OC-CNPS Horticultural Grant

OC-CNPS Horticultural Grant is sponsored by California Native Plant Society: Orange County Chapter. Supports individuals and organizations in Orange County, CA, in enhancing urban gardens with native plants.

Grants and Awards - Orange County Chapter - CNPS Charlie O’Neill Research Grant Celia Kutcher Conservation Award The Charlie O’Neill Grant was established in 1993 to honor the late Charlie O’Neill, OC-CNPS President from 1990-1992 and a highly inspirational member of the chapter.

The grant is awarded annually to graduate and undergraduate students planning to conduct field research related to biology, ecology, floristics, taxonomy or ethnobotany of native plants. Preference will be given to proposals including study of species, plant communities, etc. occurring within Orange County.

Awards range from $500 to $1000+ (up to $3,000 total annually) based on the number of suitable applicants and the relative quality and merit of their proposals. Grant awards are presented as a lump sum award and may cover items such as supplies, equipment, and travel costs not covered by other sources of funding and include a one-year membership with CNPS.

By accepting funding, grant recipients agree to provide a one paragraph synopsis of their work to be posted on the OC-CNPS website prior to the distribution of funds, and a copy of the final project results, in the form of a report, thesis, dissertation, presentation or newsletter article. Any publication should include acknowledgement of Orange County CNPS.

The grant recipient may be invited to present their work at an Orange County local chapter meeting. Applicants should submit a cover letter and proposal to oneillgrant@occnps. org for review.

The proposal should be 3-5 pages in length and include the following sections: Abstract (or Project Summary) Budget (total requested and otherwise funded cost estimate) Review Process and Selection Criteria Applications must be submitted by the second Friday of February to be considered for funding. *For 2026, the final application submittal date is Friday, February 13.

* Proposals will be reviewed by committee and applicants will be notified as to whether they have been selected for funding before the end of March. Selection will be based on each proposal’s completeness, technical quality, scientific merit, and overall contribution to our understanding of local flora.

All proposals considered for funding must directly support or be consistent with the mission of CNPS which is to ” protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. ” Preference will be given to proposals with direct relevance to Orange County.

If the review committee concludes that no proposal meets selection criteria, then the grant award may be suspended until the following year.

– $1000 for “Montane and Alpine Diversification in a Mega-Genus: A Systematic and Biogeographical Study of Western North American Astragalus ” Marjorie Rhodes (CSU Dominguez Hills) – $1000 for “Characterizing impacts of hybridization in dominant obligate seeders of southern maritime chaparral” – $500 for “Diversification and Endemism in Zeltnera (Gentianaceae): Phylogenomic and Morphological Perspectives on a Cryptic Pan-American Lineage” Joaquin Lopez (UC Irvine) – $500 for “Diversification and Endemism in Zeltnera (Gentianaceae): Phylogenomic and Morphological Perspectives on a Cryptic Pan-American Lineage” Mia Manfredi ($1,000) CalBG/Claremont Graduate University An integrative study examining the disjunct distribution of Salvia funerea M.

E. Jones (Death Valley Sage, Lamiaceae) Charles Boissavy ($1,000) CalBG/Claremont Graduate University Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Trait Evolution, and Biogeography of the Latifolia clade of Eriogonum Mahima Dixit ($500) CalBG/Claremont Graduate University Phylogeny, Phytochemistry, and Taxonomy of Eriogonum subgenus Ganysma with a Focus on the E.

deflexum Complex (Polygonaceae) Chloe Novak ($500) CalBG/Claremont Graduate A Flora of the Amargosa River Headwaters, Nye County, Nevada Matthew Yamamoto ($1,000) CalBG/Claremont Graduate University A Flora of the McGee Creek Watershed, Mono County, California Jen Schlauch ($1,000) University of California, Irvine Native Bee Communities Across Scales: Pollinator Networks and Microbiomes in California’s Coastal Wetlands Mahima Dixit ($500) CalBG/Claremont Graduate University Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Eriogonum deflexum Complex (Polygonaceae) Tyler Bendigo & Andrew Mestas ($250/$250) CSU Fullerton Giving Up on Gametes: Developing in vitro Culture Techniques for Inducing Apogamy to Study Ploidy in Southern California Native Ferns Laurel Sebastian ($1,000) Tracking ecosystem function tradeoffs and synergies: Carbon sequestration across three grassland restoration designs A Floristic Inventory of the Owens River Headwater Area, Mono County, California Understanding the Unusual Disjunction of a Rare Southern Californian Orchid: An Assessment of Malaxis monophyllos var.

brachypoda in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California A tale of two Chloropyrons: Conservation and management implications for the rare (CNPS 1B.

2) Chloropyron tecopense (Orobanchaceae) in California and Nevada Investigating Local Adaptation and Plasticity of Heteromeles arbutifolia using a Common Garden Approach Population Genetics and the Maintenance of Flower Color Polymorphisms in a Non-Model System of Erythranthe discolor (Phrymaceae) “Genomic investigation of the systematics and diversification in North American dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium ssp.)

” Mari is pursuing a master’s degree in molecular biolodgy at Cal State Fullerton. “ Assessing plant pollinator interactions within a wildfire context. ” Xinyu is a PhD candidate in the Eco logy and Evolutionary Biology Department at UC Irvine.

“Assessing beach wrack ecology at Crystal Cove State Park”. Elizabeth is pursuing a master’s degree in Conservation and Restoration Science at UC Irvine. “Vascular Flora of the Pleasants Peak Area of the Santa Ana Mountains, California.

” Daniel is a graduate student at California State University, Long Beach, studying in Dr. Amanda Fisher’s Lab. “Systematics and conservation of the genus Malacothamnus (Malvaceae). ” Keir is a PhD candidate at California Botanic Garden / Claremont Graduate University where he is working on the systematics of the genus Malacothamnus (the bushmallows).

“In – vitro Cultivation: Fighting Poaching and Extinc tion of Vulnerable Dudleya Taxa” . Kevin Alison is a Master of Conservation and Restoration Science (MCRS) candidate at U. C.

Irvine. “Plant age and precipitation alter water transport traits in Artemisia californica. ” Greg is a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine.

This year’s award funding was used to send deserving local students to the CNPS Conservation Conference in San Jose. See Traveler’s Grants. “Floristic studies in the San Jose Hills of Los Angeles County.

” Asseneth Berbeo is a student at Cal Poly Pomona. Research on “ Artemisia californica gene expression to reduced precipitation. ” “Fusarium infections in native trees of Orange County” .

Shannon is a graduate student from UC Santa Cruz. [Thanks to the review committee: Bob Allen, Jutta Burger, Celia Kutcher, Fred Roberts, and Ron Vanderhoff.] Nicholas (Nick) John Jensen “Flora of the Tehachapi Mountains / Tejon Ranch.

” Nick is pursuing a Ph. D at Claremont Graduate University – Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden “A Vascular Flora of the Kiavah Wilderness in the Scodie Mountains, Southern Sierra Nevada, Kern County. ” Erika is a Master’s of Science student at Claremont Graduate University – Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden “Molecular study of Calochortus subsect.

Weediani” . Graduate student at San Francisco State University. “Macroscopic biodiversity of biological soil crusts in California sage scrub along a climatic gradient.

” California State University, Fullerton “Phacelia Phylogenetics. ” San Francisco State University “Folk Knowledge and Native Plant Gardens. ” California State University, Fullerton Investigation into the pollination and invasive capabilities of Artichoke Thistle.

Laurie is working toward her M. S. in Biology at California State University, Fullerton Comprehensive analysis of temporal loss in Orange County riparian areas.

Peter is a student in environmental studies at California State University, Fullerton. Factors that allow for exotic invasion of Orange County’s coastal sage scrub and grasslands. Keith is a Ph.

D candidate at UC Irvine. The Acorn Grant is awarded to Orange County public schools with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The grant is designed to help fund school gardens that feature California native plants.

