Our mission is to promote the enjoyment and conservation of North Carolina’s native plants and their habitats through education, protection, cultivation, and advocacy.

Featherbells (Stenanthium gramineum var. robustum) on the Parkway. Photo by Will Stuart.

Why native plants?

Past Shinn Grant Recipients

2025 Annual Campaign donations go the Tom and Bruce Shinn Fund

Each year, the Shinn Fund provides grants to students engaging in research on topics related to native plants. Research deepens our understanding of North Carolina native plant habitats, shapes conservation strategies, and inspires the next generation of plant
scientists.

That is why your gift makes a powerful impact for native plants. Help us ensure that our native plant communities continue to thrive with your gift to the Shinn Fund.

Click here: “Make Your Gift”

How can I make a difference?

Garden with native plants

Native plants are the cornerstone for North Carolina’s biological diversity. Choosing native plants for your garden is the best way to provide food and shelter for our native animals and insects.

Identify native & non-native plants

Identifying both native & non-native plants is the first step to moving in the right direction. We’ve got a myriad of ways to search plants with detailed photos and helpful search tools.

Apply for grants & scholarships

To preserve and protect native plants in North Carolina, we offer four funding sources that support projects to achieve our mission. Click through for more details below.

Native plant education

To know native plants is to want to protect them. That’s why education is a central part of our mission. We support a wide range of activities and resources that foster new generations of native plant enthusiasts.