Partners

Oregon Flora

Our mission is to increase awareness and knowledge of the plants of Oregon through publication of technically sound, accessible information for diverse audiences.

OregonFlora is working to assemble a comprehensive guide to the ~4,750 vascular plants of Oregon that will be shared through its website, Flora of Oregon books, and their wildflower identification app. Their foundational research supports diverse audiences — citizen scientists, students and gardeners, ecologists and land managers, policy makers, university researchers and leaders — in the critical work of protecting biodiversity, managing natural resources, promoting sustainability, and furthering understanding of our botanical treasures.

OregonFlora is based in the Department of Botany & Plant Pathology (BPP) at Oregon State University. They work closely with the OSU Herbarium and numerous independent organizations to provide a critical botanical resource for anyone interested in the flora of our state. OSU supports their program by providing indirect costs and office space. Grants and charitable donations (including donations from WinterCreek Nursery) fund 100% of the OregonFlora salaries, employee benefits, and direct operating expenses.

Central Oregon Lawn Center

Central Oregon Lawn Center has been active in the development of the High Desert Horticultural Center since we were an infant idea. The Lawn Center provides ecologically responsible products and services for people interested in a healthier and “greener” landscape. They provide practical advice on

City of Bend WaterWise Program

The City of Bend has been developing its WaterWise program for several decades and has recently implemented a system of economic incentives to encourage water savings through using native and dryland adapted plants in landscape design. We have been a partner with the Bend Public Works Department since about 2003 in creating an emphasis on native plants in landscapes for resource conservation and protection of habitat within our urban areas. In partnership with Public Works, we have designed and constructed numerous projects over the past 20 years that demonstrate the economic and social benefits of ecology-based native landscapes. Most recently we are working with the City, local Landscape Architects, and OSU Extension on revising development code and standards that will result in significant water savings in new developments throughout the city. Additionally, we are working closely with the city to provide outstanding educational programs in waterwise and native landscaping to landscape professionals throughout the region. The curriculum we’ve developed for these educational opportunities provide the theory, methods, and techniques to help designers and contractors be successful in implementing the requirements included in the updated development code.

But one of the primary issues in the native plant industry is availability. The supply of native species often cannot keep up with the demand. The High Desert Horticultural Center, with the support of the Bend Public Works Department, will be expanding the capacity to provide local native plants by establishing a large propagation facility to meet current and future demand.