Awards range from $150 to $1,000 based on the size of the garden. OCCNPS has designated a total of $3,000 to donate annually for the Acorn Grant. By accepting funding, grant recipients agree to have their native plant school garden featured in OC California Native Plant Society communications.

Applicants should complete the native school garden application below, provide photographs, and a plot plan for the proposed garden. Submit your proposal to acorngrant@occnps. org .

Acorn Grant Application (Downloadable PDF) Proposals will be reviewed by the Acorn Grant Committee, then submitted to the board of OCCNPS for consideration. Please allow up to 60 days for our response to the application. We may also wish to visit the site as part of the review.

California native plant school gardens should be consistent with the mission of CNPS which is to, “ protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy . ” Within that Mission is the Orange County Chapter’s Gardening Objective to, “ build nature gardens in every neighborhood “.

Resources for Native Plant Gardens Helpful resources for creating a California native plant school garden include, CNPS-OC Native Plants Suggested for School Gardens (PDF) CNPS-OC Helpful Tips for Installing California Native Plants (PDF) Calscape.

org (CNPS website) 2025 Sycamore Magnet Academy 2025 Early Education High School 2024 Harbour View Elementary 2024 Community Roots Academy, Laguna Niguel 2023 Sycamore Magnet Academy, Tustin 2022 Tustin Memorial Academy 2022 Santiago Stem Magnet School PTA 2021 Trabuco Hills High School 2021 Linda Vista Elementary 2020 Palisades Elementary 2019 Buena Park Junior High School 2018 Currie Middle School 2017 Buena Park Junior High School 2015 Sierra Vista Elementary PTA 2014 Tustin Memorial Academy 2014 Pendleton Elementary 2012 Imperial Middle School 2011 Huntington Beach High School 2009 Pendleton Elementary 2008 Santiago High School Environment Club 2006 Carden Academy, Mission Viejo 2005 El Modena High School 2004 Finley Elementary School 2004 Pendleton Elementary School 2003 Community Day Middle School 2001 Top of the World School, Laguna Beach 2001 Valencia Elementary School 2001 Clegg Elementary School The Traveler’s Grant is intended to help pay expenses for a deserving student or other interested person to attend a conference, workshop or seminar on California native plant-related topics.

Topics include conservation, botany, horticulture, ethnobotany, invasive plants, etc. Awards of up to $500 are awarded annually and are intended to offset some of the costs of attending these events. Grant awards are presented as a lump sum award and may help cover items such as travel costs, registration fees, and supplies necessary for attending a conference related to native plants.

Examples of conferences/symposiums related to California native plants include: CNPS Conservation Conference, California Invasive Plant Council Annual Conference, Southern California Botanists Annual Symposium, and Society of Ethnobiology Symposium, etc. Applications may be submitted at any time, but are contingent upon available OCCNPS funds. By accepting funding, grant recipients agree to provide: Proof of event registration.

A one to two paragraph synopsis of their experience for the OCCNPS eNewsletter. Applicants should submit a proposal to grants@occnps. org for review.

The proposal should be one- to two-pages long and include the following: 1. Name of conference you hope to attend. 2.

Location and dates of conference. 3. Goals and objective for attending the conference.

4. Estimated cost for attending the conference. 5.

Explanation of financial need. Review Process and Selection Criteria Applications may be submitted at any time, but should be submitted three to four months before the conference begins and well in advance of the registration deadline . The committee will review the application and will notify the applicant as to whether they have been selected for funding within 60 days of receiving the proposal.

Selection will be based on the completeness of the application, the merit of the conference, financial need, and the applicant’s goals for attending the conference. All applications considered for funding must be consistent with the mission of CNPS which is, “protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy.

” 2026 February CNPS CONFERENCE in Riverside: Karen Graham, Jeannie Lee, and Emyle Rogers 2022 October CNPS CONFERENCE in San Jose : Monique Ruelaz, Gabriel Verduzco, Jonathan Frank 2018 February CNPS CONSERVATION CONFERENCE in Los Angeles: Marlee Antill, James Bailey, Rebecca Crow, Hailey Laskey, and Wilnelia Ricart 2005 Cal-IPC Symposium in Chico : Bill Neill The Celia Kutcher Conservation Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization in recognition of their commitment and efforts to conserve Orange County’s native flora and its natural habitats, restore damaged habitats, fight invasive weeds, and/or advocate for environmental protection.

