PHILANTHROPY AND PHILODENDRONS
The California Native Plant Conservatory
What is it?
The California Native Plant Conservatory will be a glass display house dedicated to the presentation of and education about California native plants.
As of right now, CNPC is simply an idea. However, it is a goal I plan to work toward throughout my career as a conservation botanist. As someone who got into plants through the houseplant industry and fell deeper in love with them by visiting botanical gardens, I find that conservatories are a key element of sparking peoples' interest in plants.
As my enthusiasm has extended beyond houseplants and into plants as a whole, I've had the idea of building a conservatory strictly for the viewing of plant taxa native to California.
Considering the active development of the Sacramento Botanical Garden, I offer this site as the best option for the creation of CNPC. If you have yet to find out about the Sacramento Botanical Garden, check out their page at https://sacbo.org/.
Figure 1: Calochortus splendens near Lake Berryessa
Why should we make one?
Conservation
Awareness
Although we have plenty of greenhouses for the cultivation of non-native plants, I understand that it may not be readily apparent why we would want to build greenhouses for native plants. After all, we can just grow these plants outdoors- right?
Well, the answer to that question is actually not so simple. First off, global warming has been taking its toll on many, if not all of our native plants. This can impact each species differently. For some, such as Abies concolor (white fir), the warming has actually had a positive effect. As the temperatures rise at higher elevations, white firs have the opportunity to extend their range upward.
However, another native tree, Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine), has a population range that sits above the elevation the white firs typically grow in. As the white firs extend their range, they start to outcompete the whitebark pines. This reduces the range of the whitebark pines to even higher elevations. What's more, global warming will ultimately have a negative impact on both of these species further down the line.
The relationship between the white firs and the whitebark pines goes to show how global warming can impact the success of our native plants directly and indirectly. In turn, growing native plants in greenhouses allows us to reliably maintain the genetic diversity of a species population, just like we do with conservation of the non-natives.
Another critical element to this story is awareness. I can't help but notice that very few botanic gardens prioritize educating about native plant conservation. I think this has to do with the misconception that native plants are boring- many US citizens have a sort of 'been there done that' attitude when it comes to native plants.
The truth of the matter is that most Californians have no idea about the beautiful and unique plants growing nearby. What's more, if they've seen a captivating flower out on their daily walk, they might assume its a non-native or forget to do a quick google search after they get home to find out more about it.
Another aspect to consider is the nature of hiking. Although myself and many other nature lovers would choose an outdoor activity over the gym in a heartbeat, many people find comfort in a gym's reliability. Likewise, a lot of people don't have the time or physical ability to do a hike or go to the gym.
Herein lies the problem: if Californians aren't learning about native plants at botanical gardens, and they aren't learning about native plants outdoors, how can they be expected to care about them?
This is where CNPC comes in. By creating a space where native plants of all different California habitats are brought together, it gives Californians the opportunity to learn all about the many unique species California has to offer, and would inspire them to get out and go looking for more.
Figure 2: Calochortus tiburonensis on Ring Mountain
Figure 3: Smelowskia ovalis var. congesta on Lassen Peak
The Statistics:
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native plants only comprise ~ 3% of nursery sales in the state of California
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over half of Americans spend less than five hours per week in nature
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as of 2024, one in five Americans go on one or more hikes per year-- this number is an increase from the 2010 findings of only one in ten Americans
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California is home to 59 different wildlife habitats, and that's only based on the number dictated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (providing access to plants from all of these habitats would allow Californians to learn more about their state)
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both the California Botanic Garden and the Regional Parks Botanic Garden have extensive native plant areas, but CBG is very far south and neither of these gardens offer display glasshouses for their native plants
Putting my plan into action:
Once I can get my life in order by securing a job and finding a place to live, I plan to work towards this goal by building upon my career in conservation work. This will provide me with the background necessary to run CNPC when the time comes.
I also plan to start the process of grant writing, working first on smaller grants for the job position I acquire and then building up to larger grants that would hopefully be able to fund the construction of a large glass display house.
I also hope to begin volunteering for the Sacramento Botanical Garden, whether that be through raising funds for its completion or through working as a docent after its creation.
Figure 4: Boechera arcuata in Three Rivers, CA
Figure 5: Cassiope mertensiana near Lassen Peak
Conclusion
Figure 6: Brodiaea elegant along Pioneer Trail in Nevada County
If people learn more about the cool plants that grow near them, it will hopefully inspire them to make greater efforts to see those species in their native habitat. Subsequently, it will get people outside, active, and donating to plant conservation organizations.
As conservationists, a big part of our job is appealing to the public who may not care very much about the work we hold so close to our hearts. Even though it can sometimes feel hopeless, it is important to remember that people do care, they've just been conditioned not to. By bringing the California Native Plant Conservatory to Sacramento, we can educate people on why they should care about native plants, and instill joy and curiosity for the natural world right around us!
Figure 7: Allium campanulatum on Brokeoff Mountain Trail at Lassen Volcanic National Park
Works Cited
Figure 8: Thysanocarpus laciniatus on the High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles National Park
Adults spend little time outside weekly. Adults spend little time outside weekly | Nature of Americans. (2017, April 26). https://natureofamericans.org/findings/viz/adults-spend-little-time-outside-weekly
Bryant, D. (2025, January 24). Bloom! California: Native plants for a bright tomorrow. California Native Plant Society. https://www.cnps.org/news-releases/bloom-california-native-plants-for-a-bright-tomorrow-2-24959
Outdoor Foundation. (2025b, June 20). 2025 outdoor participation trends report. https://material-civet.files.svdcdn.com/production/images/documents/2025-OIA_Participation_Trends_Full_Report_2025-12-15-211912_fchj.pdf?dm=1765833552
State of California, Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife. (1988). Wildlife Habitats - California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Home Page. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/Analysis/CWHR/Wildlife-Habitats