Chapter Projects, Partners and Resources

Heritage Garden Program

Gardening with natives can benefit not only your yard or landscape, but can also help maintain the diversity of the local flora and fauna. The Heritage Garden Program is an amazing free resource for Benton, Franklin and Yakima County residents. A partnership between WNPS and the Benton County Conservation District, this program provides free site evaluation and landscape design for residents.

‘Plant Selection Guide: Heritage Gardens of the Columbia River Basin’

A publication in collaboration with the Benton Conservation District, Franklin Conservation District, Heather Wendt, Donna Lucas, and countless other CBWNPS members, this guide offers plant profiles for over 60 plants native to the Columbia Basin. The guide includes photos, growing conditions, ecological significance, cultural significance, and gardening tips. A must have resource for anyone looking to create a beautiful drought tolerant garden with native plants! Contact us for information on how to purchase.

Annual Fall Plant Sale

Every year, the CBWNPS holds a chapter plant sale to support those wishing to garden with native plants! Stay tuned on our Facebook Page or calendar for updates!

Grants for Members

Columbia Basin Chapter Grants

The mission of Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) is to promote the appreciation and conservation of Washington's native plants and their habitats through study, education and advocacy. As part of that mission, the Columbia Basin Chapter of WNPS (CBWNPS) is committed to funding small grants supporting educational and conservation projects in southeastern Washington that focus on Washington native plants. Each year, the board of CBWNPS will determine an amount to be set aside and used to provide these grants to assist in funding education and conservation/restoration projects or programs. The total amount available for grants may vary depending on the available chapter funds.

WNPS State Grants

Each year the WNPS State Chapter provides grants that further the mission around the state in three areas: Conservation, Education and Research. To learn more, check out the state WNPS website by clicking the button below.

Leslie Groves North Native Plant Restoration

Restoring native vegetation to the north end of Richland's Leslie Groves Park began in 2006 with the approval of the Richland Parks Department. The goal was to re-establish habitat that could be enjoyed and used to educate the public about our indigenous plants and to share their beauty. The LGN group is affiliated with the Washington Native Plant Society (Columbia Basin Chapter) and the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society whose members have been a major part of this effort. Want to hear about upcoming volunteer opportunities at this site? Contact site lead, Debbie B via the button below!

Just for Kids

Enjoy these resources put together Just for Kids by the WNPS Education Committee! Catered for families and kids K-6 or the kid in all of us!

Aligned Organizations and Resources

Local Conservation Groups

• Benton Conservation District

• Friends of Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges

• Friends of Badger Mountain

• Tapteal Greenway Association

• Washington Native Plant Society

• UW RareCare Plant Monitoring Program

• Wildlife Areas, Refuges, and Parks in Eastern WA

Gardening With Natives

• WNPS Plant and Seed Source

• Heritage Garden Resources

• Germination Guide by Jane Abel

• Pollinator Partnership

• WANWCB Garden Guides

• Habitat at Home

• Seedball Recipe from The Gornish Lab

Conservation Groups

• The Nature Conservancy of Washington

• WA Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Conservation Northwest

• Sage Grouse Initiative

• Pheasants Forever

• Working Lands for Wildlife

Pollinator Health

• WSDA Pollinator Task Force (2/8/22 PDF)

• The Xerces Society

• Beauty with Benefits: Naturescaping Vineyards for Beneficial Insect Conservation (Dr David James)

• Native Plants Attract Beneficial Insects (Article) Dr David James

• RANKINGS OF (MOSTLY) NATIVE PLANTS FOR ATTRACTION TO BENEFICIAL INSECTS IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON David G James, Associate Professor of Entomology, Washington State Univeristy, Prosser, WA

General Interest

• U.S. Drought Monitor

• Further Reading on Plants, Insects, and Co-evolution

Tri-Cities / Hanford

• Sagebrush Restoration Project Video - Nov 2020, Video of sagebrush planting on Rattlesnake Ridge / Note: headphones needed

• Vascular Plants of the Hanford Site, 2001, PNNL-13688

• Shrub-Steppe Mushrooms, 2009

• USFW Rare Plant Report 2009 - Hanford Reach National Monument, 2009