The Cullowhee Native Plant Conference has long been considered one of the premier educational events for native plant advocates and professionals in the Southeastern United States. It is held at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina close to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 2023 conference is being held July 19th through July 22nd. Schedule and Details can be found HERE.
The Louisiana Native Plant Society (LNPS) is providing two grants of $750 each to individuals wishing to attend the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference for the first time who otherwise might be financially constrained from doing so. Our goal is to enhance the skill set being applied to native plant advocacy and education in the state of Louisiana by sending representatives to the conference. The combination of field trips, workshops, lectures and networking will enhance the attendees’ abilities to advocate, in Louisiana specifically, for existing and future native plant utilization. We challenge the awardees to return with concrete ideas to support LNPS’ mission: the preservation, conservation, and study of native plants in their habitats; the promotion of knowledge of their utilization; and the education of the public about the values of native plants and their habitats.
Applicants for these grants can submit a brief proposal to the LNPS Board at lnpsinbox@gmail.com no later than midnight Sunday, May 7, 2023.
The Board will review, select and notify awardees by May 12, 2023.
Proposals should include no more than two paragraphs describing the applicant, reasons for attending the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference and what contributions to LNPS’ mission the applicant will make by attending this conference.