Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc.
We advocate the vital role of native plants in the landscape to promote biodiversity, preserve ecological integrity and connect people with nature.
Who We Are
The Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc. is a charitable non-profit organization 501(c)(3) which is operated by a board of volunteers. Currently, most of our events are located in Ohio.
Our Mission
Our mission is to connect people and nature by promoting native plants.
By planting native plants, including trees and shrubs, we can improve biodiversity, restore the wildlife food web, and rejuvenate our land into a healthy and functional ecosystem. We are committed to advocating for the conservation of natural areas to safeguard and preserve intact ecosystems.
Native plants serve as a gateway to the natural world. Though not a membership-based organization, we have a passionate following of individuals who are eager to incorporate native trees and shrubs into their landscapes. Some are avid gardeners, professional landscapers, homeowners, conservationists, and naturalists. Many of us are all of these things!
Please
subscribe to our email list and join us at an event to learn more.
Midwest Native Plant Society News!
- Subscribe for email updates to be alerted about our events.
- Registration is open for the Spring Nature Safari at Shawnee State Lodge, May 1-3, 2026
- Registration is open for the Living Landscapes Tree & Shrub Symposium at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, March 21, 2026.
- Midwest Native Plant Conference, Bergamo Center, July 31-Aug 2, 2026
Sponsor, Exhibitor and Vendor registration opens Feb 1, 2026
Attendee registration opens March 15, 2026
Growing Native Plants for Biodiversity Yard Sign!
Looking for a thoughtful gift for your favorite gardener or landscaper? Check out this lovely Growing Native Plants for Biodiversity Yard Sign! Orders are processed immediately. Here is a link for more information about our pledge program, the outdoor sign and a link where you can purchase yours!
Education and Conservation
Each year, we organize a
native plant conference and the free, public
Native Plant & Artisan Sale
as well as other events such as nature safaris, themed workshops, yard tours, and field trips. Our audience are gardeners, landscapers, nature lovers, and experts in the field.
We explore both urban and suburban settings including wilder areas of Ohio that take us into the heart of our forests, prairies, wetlands, bogs, and fens. Our ultimate goal is to learn all about our natural world, and we invite you to join us in this quest to understand and appreciate the native flora and fauna of our region.
Join, Support or Donate
Join our email lists expanding community and discover valuable information on our website, such as event registration and other relevant resources.
We have no membership fees, but we welcome donations to aid our conservation and education endeavors, allowing us to host events that promote the significance of cultivating and protecting native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. A
list of donors and a donor form is located on this page. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and your donation can be considered tax deductible.
What We Do
In addition to our annual Midwest Native Plant Conference, Public Native Plant & Artisan Sale, and other enjoyable events, we’ve curated some exciting programs to support our mission.
Cheryl B. Harner Wonder Fund
The CBH Wonder Fund provides free access and volunteer opportunities at Midwest Native Plant Society events. Selected recipients learn from leading naturalists while contributing 2–3 volunteer hours per day. It’s a great way to build experience and connect with nature.
White Oak Young Naturalist Fund
The White Oak Young Naturalist Scholarship offers free event registration for youth under 18 with a passion for nature or science. Recipients gain learning opportunities from expert speakers and field leaders while connecting with Ohio’s naturalist community.
Biodiversity Pledge & Yard Sign Program
Take the “Grow Native Plants for Biodiversity” pledge and turn your yard into a thriving habitat for birds and butterflies. Inspire others by displaying our beautiful yard sign. Every living landscape planted with native plants helps strengthen biodiversity—join the movement today!
Who We Support
The Midwest Native Plant Society selects organizations whose goals align with our mission for the distribution of event proceeds. In addition, we also offer the White Oak Scholarship Program to support young naturalists and the Wunder Fund Scholarship Program for adults in related fields to attend our educational events. Since 2010, we have donated more than $140,000 to these worthy causes. Previous recipients of donations include:
- YETI-Young Ecologist Training institute-Edge of Appalachia, Cincinnati Museum Center
- Ohio Botanical Symposium
- Beaver Creek Wetlands Association
- Friends of Magee Marsh – Boardwalk Project
- Polistes Foundation
- Friends of Shawnee State Park, Inc.
Board of Trustees, Advisory Committee, & Volunteers
Board of Trustees: Officers: Diana Malas, President, Ned Keller, Treasurer; Cathy Plum, Secretary. Cheryl Vargas, Michele Martin Hisney, Tom Borgman, Jim McCormac.
Accounting Assistant: Debbie Karr.
Executive Director: Kathy McDonald.
Advisory Committee: Ann Geise, Austin Miller, Teri Gilligan, Jennie Hefren, Debi Wolterman, Kim Banks, Penny Borgman, NIkki Tempus, Norah Tempus, Lexie Stevenson, Michelle Soski Goodman.
Volunteers: Our dedicated volunteers include all of the above, and assist in many ways! They are too numerous to mention but we want to give special recognition to those who have helped us over the years by freely donating time and knowledge to our events: Lisa Rainsong, Wendy Partridge, and Judy Ganance, and Judy Semroc.
Images
Images on this site courtesy of Jim McCormac, Chris Zacharias, Brook Decubellis, Kathy McDonald, Nina Harfmann, Ned Keller.
Artwork by Ann E. Geise.
"Chances are, you have never thought of your garden – – indeed, of all of the space on your property – – as a wildlife preserve that represents the last opportunity we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the U.S. But that is exactly the role that built landscapes are now playing and will play even more in the near future."
~ Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants
