Native Plants 101
Join the West Georgia Chapter of the Native Plant Society and Keep Carroll Beautiful to learn what native plants are, why they are important, and how to get started!
- What are native plants?
Understanding native plants and the terminology used to describe them - Benefits of native plants
Exploring their ecological, aesthetic, and practical advantages in landscapes. - Starting the native plant journey
Guidance on planning, recommended plants, and maintenance tips. - Overcoming common concerns
Addressing misconceptions about native plants, including aesthetics, maintenance, and local regulations. - How to get native plants
Native plant sales and nurseries in our area. - Taking your native garden to the next level
Exploring certifications and habitat programs.
The in-person workshop was hosted by Carroll EMC at the Richard D. Tisinger Community Center on Friday, March 28th, 2025.
Meet the team
This workshop was made possible but the cooperation of state and local level Natives Plant and Keep America Beautiful affiliate organizations! West Georgia area was selected to be one of FIVE chapters in the pilot program to promote the native plants to the greater community.
Georgia Native Plant Society
The GNPS promotes the stewardship and conservation of Georgia’s native plants and their habitats through education and involvement of individuals and organizations.
GNPS West Georgia Chapter
The chapter was formed by a group of native plant enthusiasts in 2008 to serve the people in Carroll, Haralson, Paulding, Douglas, Troup, and Coweta Counties.
Keep Georgia Beautiful
The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation educates and inspires Georgians to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environments
Keep Carroll Beautiful
Keep Carroll Beautiful is a certified Keep America Beautiful affiliate, and KGBF member, dedicated to making Carroll County, Georgia, a clean, green, and beautiful.
Georgia Native Plant Society
Education
Presentations, workshops, field trips, symposium, habitat certification.
Conservation
Plant rescues, propagation, restoration projects, and educational gardens.
Advocacy
Favorable native plant policies and toolkits, state flower campaign.
Chapter Network
GNPS West Georgia Chapter
Planting, Rescues, Invasive Plants Removal
Volunteers meet most Tuesday morning to work on Buffalo Creek Nature Trail connecting the Carroll County AG Center and the Carrollton GreenBelt.
Spring and Fall Native Plants Sale
In April and September, the chapter organizes a Native Plants Sale at the AG Center. The sale features several nurseries as well as plants grown by the local chapter members.
Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation
A state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, the foundation supports more than 70 local affiliates across the state.
End Litter
Tackling litter head-on while focusing on prevention as the long-term solution.
Reduce Waste
Helping communities reduce what they throw away to protect the environment and future generations.
Promote Recycling
Boosting recycling to reduce pollution and support local economies.
Beautify Communities
Planting trees and flowers to enhance Georgia’s beauty, support wildlife, and strengthen communities.
Learning Goals
What are native plants?
Why are they important?
How to get started!
What are Native Plants?
Native plants are defined by evolving in a given place over a period of time sufficient to develop complex and essential relationships with other organisms and with the physical environment. In North America, plants that were present in a particular area before European settlement.Â
🌿 There are 3569 known native species in Georgia,
ranking 7th in the United States!
Plant Terminology to Know
found only on granite outcrops
Native
A plant that is indigenous to an area prior to European arrival.
Endemic
A native plant that is uniquely found only in one area.
Aggressive
A native plant that spreads extensively by seed or roots in its native range.
Pictured in the left panel: Blazing Star
Why Are Native Plants Important?
What Are Their Benefits?
Learning Goals
- What are native plants?
- Why are they important?
- How to get started!