Kansas Native Plant Society
Promoting the awareness, appreciation,
and stewardship of Kansas native plants.
Flint Hills, photo: Scott Bean
News – Announcements – Happenings
2026 Annual Wildflower Weekend (AWW) and Membership Meeting was held in Johnson County – September 25-27.
We were treated to a behind the scenes look at the natural park system created and maintained by Johnson County Parks and Recreation. Within the parks are remnant and restored prairie systems along with natural woodlands and neighboring urban areas that invite visitors to experience the historical landscape through native plant gardens.
The Johnson County Park and Recreation District manages over 10,000 acres, including four streamway parks and 150 miles of scenic trails that attract approximately 7.8 million visitors annually. It’s one of the most visited park systems in the region.
KNPS Members submitted nearly 60 photos to the 2026 Annual Photo Contest.
Check out our Calendar where you will find events planned by KNPS and other groups that offer walks, plant sales, work days, education and other native plant themed opportunities.
Are you a member of KNPS? It’s easy to join! Membership benefits include your own copy of the quarterly printed KNPS Newsletter, early details about Spring/Summer Meetings and an early printed invitation to the Annual Wildflower Weekend each year. Your dues and donations help fund KNPS Scholarships to Kansas graduate students, Non-Profit Funding Awards and the popular Plant A Prairie program that awards free native plant gardens to schools and public places across Kansas. Click this link to join or renew your membership.
The KNPS 2026 Native Plant of the Year is Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) from the grass family (Poaceae).
Side-oats grama is an important perennial bunchgrass species of the mixed-grass and tallgrass prairies and it can be found in every county of Kansas. This 1-3’ tall sun-loving, drought tolerant warm season grass blooms from July to September and is found most commonly in dry open grasslands.
Read more about the 2026 Native Plant of the Year.
The #1 field guide, 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬, Revised and Expanded Editions, first published in 2005, has been updated in 2024 with more grasses and more plant images. It fits in your backpack and will last for many years of field use. Read about your favorite plants and peruse plants you haven’t met, yet.
Order your copy at this link.
This is the book form of the #1 online resource: www.kswildflower.org
Plant A Prairie Program
Over 182 native plant gardens have been awarded to schools and public garden spaces by the KNPS Plant A Prairie Program. The Application period opens in the spring and plants are delivered as the school year begins each fall. This program has been made possible by a generous donation from the Kliesen Memorial Fund. June Kliesen, former KNPS board member, was a lifelong educator and her family has created a legacy so that school children could experience native plants in school gardens.
