Conservation Committee

The Conservation Committee promotes the conservation of Washington's native plants; it addresses local and national issues affecting these plants and is the principal advocate for native plant conservation within the Society. The Committee's responsibilities include:

The Committee chair writes the conservation column in the WNPS newsletter Douglasia, to inform WNPS members about important events affecting native plants, conservation philosophy, legislation, and other pertinent topics.

The Committee responds to state and federal activities affecting native plants in Washington, for example Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments for proposed actions under NEPA AND SEPA, Habitat Conservation Plans developed under the ESA, and importantly, proposed legislation in the state legislature.

Committee response on these issues requires acquisition and study of relevant documents, sometimes attending meetings and discussions with knowledgeable persons, and drafting written or oral comments.

The Committee chair has responsibility and authority, working with the committee members, to develop a conservation budget and projects she or he believes are appropriate in promoting the conservation of Washington's native plants, (see Conservation Policy), and also activities as directed by the Board. The chair reports to the WNPS Board of Directors on the committee's activities and expenditures at board meetings.

In the next five years WNPS will focus its efforts and increase its work on Invasive Species which impact all native plant habitats, and two selected habitats in critical need of protection: Garry Oak Woodlands and Shrub-Steppe Habitats.