Exhibit Hall

Open throughout the conference, the exhibit hall will include vendors, sponsors, non-profits, agencies, the CNPS Store, art exhibits, and more!

Are you or your organization interested in exhibiting at the largest statewide native plant conference in California? Want to interact with more than 1,000 plant lovers and professionals? Visit conference.cnps.org to learn more about exhibitor opportunities before spaces sell out!

Plant Portraits Art Exhibition

This curated art exhibition brings together contemporary artists working at the intersections of native plants, people, and place. 

The theme, “Plant Portraits,” invites artists and audiences to look at native plants through the lens of portraiture, a style of art typically used for intimately capturing people—their personality, interests, and lives. The show will be on display in the Exhibit Hall; purchases will support artists and the CNPS Conference. 

Plants, People, Place: Community Art and Photo Contest

Calling all artists and photographers!  We invite you to enter images that explore and express your connections to California native plants. 

Submit to our community art and photo contest for the chance to be featured at the CNPS Conference! We invite artists and photographers to share work that explores the interrelationships between native plants, people, and place. All accepted submissions will be displayed on the conference website and virtually projected at the event. Your artwork will be seen by more than 1,000 plant lovers and professionals at the conference, and thousands more online. For more information and to submit your work, visit conference.cnps.org/submit/community-art-photo-contest/

Posters

Posters are on display throughout the conference, highlighting native plant projects, scientific research, community initiatives and beyond!

A dedicated poster session will take place during the opening reception on Thursday evening where conference attendees can interact directly with poster presenters. Have a project, study or idea you want to share through a poster? Poster submissions are open through June 30, 2022.

Songfest & Music Jam

Jam out with Sage Against the Machine as they play a unique collection of original songs and stories that explore native plant conservation and horticultural themes in a sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always entertaining fashion.

Attendees are encouraged to bring acoustic instruments, and/or songs with lyrics and chords (but not sheet music) on a thumb drive. Songs will be projected on a screen so others can sing and play along. Songs with botanical themes are encouraged (adapt new lyrics to old favorites!) but all other good songs are welcome. Familiar songs or tunes work best, and you should be prepared to lead the songs you bring. This will be a fun event whether you can play an instrument or sing, or just love live music!

Poetry Slam

Enjoy poetry about our connections to California native plants and recite your own.

Join in this celebration of poetry and plants as community members come together to share their words, musings, and lyrics about our favorite flora.

Screening of Saging the World

Saging has become a viral trend. What’s the truth behind the smoke? Join us for a special screening of Saging the World, co-produced by CNPS, Rose Ramirez and Deborah Small. 

“Saging” has become common in movies, TV shows, social media, and cleansing rituals –people burning sage bundles in the hope of purifying space and clearing bad energy. Instead of healing, the appropriated use of saging in popular culture is having a harmful effect. Indigenous communities have tended a relationship with white sage for thousands of generations. Today, poachers are stealing metric tons of this plant from the wild to supply international demand. Saging the World spotlights the ecological and cultural issues intertwined with white sage, centering the voices of Native advocates who have long protected and cherished this plant.

CNPS Celebration

Come together with friends new and old at this celebration of the native plant community. Members of the Chia Café Collective will provide the keynote presentation, introducing you to the relationships behind native foods, Indigenous culinary legacies and a vision for a sustainable, food-sovereign future.

The CNPS Celebration will be held onsite at the San Jose DoubleTree. Tickets are $65 during early registration, $80 during regular registration, and $125 onsite or for a guest who is not registered for the conference.

Botanical Tattoo Contest

Come see cool native plant tattoos and/or show off your own!

Back by popular demand, the botanical tattoo contest invites attendees to show off their native plant ink! Join the fun as judges determine the winners across several categories. More details to come!