Announcing our Fresh New PNPS Logo: Conveying Symbiosis with Style!![]() We’ve hit the refresh button and updated our logo! In order to better communicate our purpose and recharge our outreach efforts, our new logo more effectively conveys the connection between native plants and wildlife in a Pennsylvania context, in one elegant graphic.
A picture tells a thousand words, but how do you best impart those words simply, cleanly, and attractively? PNPS turned to the Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Graphic Design to help us develop a fresh logo that could communicate the essence of our organization: advocating the conservation and use of native plants and, crucially, the understanding that native plants support wildlife, while identifying as a Pennsylvania organization. Huiwon Lim, Assistant Professor in Graphic Design at Penn State, with an MFA in Graphic Design and MA in Environmental Graphic Design, generously offered his services and those of his student team (Sarah Bodnar, Samantha Chung, Grace Southern, and Lucas Sterrett) to work with us to create a brand-new and improved design, pro bono. Read more …. What is a Native?
A native plant is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without direct or indirect human intervention. We consider the flora present at the time Europeans arrived in North America as the species native to the eastern United States. Native plants include all kinds of plants from mosses and ferns to wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Read more... Why Natives?
Because native plants are adapted to the growing conditions where you live, they are often easier to grow, and less susceptible to challenging conditions than non-native plants. Many Non-native plants are also invasive, and threaten out our native plant species.
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In Bloom:Eastern Teaberry - Tiny, Tough, and Terrific
Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) is a lovely 2-6" tall native plant with four season interest. It's actually a woody plant, so you can have some fun with visitors and ask if they can spot the smallest shrub in your garden. This understory plant spreads by rhizomes and is a perfect ground cover for woodland gardens. Delicate white or light pink bell-shaped flowers dangle from the plants from June to August. The pea-sized crimson fruits form in late summer and often hang on throughout winter, adding some winter color when not covered by snow. The oval evergreen leaves (sometimes red in fall) have a wintergreen fragrance when crushed. The fruits aka teaberries have a wintergreen flavor and are used in pies and jams. Rather mealy and tasting a bit like Pepto Bismal, people either love 'em or hate 'em. Teaberry has flexible light requirements - from deep shade to dappled sunlight - and grows in dry to moist acidic soil. This plant is drought tolerant, extremely cold-hardy (-35F which is colder than most of PA will ever see!) and has no significant pests or diseases. The fruits and/or the leaves are a food source for a variety of wild birds and small mammals. In fact, the fruits of teaberry provide 2% of the diet of black bears in some areas. That's A LOT of those tiny fruits! This tough little native plant packs a big punch in the garden, so give it a try. If you have a favorite plant or photo, send it to webmaster@panativeplantsociety.org for a future publication. Article and photo courtesy of Karen Smith Upcoming Events
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events are being cancelled. Please be sure to double check before you head out to an event.
Check our Complete Calendar for all upcoming events. If your event isn't listed, let us know and we can add them to our Calendar - email webmaster@panativeplantsociety.org. PNPS Annual Meeting
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Membership Dues and Donations
PNPS is committed to supporting programs and events advocating for the use of native plants. Money obtained from memberships and donations go to the following:
We accept donations and membership payments online and by check. Thank you for your support! Membership dues online - please click the Become a Member button to pay through Paypal or with a credit card. Membership by check - Click here for instructions
Donations online - please click the Donate button to pay through Paypal or credit card. For other options, click here. PNPS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. If you would like to learn more please email info@panativeplantsociety.org |
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There are always opportunities to help, regardless of your level of expertise. Click the button to see what volunteer opportunities area available.
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We are over 14,000 members strong and growing! Contact Us:For general inquires, email us at info@panativeplantsociety.org Our mailing address is P.O. Box 807, Boalsburg PA 16827
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