Native Plant Society of Oregon: High Desert Chapter

Welcome to NPSO

The High Desert Chapter of the NPSO invites those living in Central Oregon's high desert region who have a passion for native flora to join our group. You don't have to be a botanist to be a member, just have a love for the native flora of Oregon!

We have wildflower/plant hikes in the summer months, help organize the annual Central Oregon Wildflower & Pollinator Show, schedule workshops or host guest speakers when we can't be out botanizing and chasing wildflowers.

For membership information, please visit the membership tab in the main menu bar.

Dedicated
to the enjoyment, conservation
and study
of Oregon’s native plants
and habitats.

NPSO is a member
of Earth Share.

Enjoying Oregon's Native Flora

Since 1961, members of the Native Plant Society of Oregon have been visiting the wild places of Oregon to enjoy, conserve and study its natural vegetation. Founded in Portland, NPSO has grown to a statewide network of a dozen regionally-based chapters adding up to more than 800 members.

For more information about the state level of NPSO, click the button below.

NPSOregon

Oregon has more than 3,600 species of native plants. Large or small, abundant or rare, each is unique and special.
- More than 450 of Oregon's native plant species are listed as threatened or endangered by the Oregon Biodiversity Information Center.
- Native plants provide food and support for wildlife that introduced plants cannot.
Ecoregions ranging from coastal sand dunes and mountain forest to prairie grasslands and alpine lava fields provide a myriad of habitats for these plants.
Local chapters hold meetings, field trips, and plant shows and sales for members and non-members alike, making available the knowledge and wonder of our native plants to everyone
Conserving and preserving species and habitat for all native species, but especially those in danger, is a priority for NPSO.

What We Do

NPSO works tirelessly for plant and habitat conservation. Oregon would not have an Endangered Species Act if, in the mid-1980s, NPSO members had not sought out legislators, attended endless committee meetings, testified at hearings, and educated legislative staff in order to explain the importance of plant protection.
Today, NPSO state conservation chairs track major issues and chapters are involved in local efforts to protect and conserve threatened and endangered species. We carry out rare plant surveys and monitoring programs; we have developed guidelines and policy regarding native plant gardening, ethics, grazing, mining and forest management; and we are involved in plant salvage and re-introduction.
Regional chapters sponsor field trips and work parties, involving members in conservation of Oregon's diverse plant heritage.
NPSO offers a yearly college scholarship for study within the state, as well as field research grants for botany students, giving many young people the opportunity for hands-on experience in plant research and conservation.
NPSO is proud to be helping the Oregon Flora Project in its efforts to produce a modern flora, an online Atlas of Oregon Plants, and up-to-date plant checklists.