Washington Native Plant Society: Okanogan Chapter

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The Okanogan Chapter

The Okanogan Chapter was initiated in 1984 by a small group of local native plant enthusiasts who wished to provide themselves and others opportunities to explore and learn the flora of north central Washington. Anyone can affiliate with the Okanogan Chapter and we welcome new members. Our efforts and activities are concentrated in a region roughly between the North Cascades and the Kettle Range, from Lake Chelan to the Canadian border.

We are a small group and we love to get out and hike, so each year we have a field trip planning meeting to offer lots of great field trips from spring through the fall. Members can expect to get a list of these field trips each spring, then, we hope you’ll join us.

North central Washington has a diverse topography spanning the lofty peaks of the North Cascades to sandy glacial benches along the Columbia River, a relief of nearly 9,000 feet. Low elevation habitats are dominated by grasslands, sagebrush species and bitterbrush, which transition upward into ponderosa pine. The mountains are dominated by conifers which give way at higher elevations to emerald-green subalpine parklands capped by rocky alpine peaks.

We are rich in public lands and special natural areas that provide lots of recreational and wildflower viewing opportunities. Tiffany Mountain is one such special place. Find out about our recent work with the Tonasket Ranger District.