Montana Native Plant Society - Valley of Flowers Chapter

10/24/2026

Winter Plant ID Walk with Matt Lavin & Robyn Klein: Saturday, November 7th, 1:00 pm.

Join us for a short hike to identify trees and shrubs native to our area. Meet at the New World Gulch Trail parking lot at 1:00 p.m., near the end of Bear Canyon Road east of Bozeman. Directions: drive east on Kagy Blvd, pass through Mount Ellis, and turn south (rt) onto Bear Canyon Road. Drive 3 miles to the trailhead parking. Wear sturdy footwear - be prepared for a slippery trail. Info: Robyn Klein, (406) 600-1712. Bring a plant hand lens if you have one. No registration necessary.

10/14/2026

Mark your calendars...MNPS Presents is BACK!
We're kicking off another season of our wildly popular, monthly online presentation series with a look back at all the fund we had this summer! Citizen Botany Coordinator Grace Hoelscher will lead us through the highlights of 2026, featuring the best rare plant finds and other moments of Montana magic from all corners of the state.
Oct 20th, 7pm Mountain Time. This program is FREE and open to the public; find Zoom registration details and more info at mtnativeplants.org/mnps-presents-online-programs

10/14/2026

Job opening!

Spread the word - the Citizen Botany Program is seeking a Coordinator for 2027!
The Montana Citizen Botany Program enlists volunteers to conduct native plant conservation tasks throughout the state. The program is currently seeking a Coordinator to manage volunteers and botany data, conduct research, participate in field-based group events and contribute in various ways to developing this state-wide program.
Hired through the MT Department of Agriculture, this Montana AgCorps position will work closely with MNPS and be supervised by the Montana Natural Heritage Program botanist in Helena. This position serves an early-January to late-November term and provides benefits, including a living allowance, education award (upon completion), housing stipend (if eligible), and avenues to grow marketable skills and knowledge.
Interested candidates please visit mtnativeplants.org/conservation/citizen-botany to learn more about the program and see the full position description

08/01/2026

Great note - no need to deadhead!

Don't Deadhead Flowers

A mid to late summer culling of blooms might seem beneficial, but there are several instances when leaving the flowers is the better option.

-- For new plants, removing spent blooms will encourage resources to be drawn up out of the roots to produce more flowers, thus taxing the plant. There is little else that’s more energy and resource intensive than flowering. If you have a young plant resist the urge to deadhead so the plant can focus on root development instead.

-- Leaving spent flowers means you’re leaving seeds for autumn and winter wildlife. Feeding the entire ecosystem should always be our goal.

-- The seeds that wildlife don’t get will turn into free plants for you. More plants means more flowers and more coverage on the ground so weeds can’t get a foothold. We design gardens with self sowing in mind — thinning seedlings is easier, and cheaper, than buying new plants and allows the garden to teach us what it wants naturally. Use plants natural tendency to spread and you can also eliminate the need for wood mulch.

-- Have you ever seen snow piled atop a coneflower or rattlesnake master? Winter interest isn’t just about tree structure or bark color or evergreens. So many of our perennial native plants offer outstanding contrast and architecture in winter — which is one reason of many not to cut down the garden until early spring.

08/01/2026

MNPS is accepting grant proposals to fund projects that stimulate research, conservation, and educational activities that help foster an appreciation for Montana’s native plants and plant communities. Apply by October 31.

If you have a new or ongoing project that focuses on Montana native plants, we hope you'll consider applying for a grant with MNPS! Many thanks to our generous donors who make the MNPS Grants Program possible, supporting research, education and conservation efforts throughout the state. Visit mtnativeplants.org/board/grants-scholarships/grants to find details and apply today!

08/01/2026

Mow it before the seeds form!

If you are mowing Knapweed as a control method, it's important to pay attention to the timing. Wait to mow until the first flower stage before seed set.

**dManagement

05/28/2026

Join the City of Bozeman and Friends on June 6th 10am-1pm at the Museum of the Rockies for free plant giveaways*, compost*, seed mix, and more! Details below. This is always a lot fo fun!

You and all your friends, family, and neighbors are invited to the annual Garden Party! Join the City of Bozeman and Friends on June 6th 10am-1pm at the Museum of the Rockies for free plant giveaways*, compost*, seed mix, and more!

A huge shoutout to our community groups joining the party: Gallatin Watershed Council, Gallatin Conservation District, Sacajawea Audubon Society, Montana Native Plant Society - Valley of Flowers Chapter, Grow Wild, Montana Master Gardener, Gallatin W**d District
*City of Bozeman water customers only. Please bring utility bill for ease of entry!

04/24/2026

Register soon if you want to attend the MNPS Native Plant Rendezvous, June 26-28! We're filling up.

Registration is now open for the MNPS Annual Rendezvous! Get ready for a weekend of botanical excursions, fascinatingworkshops and so much fun as we explore "Botany on the Batholith" with the Valley of Flowers chapter. Space is limited - find all the details, check out the agenda and register today at https://mtnativeplants.org/annual-meetings/annual-meeting!

04/24/2026

Check out the great deals in our online auction fundraiser! All proceeds benefit the MNPS, and you get some good loot to boot. Open now until May 11.

CLOSING SOON: The MNPS Spring Fling Fundraiser Auction ends tonight, May 11, at 7 pm mountain time!
We invite you to bid generously on this year's array of artwork, gear, exclusive Montana experiences and much more. All proceeds further native plant preservation, conservation and education across the state, and we're incredibly grateful for your support!
This online-only auction will be open through May 11th. View items and get your bids in now at https://new.biddingowl.com/MNPSSpringFling

04/24/2026

get your native plants!

🌷It might be April Fool's Day, but we'd never joke about our Native Plant Sale, especially since it's officially LIVE!

🔗You can check out our Shop page at https://www.growwildmt.org/shop and choose from 37 different species to add native, pollinator-friendly, wildlife-beneficial plants to your space.

🌻Your purchase directly supports our conservation work in your community. Thank you for your support!

**We have special July plants for those at higher elevations who aren't quite ready to plant in June. Make sure you're choosing the right month for you at check out.

**Please note that delivery is NOT available. You can pick up in the Valley on 6/1 and in Big Sky on 6/2 and 7/7. Locations will be shared soon.