Join us for the 2025 INPS statewide annual gathering the weekend of June 20-22, 2025. The rolling hills of Southern Illinois will take center stage during this year's gathering based at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Center in Carbondale. Come out for field trips throughout the weekend and engaging talks in the evenings. Visit https://www.illinoisplants.org/the-annual-gathering/ for more details and registration info. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please register by **Thursday, June 5th** to have the option for on-site meals. Registration for field trips, talks, etc., will be accessible up to the day of the event. Hope to see you there! (fb)

What a turnout! The 2025 INPS Central Chapter Native Plant Sale was a great success — and it’s all thanks to the many plant enthusiasts who came from near and far to support Illinois native species. It’s always inspiring to see so much interest in restoring and preserving our natural ecosystems. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the event possible: • 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬: 3 B Natives Plant Nursery, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Starhill Forest Arboretum, and our dedicated member volunteers. Your contributions allowed us to offer an incredible diversity of native plants. • 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬: Thank you for providing a fantastic location and facilitating the setup process. • 𝐑𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: We appreciate your fast, high-quality work on our advertising materials, educational handouts, and photo cards, which are so helpful for shoppers. • 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬: Dozens of you contributed your time and energy over many months — planning, digging, potting, growing, labeling, advertising, hauling, and more. Your efforts made this event possible. If you’re still looking for native plants in the Springfield area, 3B Natives has partnered with Greenview Nursery, Seaney Farms (Route 97 location) and New City Greenhouse to provide a local selection. You can also order directly at 3BNatives.com. Looking for more native plant sales or suppliers? Visit the INPS website for statewide listings: 🔗 Native Plant Sales: https://www.illinoisplants.org/native-plant-sales/ 🔗 Native Plant Nurseries: https://www.illinoisplants.org/native-plant-nurseries/ Proceeds from the sale support grants and special projects throughout central Illinois. Learn more and help spread the word about our ongoing grant program, open year-round: 🔗 Grant Info: https://www.illinoisplants.org/.../central-chapter-grant.../ Want to stay involved and learn more about native plants? Consider joining INPS! With chapters across the state, there's always something happening. Become a member here: https://www.illinoisplants.org/.../online-membership-form/ Check out the Central Chapter’s upcoming events: 🔗 Events Calendar: https://www.illinoisplants.org/central-chapter-events/ Thank you again to everyone who contributed, volunteered, and attended — we appreciate your support! (fb)