Our Weird NJ Plants conference was another success, with hundreds of members attending. If you missed it, view the whole thing at https://npsnj.org/event/fall-conference-2025/ or directly on our Youtube channel. I made a flub in my introduction to Kate’s talk. I said day lilies (Hemerocallis) are native and aquatic. They are neither. I meant American white water lillies (Nymphaea odorata), which are very lovely in my tiny forest pond. American white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) in my forest pond.
You may have noticed we have a governor-elect now. As a 501(c)(3), NPSNJ doesn’t endorse candidates, but we can advocate for native plant policies regardless of party affiliation. Mikie Sherrill promoted native plants in legislation as a congressional representative so we have high hopes for an improved situation in Trenton. If native plant advocacy matters to you, consider reaching out to her transition team here to encourage her to continue this work as governor.
We also have a great new benefit! Members will get a 10% discount on regional events in the Mid-Atlantic with New Directions in the American Landscape, starting with their 37th Annual Symposium at Kean University in Union, NJ (January 15-16 with virtual options available). The discount code will be in the member portal once you log into the website. Please do not share it! Larry Weaner, NDAL’s founder, will be speaking at NPSNJ’s 2026 Annual Meeting on March 7.
A new round of classes for members is starting up. All classes are on Zoom and are $160 with a max of 30 people so the students can engage more closely with the instructors. Everything but $10 goes to pay the instructors so you can get top quality classes.
January: Jared Rosenbaum
Native Meadows, Glades and other Sunny Habitats: Ecology, Restoration, and Gardens.
Registration opens Nov 12th (that’s tomorrow!).
February: Sarah F. Jayne
Design Your Wildlife Habitat: A Hands On Workshop based on her popular book Nature’s Action Guide.
Registration opens Dec. 1
March: Dr. Drew Lanhem in March teaching Cultural Ornithology and Conservation.
Registration opens Dec. 15.
If you’re a PK-12 teacher or know one, Wild Seed Project is offering free native seed packets to public school educators through their Seeds for Teachers program. Each classroom receives bulk seeds for four easy-to-sow, pollinator-friendly species, perfect for hands-on environmental projects. The deadline to request seeds is very soon November 14th. Click here
Each of these letters has a theme and, in this letter, I want to address a question I hear often: What can I do to help the Society?You’re probably already helping more than you realize. Every time you choose native plants for your garden, share knowledge with a neighbor, or attend one of our programs, you’re advancing our mission. But for those looking to do more, let me share some concrete ways you can support NPSNJ’s work.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have openings for people who want to shape NPSNJ’s future. Our Corresponding Secretary position is perfect for someone interested in strategic communications—you’d help build partnerships with organizations like other native plant and conservation societies both in New Jersey and beyond, coordinate speaker invitations, draft press releases, and maintain media relationships. You’d be at the heart of how we connect with the broader native plant community. Plus, it is an executive committee position, and that is the heart of our state effort. It is a bit of work, but it’s a lot of fun, with a great team.
We’re also looking for a leader for our Highland Park Chapter in Middlesex County, and our Delaware Bayshore Chapter is seeking people to join their steering committee.
Financial Support
With Giving Tuesday on December 2nd, this is an ideal time to consider supporting our mission. As an all-volunteer organization, there are no staff salaries or administrative overhead. Unlike some organizations, we don’t send out junk mail asking folks to join. Our membership system is now electronic and free of paper for everyone except those who expressly opt out. If you need to renew your membership, now is the perfect time. We keep our membership fees lower than almost anybody else out there, but if you can afford to upgrade your membership, we would greatly appreciate it and it will go to good causes. And yes, your membership is fully tax deductible. Many employers will match your contribution (we are on Benevity if your workplace uses that).
Your contributions fund speaker honoraria for our Wednesday webinars, support our fall conference and spring meeting, support chapters, keep the web site running, help us with the grants we give out, enable us to print our publications, and help us keep most programming free.
Consider these two options:
Our Annual Fund supports core NPSNJ operations throughout the year.
Our Mini Grants and Conservation Science Fund provides crucial funding for local projects—school gardens, community plantings, and initiatives that often seed larger efforts benefiting entire communities.
You can donate to NPSNJ at our donations page and direct your funds either way, based on your preference.
Estate planning through bequests of any size helps secure our educational mission for future generations. A generous bequest from Bruce Wands funded our mini grant program this year.
Contact president@npsnj.org for more information on any of these.
Beyond Financial Support
Perhaps you’re not in a position to give financially right now—that’s completely understood. Help comes in many other forms. Share our Wednesday webinar announcements with friends who might be interested. Volunteer with your local chapter. Offer to help with simple tasks. Post about what we do on social media.
Most importantly, keep learning and sharing what you know. Native plant advocacy happens one conversation at a time, one garden at a time, one neighbor at a time.As we head into the Thanksgiving season, I’m grateful for this community of over 1,600 members who understand that protecting New Jersey’s native flora requires both individual action and collective effort. Whether you volunteer, contribute financially, or simply share what you’re learning with your neighbors—your participation matters. That’s how movements grow.
Kazys Varnelis, Ph.D.President, NPSNJ