Illinois may not strike people as a diverse ecosystem, but this state actually has a wealth of native species that create surprisingly different environments. In southern Illinois, for example, you’ll fi nd cypress swamps that look like they belong in the Everglades – minus the alligators, of course. There are also tall beech-maple forests with sparse undergrowth in the east, wetlands in the north and west, and prairies across central Illinois. The Illinois Native Plant Society is dedicated to helping the public appreciate and conserve the state’s diverse native fl ora. To that end, the Central Chapter of the INPS is giving out grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 for individuals and groups which support native plant projects in central Illinois. Normally, the grants are capped at $1,000, so this special grant period is an opportunity for the group to help fund more ambitious projects. The Central Chapter has given out $35,000 so far in its 14 previous years of grant-making. Applications are due Jan. 15, 2016. For more information, email EdieSternberg@aol.com or visit ill-inps.org.