Inventory of the California Native Plant Society Collection
Finding aid created by Manuscript Archivist Elizabeth Phillips.
Department of Special Collections
General Library
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616-5292
Phone: (530) 752-1621
Fax: Fax: (530) 754-5758
Email: speccoll@ucdavis.edu
© 2009
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Creator:
California Native Plant Society
Title: California Native Plant Society Collection
Date (inclusive): 1936-2009
Date (bulk): (bulk 1963-1982)
Extent:
2.4 linear feet
Abstract: Organizational records related to the foundation of the California Native Plant Society. Includes photocopies of correspondence,
membership records, newsletters, notes, news clippings, publications, and photographs. Also includes a small amount of material
related to the Native Plant Society of New Mexico.
Physical location: Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many
are stored offsite.
Repository:
University of California, Davis. General Library. Dept. of Special
Collections.
Davis, California 95616-5292
Collection number: D-376
Language of Material: Collection materials in English
History
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) was founded in California's East Bay region in 1965. It was the first organization
in the United States dedicated to the study and appreciation of native plants, and its work inspired the formation of many
native plant societies across the country and around the world.
The CNPS is a statewide non-profit organization with thirty-two local chapters. The members are both amateurs and professionals,
all of whom share an interest in California's native plants. The aim of the CNPS is to foster "the understanding and appreciation
of California's native plants and how to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture,
and land stewardship."
Sources
California Native Plant Society website: http://www.cnps.org/cnps
Accessed 1/14/09
Scope and Content
The California Native Plant Society Archives spans the years 1936-2009, with the bulk of the material falling between 1963
and 1982. The collection contains material related to the foundation and activities of the California Native Plant Society,
including correspondence, membership records, newsletters, notes, news clippings, publications, and a small set of photographs.
The collection also includes a small amount of material related to the Native Plant Society of New Mexico.
Most of the materials in this collection are photocopies; the originals were donated to New Mexico State University Special
Collections.
Arrangement of the Collection
The Collection is arranged into five series: 1. Correspondence and Notes; 2. Minutes; 3. Publications; 4. Ephemera; 5. Photographs.
Related Collections
The following collections at Special Collections may also be of interest:
D-451, Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation Collection, 1938-2008: This collection contains the records of the Saratoga
Horticultural Research Foundation as well as plant propagation and description records, nursery records, plant photographs
and slides, and plan evaluations. The Foundation was instrumental in introducing new species of shade and ornamental trees
and promoting the use of native western shrubs.
D-086, Harry M. Butterfield Papers, 1860-1970: This collection contains manuscripts, research material, and photographs related
to the history of ornamental plants in California.
O-009, Nursery and Seed Catalog Collection, 1856-: This collection contains catalogs of trees, fruits, vegetables, grains,
flowers, and gardening equipment introduced to the public from 1856 to the present.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
California Native Plant Society--Archives.
Horticulture--California.
Native plant gardening--California.
Native plant gardening--New Mexico.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Processing Information
Elizabeth Phillips, Manuscript Archivist, processed the collection and created the finding aid.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mary Ann Montague, 2002 and 2004.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], California Native Plant Society Collection, D-376, Department of Special Collections, General
Library, University of California, Davis.
Publication Rights
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to
publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, University of California, Library,
Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Series 1
Correspondence and Notes
1961-2009
Physical Description:
0.9 linear feet
Scope and Content Note
Includes extensive correspondence between Mary Wohlers, a founding member of the California Native Plant Society, and other
members as well as related correspondence with her family and friends. Also includes Wohlers' notes. Arranged chronologically.
Box/Folder 1:1
History of California Native Plant Society
2009
Box/Folder 1:2-3:4
Correspondence and Notes
1961-1966
Series 2
Minutes
1962-1968
Physical Description:
5 folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes minutes of the Friends of the Tilden Park Botanic Garden, the East Bay Regional Park District, the California Horticultural
Society, the California Native Plant Society, and the Native Plant Society of New Mexico. Arranged chronologically.
Box/Folder 3:5
Friends of the Tilden Park Botanical Garden
1962-1964
Box/Folder 5:1
East Bay Regional Park District
1965
Box/Folder 3:6
California Horticultural Society
1964-1965
Box/Folder 3:7-3:8
California Native Plant Society
1965-1967
Box/Folder 3:9
California Native Plant Society: Chapter Affairs
1967
Box/Folder 3:10
California Native Plant Society: Membership List
1968
Box/Folder 3:11
Native Plant Society of New Mexico
1976-1983
Series 3
Publications
1959-1990
Physical Description:
0.5 linear feet
Scope and Content Note
Arranged in two subseries: California Native Plant Society; and General Publications.
