The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
→ We are a community of native plant enthusiasts. United by a shared passion for native plants and their habitats, we empower ourselves and others to preserve and protect them.
→ We envision healthy, resilient, biodiverse landscapes across Rhode Island that will sustain complex webs of interconnected relationships essential for all life.
→ We are a volunteer led and volunteer driven 501(c)(3) conservation organization, founded in 1987.
The RIWPS Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Thursday every other month (Mar-May-Jul-Sept-Nov-Jan).
Members are welcome to attend. Contact office@riwps.org for specific time and location of the meeting.
• Excerpts from the History of RIWPS, 1987-1997 by Mary E. Finger•
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- MARCH 1987 TO MARCH 1990
Presidents: Lisa Gould 1987-1989, Gilbert George 1989-1990 - MARCH 1990 TO MARCH 1993
Presidents: Martha Marshall, 1990-1991, Kathleen Barton, 1991-1993 - MARCH 1993 TO MARCH 1997
Presidents: Joan Pilson, 1993-1995, Joan Pilson & Richard Hull, 1995-1996, Richard Hull & Sindy Hempstead, 1996-1997
- MARCH 1987 TO MARCH 1990
• Retrospective – RIWPS – Talk by founding member by Lisa Lofland Gould, originally delivered on November 12, 2022 during a Panel Discussion: Seeding the Future at the University of Rhode Island
• Celebrating 35 years of RIWPS – Article by Karen Joy Asher, originally published in WildfloraRI, Winter 2022
• How Seed Sarters Started – Article by Sue Theriualt, originally published in WildfloraRI, Spring 2022.
RIWPS Participation in Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show
Appreciation to our design, forcing, construction and planting teams, our exhibit docents, and other volunteers who created delightful educational Native Plant Exhibits at the annual Rhode Island Flower Show. This tradition continued for 22 years, ending in 2016, the last year of the Rhode Island Flower Show.
RIWPS won many awards during these years.
2016
Best in Show – Non Profit: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 1st Place
The Roger and Elizabeth Swain Award for Design and Execution
2015
Best in Show – Non Profit: 2nd Place
People’s Choice: 2nd Place
Exhibitor’s Choice: 3rd Place
2014
Best in Show – Non Profit: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 1st Place
2013
Best in Show – Non Profit: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 1st Place
2012
Best in Show – Non Profit: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 4th Place
Elizabeth & Roger Swain Award
for Excellence
2011
People’s Choice: 1st Place
Best in Show – Non Profit: 3rd Place
2010
Mass. Horticultural Society: Silver Medal
Best in Show – Non Profit: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 3rd Place
2009
Mass. Horticultural Society: Gold Medal
Worcester County Horticultural Society: Special Award
Best in Show – Non Profit: 2nd Place
People’s Choice: 3rd Place
2008
Best in Show: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 3rd Place
2007
Best in Show – Non Profit: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 3rd Place
2006
Allen C. Haskell Award: 1st Place
People’s Choice: 3rd Place
2005
People’s Choice: 2nd Place
2004
People’s Choice: 1st Place
2001
People’s Choice: 1st Place
1999
People’s Choice: 1st Place
1996
People’s Choice: 1st Place
1994
Exhibitor’s Award: 1st Place
RIWPS Received additional awards in its history
1995 NE Wildflower Society
Citation: Society Recognition
Newport Flower Show
Community Education: Appreciation Award
1991 State Garden Club
Education Exhibit: Special Exhibit
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society Strategic Plan 2022-2027
Mission
The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of Rhode Island’s native plants and their habitats
A shortened version of our strategic plan.
Goal 1: Plant Sales and Seed Starters — Engage RIWPS members in growing, acquiring and selling plant species that are native (either historically or currently) to the area known as the Northeastern Coastal Zone Ecoregion 59 and Block Island. Develop knowledge and experience in native plant propagation.
Goal 2: Reseeding Rhode Island Initiative — Increase substantially the availability of locally sourced Rhode Island native wild plant seeds and plants grown from such seeds to meet the growing public and private demand.
Goal 3: Education and Outreach — Promote RIWPS’s mission through a range of conservation activities, educational offerings, and communications.
Goal 4: Finance — Maintain a Contingency Fund of at least two years fixed expenses. Annually determine the percentage of the Societies Cash Reserves to be spent on grants, internships, scholarships and other initiatives. Consider new investment strategies.
Goal 5: Board and Organization Development — Review committee structure and membership. Develop a plan for increased volunteer engagement. Improve committee board-communications. Identify and recruit members and volunteers with potential leadership capacity, with an emphasis of those who represent a diversity of cultures and backgrounds. Develop a plan to ensure that the organization’s history, institutional knowledge, and major products are retained over time in an accessible, easy to navigate, and enduring repository.
Board Members
Officers
President
Dan Rakosky
Vice President
Sue Theriault
Treasurer
Lynn Feiner
Secretary
Mary O’Connor
Trustees-at-Large
Jessie Beckman
Suzanne Borstein
Peggy Buttenbaum
Paul Dolan
Amanda Freitas
Susan Marcus
Brian Maynard
Sara McConnell
Beatrice Pulliam
Hilary Sowa
Pam Thompson
Dave Vissoe
Best way to contact us
The most efficient and timely way to get a response is via email. If you have questions about programs, events, membership or other issues or would like to offer comments or suggestions, feel free to contact us. Voicemail messages are usually checked Monday through Friday in the morning and again in the evening. • email:office@riwps.org • voicemail:401-789-7497