The Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee

Founded in 1983, the Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee (WPPC) is an all volunteer, non-profit organization. The WPPC is dedicated to promoting the use of native plants in the landscape through preservation, education and propagation. We fulfill this purpose through a number of programs.

Our programs include the Natural Landscape Seminar, the Native Plant Sale, A Natural Garden in Your Yard (a mentoring program), Outdoor Classroom grants and Walks on the Wild Side (native plant garden walks).  Funds raised through the seminar and the annual plant sale are used to support our outreach and education efforts.

Our popular Natural Landscape Seminar in February has provided attendees opportunities to hear local, regional and national speakers on topics such as  native plants, wildlife, nature photography, garden design and more.

Our Annual Native Plant Sale is held every year on the first Sunday in May. It began in the early 1980’s on the steps of the old McHenry County Courthouse and was the first native plant sale in the region. Over the years it has gained a reputation as an excellent source for plants native to northern Illinois prairies, savannahs, woodlands and wetlands.

The Natural Garden in Your Yard (NGYY) program offers homeowners a personal mentor to assist in the design of a small native plant garden in their yard. Since NGYY began in 2005, we have assisted more than 225 homeowners.

Another of our signature programs, Outdoor Classroom Grants, annually offers six different schools plants for a native outdoor classroom.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC), which has similar goals and objectives, serves as the Fiscal Sponsor of the WPPC allowing individuals to make tax-free donations to us.

Advocates for Open Space

The WPPC advocates for the conservation of open space, natural landscapes, wildlife habitat, scenic resources and water in McHenry County and neighboring areas. We support a number of like-minded organizations in McHenry County and the Chicago Region. They include The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, McHenry County Conservation District, The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Monarch Watch, Chicago Living Corridors and the publication of Flora of the Chicago Region.

In 2017 we were excited to be named the first recipient of the Tamarack Award, presented by the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, in recognition of the support the WPPC provided to the development of the first National Wildlife Refuge in the Chicago area.

What People Say About Us

"The WPPC is a wealth of practical knowledge and hands-on support of native vegetation and gardening using native species."  

Judy Wooderson

"WPPC does a first rate job of keeping our region informed about the importance of using native plants to sustain our local ecosystems and biodiversity.  Their outstanding plant sale provides the opportunity to buy native plants for a diversity of habitats. The plants provided are healthy and appropriate for our local plant communities".    

June and Steve Keibler

"WPPC is a wonderful group of dedicated gardeners with a common goal of planting native species of flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs. They are dedicated to teaching new members how to plan, plant and design gardens for the purpose of providing food/nectar for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and aiding survival of monarch butterflies."    

Dee Budelier