Series 3.1
California Native Plant Society
1965-1990
Physical Description:
6 folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes newsletters, fliers,
The Four Seasons, and one issue of the Society's journal. Arranged alphabetically.
Box/Folder 3:12-3:13
California Native Plant Society Newsletter
1965-1968
1982
Box/Folder 3:14
California Native Plant Society Newsletter: Local Chapters
1966
Box/Folder 4:1
The Four Seasons
1965 November
Box/Folder 4:2
Fremontia, vol.18:no.4
1990 October
Series 3.2
General Publications
1959-1970
Physical Description:
0.4 linear feet
Scope and Content Note
Includes articles and selections from books published by entities other than the California Native Plant Society. Arranged
alphabetically.
Box/Folder 4:3
Brown, Edmund. "How to Put the States Back in Business."
Harper's
1964 September
Box/Folder 4:4
California Agriculture, vol.28:no.1
1974 January
Box/Folder 4:5
California Journal of Horticulture, vol.31:no.3
1970 July
Box/Folder 4:6
Crosby, Donald. Writings on Chemical Ecology
1969-1981
Box/Folder 4:7
Edgewood Botanic Garden. "Guide List of Plants."
1965
Box/Folder 4:8
Hansen, C.J. and H.T. Hartmann.
Propagation of Temperate-Zone Fruit Plants.
1966
Scope and Content Note
California Agricultural Experiment Station, Circular 471 Revised.
Box/Folder 4:9
Herbert, Van. "Some Psychological Aspects of Driving Through Sacramento."
undated
Box/Folder 4:10
IMPACT. Albequerque Journal Magazine, vol.5:no.33
1982
Box/Folder 4:11
Kohl Jr., Henry. "Research Needs for the Use of Environmental Plants."
1973
Box/Folder 4:12
National Audobon Society. "Southwest Report."
1982
Box/Folder 4:13
Native Plant Society of New Mexico Newsletter
1982
Box/Folder 4:14
Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation.
News and Notes
1976
Box/Folder 4:15
Smith, Arthur. "To Keep This Forest Primeval."
Pacific Discovery, vol.13:no.2
1960 March-April
Box/Folder 4:16
Smoker, Sam. "Preliminary Heather Pond and Nature Area Master Plan"
undated
Box/Folder 4:17
Walker, Mary M. "Botanical Clubs and Native Plant Societies of the United States"
1990
Box/Folder 4:18
Wyman, Donald.
The Arboretums and Botanical Gardens of North America. Cambridge: Harvard University, 1959.
1959
Series 4
Ephemera
1936-1992
Physical Description:
0.2 linear feet
Scope and Content Note
Includes news clippings, membership records, letterhead, a plant price list, and a volume authored by Agnes Morely Cleaveland.
Arranged alphabetically.
Box/Folder 5:2
Cleaveland, Agnes Morely.
American Primer. Berkeley: Lederer, Street, and Zeus.
1936
Scope and Content Note
Wife of Newton Cleaveland, Yuba Mining and Manufacturing, and mother of Mary Wohlers. Two copies.
Box/Folder 5:4
The Montclarion, vol.19:no.21
1963 February 20
Box 6
Membership Records
undated
Scope and Content Note
Card file of charter members and original sponsors.
Box/Folder 5:6
Oakland Tribune:California - The Sunday Tribune Home Magazine
1966 April 24
Box/Folder 5:8
Sacramento Bee: California Life
1976 December 4
Box/Folder 5:9
Scrapbook
1963-1992
Scope and Content Note
News clippings
Box/Folder 5:10
Sign
undated
Scope and Content Note
Photocopy of fundraising sign
Series 5
Photographs
1963-1982
Physical Description:
5 folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes images of members of the California Native Plant Society, flood damage, and New Mexico. Images are mainly photocopies
of prints. Arranged alphabetically.
Box/Folder 5:11
Botanic Garden (unidentified)
undated
Scope and Content Note
Photocopy
Box/Folder 5:12
Members of California Native Plant Society at Meeting
1967
Scope and Content Note
Two digital prints on paper of Mary Wohlers, G. Ledyard Stebbins, Susan Frugé, and Leonora Stromaier.
Box/Folder 5:13
New Mexico?
1982
Scope and Content Note
8 photocopies
Box/Folder 5:14
Roof, Jim
1967
Scope and Content Note
1 photographic print
Box/Folder 5:15
Jim Roof Inspecting Flood Damage
1963
Scope and Content Note
19 photocopies
