday, July 6, led by Beth Norris.
Time & Location: 9:00 am meet near the dumpster at new Fred Meyers Store in Palmer to carpool.
Description: Hike about 2 miles on an old mining road with very gradual slope. If time allows the group might add a stop at April Bowl on the way home for a look at higher alpine flora.
Contact: ejnorris@sbcglobal.net a couple days in advance if you have questions or plan to attend.
Below are some photos from a hike there last year.
The next ANPS hike will be Sunday, June 23, to the South Summit of Pioneer Peak. Expect a long day (up to 12 hours) for the complete route. Bring food, water and windproof garments. For start time, route description and options contact dennis.ronsse@gmail.com. Below are photos from the Pioneer Peak Trail, and things we expect to find.
Anchorage Audubon and AK Native Plant Society will join together for a hike at Arctic Valley on Saturday, June 15, at 10 AM. The five mile route will pass over Mt. Gordon Lyon and loop back down at a slow pace. Bring a lunch and warm windproof garments (even if the weather looks good). Contact dennis.ronsse@gmail.com or steve_scordino@yahoo.com for more information, possible car pooling, previous plant & bird info. There is a $5/day parking fee at Arctic Valley Ski Area. Below are photos from last year and things we expect to find this year.
