by Rick Huffman
Greetings, Native Plant Enthusiast,
This hot summer is rolling along into an exciting fall for our society, and I’m happy to share the news and updates that make us proud to be part of something bigger – a voice for native plants.
We’ve been busy prepping for the fall: teaching classes with Furman students, speaking to groups, and spreading the word about SCNPS at tabling events. Our picnic at Devil’s Fork State Park and Lake Jocassee, spearheaded by our Vice President Nia Thomas, was a highpoint of the season. The boat tours with Dan Whitten, great food and fellowship, were pure fun!
Our tabling at the 5th Annual Paw Paw Festival at Blue Oak Horticulture was super popular as the enthusiasm for native plants continues to grow. Our own board member Ryan Merck and his wife Carrie Merck founded the festival to honor America’s largest native fruit during its peak harvest season in the Upstate, and to educate and bring people together in the beautiful natural environment of their farm in Taylors. SCNPS is proud to support Blue Oak and the event.
Since 1988, summers across the Southeast for native plant enthusiasts have been centered around the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference at Western Carolina University. Every year, hundreds of native plant enthusiasts, professionals, and newbies have convened for four days of fun, learning, sharing, and building friendships.
Our society has been well represented for 30 years with booths, speakers, members on the steering committee, and scholarships. The conference has served as an incubator for SCNPS leadership through the scholarship program. I’ve attended since 1996. Sadly, the conference will no longer be held at Western Carolina University, which was an invested host, providing all the services to run the conference.
Now, the conference steering committee and dedicated folks are working to find a new home and become self-sustaining. The conference’s new name is The Southeastern Native Plant Conference. The last conference at Cullowhee was as grand as always, and memories were shared. Stay tuned for updates on the relocation.
Our epic news this year is the birth of the new Golden Corner Chapter spanning Pickens, Oconee, and Anderson counties in the northwestern tip of the state. How exciting! For years we’ve needed a chapter in this area known as the Golden Corner for its abundance of natural resources including mountain lakes, waterfalls, rivers and Sumter National Forest. Now, with the leadership of chapter president Laurie Churchill and others, the new chapter is coming to life. On October 13th at 5 pm, their first meeting will be a celebration at Jenkins House in Pendleton, South Carolina. You’re invited, so I hope you can come. Also, make plans to attend the Golden Corner Native Plant Jubilee on Oct 3rd in Seneca featuring native plant vendors, crafts and art, speakers, and kids’ activities!
Our 30th year has given us many opportunities to be inspired by our impressive legacy in every area of our work. The next big celebration will be our Annual Symposium hosted this year by our Low Country Chapter in Charleston on September 18th-20th. “Rooted in Resilience” is the theme, and the program will be awesome, including speakers, field trips, food, fun, and fellowship! Response has been overwhelming, and registration was already sold out by September 4th!
Our board is dedicated to carrying out our message and our mission, and we’re grateful for their leadership in carrying us forward. But we always want to pay tribute to those who, behind the scenes, make us go. I want to recognize our outgoing secretary, Susan Lockridge, for her 28 years of leadership and dedication as our secretary, past plant sale chair, and her support for all things SCNPS. Thank you, Susan!!
Since transitions are always part of a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, we’re excited to welcome Laney Engel as our new secretary. Her enthusiasm for native plants is contagious.
We’re also looking for leadership in key areas such as Education and Outreach and Field Trips. If you want to make a difference and support our movement, join us, get involved, and be part of the best conservation organization in the state.
As always, I’m grateful and honored for the opportunity to lead our organization. Thank You!!
Your President, Rick Huffman
