Reflecting on the 2026 California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Conference

written by 2025 Brave Heart Fellow Giselle Alvarez (Purépecha & Miwuk)

I had the opportunity to attend the triennial CNPS (California Native Plant Society) Conference from February 5-7, 2026 in Riverside, CA. The theme for 2026 was Growing the Movement: Together for Native Plants, which featured a great range of sessions and I was very excited to be in community with people who were so passionate about Native plants and pollinators. 

A lot of the material was completely new to me, such as geospatial approaches to plant monitoring; intersections of policy, partnerships and industry alignment to scale Native plant and seed use across California; and more. I really appreciated being able to learn this new material directly from the experts in their field, but also felt incredibly represented to see other Indigenous presenters at the conference. 

To discuss the topics of intersectionality, traditional knowledge and tribal sovereignty in this space was inspiring. A few of my favorite sessions included: ‘Como se Llama This Plant?:  How to Talk about California Native Plants to the No Sabos, the Sabo Poquito’s, and the Señoras,’ ‘Restoring the Land, Restoring Ourselves: Native Plant Work Behind and Beyond Prison Walls‘ and ‘Growing Relationality: Rethinking Education Through Land-Based Learning.’ I also joined the ‘California Bee Society,’ which had a table with displays and books on the many bee species that are only found in California!

I had the honor of serving as the session chair for ‘Advocacy Lessons from Gen Z,‘ which amplified the stories of young adults leveraging their voices and mobilizing their peers for meaningful impact in the conservation movement. As a first-generation student, being in very academic spaces can be a bit daunting. My knowledge of plants comes from my mother and grandmother; it is an ancestral seed, not learned through textbooks. I don’t know all the scientific names of plants, but I know how they can help heal. 

After my presentation, many participants echoed similar experiences and shared their own stories. Others appreciated hearing from a perspective they had not heard before. Something surprising, but very validating, was people’s interest in SageWell, an app I am developing which will combine language, plant knowledge and wellness guidance. Participants were curious about connecting to the land in a more meaningful way, because for many they spoke of how much nature had helped them heal in their own lives, but didn’t have a name for it. 

The CNPS Conference gave me a renewed sense of direction, more tools to meaningfully connect and engage with the community, as well as a network of experts and professionals to reach out to.