The Oklahoma Native Plant Society was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1986 through the efforts of the Wildflower Committee of the Tulsa Garden Clubs using the funds provided from profits earned from the annual Wildflower Workshop co-sponsored by the Garden Clubs and the state Department of Transportation. Due to its Tulsa roots, membership was predominately made up from individuals in that part of the state. Gradually, however, as word spread westward, so did the membership. There are now about 350 members scattered throughout the state and three local chapters;  the North East Chapter in Tulsa, the Central Chapter in Oklahoma City and the Cross-Timbers Chapter in Stillwater. Anyone familiar with Oklahoma geography knows that the population, rainfall and vegetation diminish as you travel from east to west and so does ONPS membership. The Mycology Chapter, more recently established, is not geographical but species oriented.

The society publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Gaillardia, which is described in more detail elsewhere at this site and which encourages all aspects of our purpose. ONPS publishes annually the Oklahoma Native Plant Record, a scholarly journal. Each year in early February, there is an Indoor Outing where slide lectures and demonstrations are conducted. An annual Wildflower Workshop is held in May. Another annual meeting, 1 to 2 days long, occurs each fall with both meetings and field trips. The state society also sponsors other field trips spring, summer and fall to all parts of the state. Local chapters also sponsor field trips and during the winter months, slide presentations covering a broad range of topics. The North East Chapter constructed a list of some of the plants that they saw on some field trips. Additionally, a Wildflower Photo Contest is held each year. The society sponsors a program, Color Oklahoma,  to raise funds for planting native wildflowers along our highways. We attempt to give members and guests opportunities to view first hand the diversity of our state as well as encouragement in the use of this bounty to enrich their lives. We are fortunate to have as members many of the best botanists, biologists, naturalists and teachers in the state.

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