|
March 2026
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Chapter Programs
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Lectures and Field Trips Lectures are typically the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM, and tasty snacks will be provided for socializing (BYO non-alcoholic beverage or water bottle) We will meet in The Citadel Grimsley Hall Copeland Auditorium, 3 Jenkins Ave, Charleston, SC 29403. Free parking is available after 5:00 pm along Summerall Field (highlighted on map). See below for a parking pass if needed for surrounding lots (NOT needed for regular visitor parking).     Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 pm Lecture: Gardening with Natives for (Almost) Year-Round Blooms & Maximizing Ecological Benefit Sharleen Johnson of Native Plants to the People LLC An incredibly well timed presentation by Sharleen Johnson to get inspired just in time for the SCNPS Plant Sale the following Saturday the 21st. Sharleen will share a brand-new photo-filled presentation featuring native plants that can be incorporated into Charleston-area yards to provide 11-12 months of colorful blooms. In addition, she’ll share a bunch of actionable tips for how to attract and support the full life cycles of butterflies, bees, songbirds, and more! Saturday, March 21, 9 am – 12 noon |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
SATURDAY, MARCH 21 DEADLINE FOR MEMBER PRE-ORDER – Monday March 2!  Members Pre-Order Info: This is a members-only opportunity! If you are not a current SCNPS member, you will need to join or renew your membership in order to be eligible to participate in this pre-order. scnps.org/scnps-membership Pre-orders may be placed anytime between Saturday 2/14/26 and Monday 3/2/26. See full plant list and info here. Co-sponsored by the Town of Mount Pleasant and SC Native Plant Society Lowcountry Chapter. The spring sale will be farmers-market-style with these sellers offering a variety of natives: Click on each name to see more info.
Each seller will handle their own check-out process (cash, check, or credit card). Shoppers may wish to bring a box, cart, or wagon to carry plants. Volunteers will be on hand to help you. Admission to the Native Plant Market is free. There are restrooms on site. For more info, please contact Eddie Bernard at edlbernard@aol.com. To volunteer before or at the sale, please contact Melody Lane at melodylane88@gmail.com. Plant Sale volunteers and SCNPS members can start shopping at 8:40. Clemson Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and accept your soil samples. Several other organizations will also be tabling to share information about native plant related resources! |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Special co-hosted event with the Monday, April 13 CHS Hort Society Cultivating Minds Lecture Series: Welcome Reception: 5:30 PM Lecture: 6:00 – 7:00 PM Q&A: 7:00 – 7:30 PM The first 20 SCNPS members to register can attend for free! Register here!  In partnership with the Charleston Horticultural Society, we invite you to join us for an engaging and informative presentation with Sam Hoadley, Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center, as he highlights standout native plants proven to perform beautifully in real garden conditions. Drawing from Mt. Cuba Center’s renowned Trial Garden, Sam will highlight top-performing native species and cultivars, including favorites like wild hydrangea, Carex, Amsonia, Vernonia, and Solidago. He’ll share how these plants performed in trials, what makes certain selections truly stand out, and how gardeners can confidently choose natives that offer both beauty and ecological value. Venue: MUSC Campus – Behavioral Science Building (next to Drug Discovery Building) Auditorium, 68 President Street, Charleston 29403 Parking: Jonathan Lucas Parking Garage – vouchers provided for free parking |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Chapter News
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Lowcountry Chapter Community Project
Volunteers Needed for Demonstration Garden Installation  Sunday, March 29, 1 to 3 pm Join the South Carolina Native Plant Society’s Lowcountry Chapter board members for a hands-on native plant demonstration garden installation at Quarterman Park in North Charleston! The Lowcountry Chapter is partnering with the City of North Charleston and Keep North Charleston beautiful to support their Adopt-a-Flowerbed program. Volunteers will learn how to select native plants for landscaping, as well as gain practical experience in garden design, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Space is limited and registration opens two weeks before the event at this link. |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Cullowhee Native Plant Conference Native Plant Sponsorship Applications Are Now Open! We are pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Native Plant Sponsorship are now open for those interested in attending the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. If you have a passion for native plants, ecology, and sustainability, this sponsorship opportunity can help support your participation in this year’s conference. Application Deadline: April 15, 2026 Learn more and apply: nativeplants.wcu.edu Please share with anyone who may be interested. We look forward to seeing this year’s applicants.  |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Additional Programs of Interest
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Advocacy Update: Learning sessions with SC Environmental Law Project on issues surrounding the proposed gas plant and data centers  Thursday, March 5, 2-3pm – Join SCELP staff attorney Emily Poole for a virtual case chat focused on the legislative landscape around data centers, energy development and the legal concept of concurrency – the idea that infrastructure must keep pace with growth before development is approved. We invite you to join us virtually on Thursday, March 5, from 2-3 pm. RSVP via email here. Tuesday, March 10 – Join SCELP staff attorney Kenzie Poole and partners at the Colleton Civic Center for an in-person public comment workshop preparing residents for the upcoming Public Service Commission hearing on the proposed Canadys gas plant. If you live or work in the Lowcountry, this is an opportunity to understand what’s at stake and learn how to effectively use your voice in the process. RSVP here. |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Sewee Fire Festival  The festival is hosted by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with The Longleaf Alliance and at Charleston County Parks and Recreation’s beautiful Laurel Hill County Park in Mt. Pleasant. This is a family-friendly event that highlights the importance of prescribed fire and conservation across our landscape. This year’s program will feature:
The Sewee Fire Festival is a wonderful opportunity to connect directly with community members, share our mission, and help us spread the message of “good fire” and responsible land stewardship. Visit our website https://www.seweelongleafcoop.org/fire-fest and our Facebook event for more information and sharing. We look forward to seeing you there! Brandi Griffith, Event Coordinator 843.343.1586 seweefirefest@gmail.com
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
SCNPS Statewide Survey Tell us what you love As we begin a new year (our 30th!) with a new State Board, we would like to enlist you to help guide our growth and development. Whether you are a longtime member, just joined, or have never been a member but follow our work, your feedback is important to us! The SCNPS Engagement Survey consists of 16 questions and four optional open-ended questions which takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Survey participants will be entered to win one of three prizes:
Anonymous survey submissions are permitted, but you must enter your email to be entered to win. The survey will close for submissions on March 8th. Fill out the SCNPS Engagement Survey today! |
|---|
(or don’t
) about the SCNPS!
