Utah Native Plant Society facts for kids

The Utah Native Plant Society (UNPS) is a group that cares about plants. It is a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't make money for itself. Instead, it works to protect and appreciate the amazing plants that naturally grow in Utah. This includes plants found in the Intermountain West region too.

The main goal of UNPS is to help everyone learn about Utah's many different kinds of plants. They want people to see how special and important these native plants are. UNPS also encourages using local plants in gardens and for restoring natural areas. They work hard to save plant species that are in danger of disappearing.

History of the UNPS

The Utah Native Plant Society started in 1978. A person named W. Richard Hildreth was the main founder. He was also the director of the State Arboretum of Utah. Later, he became the first director of Red Butte Garden and Arboretum.

In 2005, UNPS gave Mr. Hildreth a special award. This award was for all his hard work over his lifetime. The first president of the society was a plant expert named N. Duane Atwood.

What UNPS Does

Since 1982, UNPS has published a newsletter called The Sego Lily. This newsletter is named after the Calochortus nuttallii plant. The Sego Lily is also the state flower of Utah. The newsletter shares important information about rare plants. It also teaches people how to grow native plants.

The Sego Lily newsletter has been a helpful source for many official publications. These include documents related to the Endangered Species Act. This act helps protect plants and animals that are at risk.

Native Plant Gardens

In the 1990s, UNPS started a big project. It was called the "heritage garden program." Under the leadership of Susan Meyer, this program helped create many native plant gardens. These gardens were often made at schools and other learning places. They helped people see and learn about native plants up close.

Helping Research

The organization also gives money to other groups. These grants help with research on rare plants. They also support other projects related to native plants. One of the first grants helped protect the dwarf bearclaw poppy. This plant, Arctomecon humilis, was in danger.

Conferences and Guides

Throughout the 1980s, UNPS held yearly conferences about rare plants. They started doing this again in 2000. Since 2001, they have worked with Red Butte Garden to host these conferences.

In 2003, UNPS helped update a guide about Utah's rare plants. This guide lists plants that are endangered, threatened, or sensitive. The project received money from the Bureau of Land Management. This work led to the publication of the Utah Rare Plant Guide.