Preserve & Protect Rhode Island’s Native Plants & Their Habitats

common winterberry (Ilex verticillata), GGardner

Our Native Plants

  • We provide opportunities to study and enjoy them.

  • We encourage and offer guidance in their cultivation and use.

  • We educate the public on their ecological and aesthetic values.

  • We support land preservation and practices fostering their natural communities.

Why native plants matter
What you can do

Annual Meeting

March 13, 2021| 1:00 -2:30

Guest Speaker
Alicia Lehrer, Executive Director of the Woonasquatucket Watershed Council

Sightings

Even in a normal year it feels like spring cannot come soon enough and in this year of COVID it is even more true.  So, let’s get outside and look for early signs of spring together.  Together?

Together through iNaturalist. We have created a project on the app RI Signs of Spring where we can share our photos.  It will be fun to see plants as they come into bloom/bud across the state.  The project runs from February 1 though end of April.

Botrychium dissectum (dissected grapefern), West Greenwich, RI. 11/08/2020

Doug McGrady, a RIWPS walk leader, is passionate about exploring plant communities in and close to RI. He also tracks rare and endangered plants for the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) Corps . Click image.

Upcoming Events

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Sun 07

Eager: Book Discussion for RIWPS Members

March 7 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Sat 13

Annual Meeting: Guest Speaker – Alicia Lehrer

March 13 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Recent RIWPS News

Finding Gibbs Swamp – Garry Plunkett

Long time RIWPS member and volunteer Garry Plunkett dedicates his efforts to land conservation in his town.  Read about his experiences collecting data on a newly acquired property of the Tiverton Land Trust.
Read more

In Memory, Robert Fain and Michael Lapisky

We are saddened by the passing of two RIWPS members. Robert Fain first joined RIWPS in 2008. In addition to his interest in Rhode Island Plants he worked professionally and personally on social justice issues.  He died last July.  See obituary Michael Lapinky was an 11 year member. He was known for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience on all things gardening.  Michael died in January of this year.  See obituary
Read more

Resources

Find online resources and printed references from organizations that steward native plants, including the Rhode Island Natural History Survey, New England Wild Flower Society,  University of Rhode Island Outreach Center, Among Rhode Island Wild Flowers and, of course, RIWPS .

Grow

The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society (RIWPS) has seed starter groups in Exeter, RI (Seed Starters West) and Portsmouth, RI (Seed Starters East). Seed starters cultivate most of the plants at RIWPS plant sales.

Both groups would welcome more members. Dig in the dirt in non-gardening seasons and enjoy constantly learning about native plants! Don’t worry about the drive; many members car pool.

Explore

People of all botanical abilities are welcome at RIWPS events — beginners, experts, amateurs, and professionals. Come to enjoy and learn about wild plants.

Some RIWPS programs, especially the walks and workshops, can only accommodate a limited number of participants, however; so register early.