About UNPS
The Utah Native Plant Society is dedicated to the appreciation, preservation, conservation and responsible use of the native plant and plant communities found in the state of Utah and the Intermountain West.
Our goal is to foster public recognition of the spectacularly diverse flora of the state, a natural treasure to be valued, respected and protected.
How it all started
The Utah Native Plant Society was formed in late 1978 specifically out of a growing concern for imperiled rare plant species. Some of those original ideals and concerns were expressed in Goals and Objectives of the Utah Native Plant Society presented by Stanley Welsh, one of the co-founders of the organization, in September of 1978.
Co-founder and long time former board member Dick Hildreth was honored by us with a lifetime service and achievement award in March, 2005, see UNPS recognizes co-founder Dick Hildreth . See also UNPS recognizes Duane Atwood with Lifetime Achievement Award in March, 2008.
Our Mission
At is core UNPS is a conservation and educational organization with programs and committees focused around the protection of Utah rare native plants, Utah native plant conservation including anything that threatens the well-being of Utah native plant species and communities (not the least of which relates to invasive species), the use of Utah native plants for landscaping and restoration and research relating to Utah native plant species.
Our status
UNPS is a non-profit organization. See our Articles of Incorporation which outlines our organizational structure. UNPS is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization with the original IRS determination letter having been issued in April of 1984. The organization’s exempt status was confirmed by the IRS in April of 2001. UNPS is also exempt from Utah sales tax as a qualified charitable organization.
The year 2003 marked our 25th year as the primary Utah native plant advocate within the state of Utah. Many of our rare plants face unprecedented threats, particularly in Washington County and in the Uinta Basin. Weather patterns in recent years are evidence of the critical need to use native plant species in our landscapes, something that we have always advocated.