NANPS Committees

Committees and contact information is below. To learn more about volunteering for NANPS, click here.


Committee Contact Description
Board of Directors president@nanps.org A small, dedicated group of volunteers manages NANPS. The Board of Directors is elected by the membership each October at NANPS Annual General Meeting. New Directors may be appointed by the Board at other times during the year. NANPS Officers include: the President, Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer. These positions are elected by the Board. The Board meets monthly for about 3 hours from September to May and for a full day planning session each June. Between meetings, information is exchanged primarily via email. Internet access is highly recommended for persons interested in joining the Board. In addition to Board meetings, Directors are asked to participate in at least one committee or special project. It is not essential to have an in-depth knowledge of native plants, but some management or administrative experience is encouraged. A three year commitment is requested.
Awards & Nomination Committee awards@nanps.org NANPS offers several annual awards: The Founders Conservation Award, the Richard Woolger Cultivation Award, the Garden Award and Volunteer of the Year Award. The Committee is responsible for garnering nominations and submitting recommendations to the Board of Directors, as well as arranging appropriate commemoratives for the award recipients. The Committee may also assess and approach potential Directors for recommendation to the Board of Directors. Nominations are also accepted directly from the NANPS membership.
Related volunteer activities may include researching the activities of other groups and individuals, selecting appropriate commemoratives or creating presentations/displays.
Education & Publicity Committee publicity@nanps.org Public education is a key purpose of NANPS. The Education Committee researches appropriate methods of delivering information about native plant issues to the general public and NANPS membership.

Related volunteer activities may include: creating marketing campaigns, writing new information sheets and booklets, designing or setting up displays at appropriate venues, staffing booths, creating quizzes and activities for various events, recommending venues (ie. display booths at gardening/environmental shows etc), updating NANPS media contact list and writing media releases and advertising for NANPS events.

Plant Sale Committee plantsale@nanps.org The spring sale is usually NANPS largest annual event. In addition to raising the bulk of NANPS operating funds, it introduces thousands of native species to GTA area gardens and provides an opportunity to showcase native flora to a wider audience. Offering in excess of 400 species of native perennials, ferns, grasses, shrubs and trees, the event also features information booths from other related groups, hundreds of books & magazines, and an array of interesting and informative speakers. This is the largest native plant sale in Canada. Planning and implementing it takes hundreds of hours of volunteer time starting eight months before the actual sale date. The committee oversees the sale organization, arranges for speakers and volunteers and works with the Education & Publicity Committee to publicize the event and create new displays and handouts for the sale.
Related volunteer activities include: setup (day before sale), table staffing, cube van drivers and loaders (to collect plants from growers), website updates, contacting growers, display creation, information sheet creation, photography (during sale or for displays) and staffing booths after the sale to find homes for unsold plants.
Land Management Committee land@nanps.org

NANPS currently owns two conservation properties: Shining Tree Woods in the Carolinian zone of southern Ontario, and Zinkan Cove on the west shore of the Bruce Peninsula, on Lake Huron. Both these properties offer unique challenges. Shining Tree Woods is home to a number of rare species, including its namesake, the Cucumber Magnolia or Shining Tree. Zinkan Cove is an alvar property and designated ANSI (Area of Natural or Scientific Interest). It is co-managed by the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, which holds an environmental easement on the land.
The Land Management Committee is responsible for ensuring that these properties are protected and for investigating opportunities to expand NANPS land holdings.
Related volunteer activities may include: site management, invasives monitoring/eradication, species identification and cataloguing, fundraising, volunteer coordination, seed collection and propagation, signage design, real estate and legal advice.

Fundraising Committee treasurer@nanps.org Fundraising is essential to every charity and NANPS is no exception. This Committee is responsible for applying for grants, creating new fundraising opportunities and coordinating donation appeals.

Related volunteer activities may include researching funding sources, finding/creating NANPS merchandise, graphics design, letter-writing, telephoning, bookkeeping, and contacting individuals and corporations for donations of goods and services.

Volunteer Committee volunteer@nanps.org

Volunteers are the heart and soul of NANPS. Finding, training and managing volunteers is a job unto itself, and far more than any single volunteer can handle effectively. This committee works closely with NANPS other committees, communicates with volunteers and other organizations that work with NANPS, creates training manuals and training sessions for various activities, researches NANPS obligations, legal and insurance requirements with respect to volunteer activities, and coordinates the volunteer needs of all other committees.

Related Volunteer activities may include becoming a volunteer, legal advice, administration, training other volunteers, arranging seminars, writing, telephoning, creating volunteer recognition promotions.

Website Committee web@nanps.org NANPS has a continental mandate and www.nanps.org/nanps-woo/nanps-woo provides the best opportunity of reaching such a wide audience. Help NANPS communicate with more people like you by creating fresh and informative content.

Related volunteer activities include: graphic design, photography, artwork, research/writing, updating sections of the website from your location.

Seed Exchange Committee seeds@nanps.org NANPS seed exchange provides members with an economical and ethical way to grow indigenous species. The Committee is responsible for encouraging seed donations, obtaining phytosanitary certificates for cross-border orders and setting standards for seed dissemination. NANPS is a regular exhibitor at Seedy Saturday events around Ontario.

Related volunteer activities may include updating our online seed list, researching seed germination techniques, seed cleaning and repackaging, labeling & shipping seeds and promoting native plants and the seed exchange at various venues. Volunteers may also be asked to test-germinate seeds from time-to-time or to grow plants for our annual spring sale.

Plant Rescue & Restoration Committee restorations@nanps.org Unfortunately, established native plants are all too often endangered by development. As a last resort, when efforts to maintain the original habitat have failed, plant rescue may be undertaken. This committee assesses areas available for plant salvages, obtains permission to access the property, oversees the salvage operation, and arranges for volunteers. For rescue operations outside of the GTA, the Committee maintains contact with local groups and assists as feasible. The Committee also coordinates activities at NANPS restoration project, Charlie Clifford Park, and the listing of other restoration opportunities.

Related volunteer activities may include conducting on-site plant surveys, salvaging plants, potting or replanting, species identification, and maintaining contact with groups and individuals operating restorations/salvages across North America.

Excursions Committee excursions@nanps.org Visiting natural areas is a fun and interesting way to expand your knowledge of native plant communities. NANPS generally arranges at least two excursions for its members every year, frequently chartering buses or arranging car pools to conservation areas. Past excursions have included trips to New Mexico, Manitoulin Island and to several woodlands, prairies, alvars and wetlands.

Related volunteer activities may include investigating transportation and accommodations, finding knowledgeable tour guides, researching excursion locations, designing posters or other advertising modes, telephoning, and tracking participants.