Photo provided by Celia Kutcher family Selection Process: Recipients of the Celia Kutcher Conservation Award will be selected by the Awards Committee on behalf of the board of the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS). Award Presentation: The Celia Kutcher Conservation Award will be presented annually at the January OCCNPS chapter membership meeting and at such times as the Awards Committee may determine.

The award winner will be presented a framed certificate and a $1,000 monetary gift. The monetary gift will be paid to the recipient or to a conservation, environmental, or similar group of the award winner’s choice. If awarded posthumously, the $1,000 award will be paid to a recipient selected in the sole discretion of the OCCNPS Awards Committee.

About Celia Kutcher: Celia Kutcher was an OCCNPS board member from the chapter’s founding in 1982 until her death in 2019. Celia was awarded the CNPS Fellows award in 2019—CNPS’ highest honor—for her work to improve native plant appreciation and preservation.

Celia served as the Conservation Chair for OCCNPS for 23 years, attending government agency meetings, writing letters, and making public comments to preserve Orange County’s native plants and their natural habitats. Celia was also instrumental in virtually all chapter activities, especially outreach to the public and the fight against invasive plants.

In an August 19, 2009 Orange County Register article, Celia said, “I became an environmentalist in the mid-1960’s as awareness mounted that the natural world, which supports human life as we know it, is threatened by human disregard. ” Celia enjoyed working with others to advance environmental awareness in general and awareness of Orange County’s native plant heritage and resources in particular.

Celia generously bequeathed $125,000 to OCCNPS.

Forever Part of the California Landscape Photo credit: Dan Songster $1,000 donated to Calflora $1,000 donated to Audubon Starr Ranch The Horticultural Grant is awarded to a person, group, or non-profit organization in Orange County, California, to install, enhance, or maintain California native plants in an urban garden or public landscape, especially in a demonstration or educational manner.

The goal of this grant is to support public projects that provide opportunities for the community at-large to be educated and inspired by California native plant landscapes.

Examples of appropriate grant submissions might include: new and existing public native plant gardens, experimental native plant gardens, rehabilitating a public garden to include native plants, interpretive signage for a native plant garden, horticultural native plant growing costs, instructive materials for native plant gardening, and support for native plant or native seed giveaways at outreach events.

Each year Up to $500 may be awarded to offset the cost of materials and supplies. Applications may be submitted at any time, but are contingent upon available OCCNPS funds. By accepting funding, grant recipients agree to have their project featured in OCCNPS communications.

We also ask that OCCNPS be included in future communications regarding the garden or project. Applicants should submit a proposal to grants@occnps. org for review.

The proposal should be 2 – 4 pages in length and include the following: Name, address, and contact information. Project Summary including size of the project and, if applicable, a drawing or plot plan of the area you plan to install. Location of the garden or project.

The goals and objectives of the project. The educational benefits or public outreach expected from the project. The long-term maintenance plan for the garden (if applicable).

The estimated budget including total requested funds and other cost estimates. Funding plan for the project. Timeline for the project.

Inventory of California native plants to be installed (if applicable). The name, place, and date of the Outreach Event (if applicable). Review Process and Selection Criteria Proposals will be reviewed by the Horticulture Grant Committee, then submitted to the board of OCCNPS for consideration.

Please allow up to 60 days for our response to the application. We may also choose to visit the site (if applicable) as part of the review.

The native revegetation effort, native plant demonstration, or native garden educational criteria should be consistent with the mission of CNPS which is to, “protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. ” Within that Mission is the Orange County Chapter’s Gardending Objective to, “ build nature gardens in every neighborhood.

” 2023 Blue Heron Park, Newport Beach 2009 Heritage Hill Eagle Scout Project 2007 Santiago Oaks Eagle Scout Project