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

spotted crane’s-bill, 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

ONLINE PLANT SALE FOR MEMBERS STARTED AUGUST 1, 2020

• SHOP ONLINE 

• DRIVE THROUGH PICK UP AT PLANE VIEW NURSERY, PORTSMOUTH, RI

LEARN MORE
BECOME A MEMBER

Happy Summer

Asclepias verticillata (whorled milkweed), Barrington, RI. A species of concern in the state.

Doug McGrady, a RIWPS walk leader, is passionate about exploring plant communities in RI and neighboring states.  He also tracks rare and endangered plants as a member of the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) Corps, the oldest rare plant-monitoring program in the country.

Click image for recent and past plants from Doug’s forays. A flickr account is not needed to view the images.

Events/Programs Update

Our highest priority continues to be the health of our members, volunteers and those who attend our events.  Thus, we  suspended (albeit with much disappointment) the great lineup of our planned programs and events.

• See our Native Plant Sales Page for information about plant sales/seed starters and contributing images of your growing  plants to our facebook page.

• See our Program/Events and Walks page for updates.

Being in nature can be both physically and mentally restorative.  We hope you will find yourself in the outdoors, and on the trails.  Check out our self guided walks. or  Partner Page for links to organizations with conservation lands.   Focused on you own garden?  See our planting resources.

Upcoming Events

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Thu 13

Nature’s Best Hope – Talk by Doug Tallamy ONLINE

April 28 - August 31
Sat 29

Nature’s Best Hope: A Talk by Doug Tallamy & Book Signing WATCH ONLINE

August 29 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sun 30

Plants & Their Places: Matunuck Hills Coastal Plain Ponds Cancelled

August 30 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Recent RIWPS News

Sigrid Hewit-transplanting

In Memoriam: Sigrid Hewitt

With sadness we announce the passing of Sigrid Hewitt, RIWPS member and volunteer, on May 3, 2020. Sigrid brought her strong interest in nature and plants with her when she moved to Rhode Island fifteen years ago. A long time volunteer at Seed Starters West, Sigrid was awarded a Lifetime Service Award in 2018, especially for her contributions to this group.
Read more

Rhode Island Wild Plant Society sponsors pollinator garden at Kelly House Museum

LINCOLN – Walkers and cyclists will have something new to see as they pass by the Kelly House Museum in Lincoln after members of the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society planted more than 160 native plants in a new pollinator garden at the site last Friday morning.
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.