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Champions of NPI

Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate, dedicated individuals who bring experience and expertise to the Native Plant Initiative. Each member of our board plays a vital role in guiding our organization’s mission to promote the use of native plants, support biodiversity, and educate our community on native plants and gardening practices. With diverse backgrounds in horticulture, conservation, education, and business, our board members work collaboratively to shape the strategic vision of NPI and ensure our programs and initiatives have a lasting, positive impact. Get to know the leaders who are driving our mission forward and learn more about their commitment to creating a greener, healthier environment for all. Board elections take place each year in November.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Tammany Baumgerten

President through 2025

Tammany Baumgarten is the founding President of NPI, serving since its inception in 2019. She is a horticulturist and the owner-operator of BaumGardens, a landscape design firm in New Orleans specializing in native and habitat gardens.  She is a New Orleans Master Gardener and also serves on the board of the Louisiana Native Plant Society where she co-founded the Louisiana Certified Habitat program. Tammany oversees seed collection, packing, and distribution, heads NPI administration of the Louisiana Certified Habitat Program, developed and organizes the Native Plant Giveaway Program, and oversees the general operation and government of NPI and the Board of Directors.

Favorite Native Plant: Swamp Leatherflower, Clematis crispa

Dexter Ellis

Vice President

Dexter Ellis is a science communicator with a background in ecology, environmental science, and storytelling. He is passionate about sharing the world of native plants with others to protect and create more biodiverse habitats. As part of the NPI board, Dexter assists in grant-writing, organizing membership activities, merch development, and plant giveaways. Additionally, he also runs social media communications where he is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives to inspire environmental stewardship.

Favorite Native Plant: Clasping Coneflower, Dracopis amplexicaulis

Michele Mire

Treasurer through 2025

Michele is a native plant enthusiast and partner in a small CPA firm. Her favorite plant is Solidago sempervirens, Seaside Goldenrod – the seeds came from a fellow enthusiast at the initial meeting of NPI.  From a wad of puff in my pocket to the most visited plant in my garden.  Michele is also a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and enjoys all aspects of the local ecosystem. 

Favorite Native Plant: Seaside Goldenrod, Solidago sempervirens

Debbie de la Houssaye

Secretary through 2025

Debbie de la Houssaye worked as an artistic attaché in New Orleans for the Government of France, has a degree in social work, and serves on the board of the New Orleans Jazz Celebration (NOJC). She is an avid gardener at home and volunteers for  Longue Vue House and Gardens as well. As Secretary, Debbie records board meetings but also helps as needed with membership activities and other events like native plant giveaways and tabling around town.

Favorite Native Plant: Lemon beebalm, Monarda citriodora

Matt Davis

Director through 2025

Matt Davis brings a passionate interest in elevating local flora above the status quo. Additionally, his history in the editing booth means he brings an almost "storyboard view" approach to initiatives for the NPI. Matt assists in communications and works on creative ways to engage our membership.

Favorite Native Plant: Louisiana Devil's Claw, Proboscidea louisianica

Max Bowen-Koonse

Director through 2025

Max Bowen-Koonse works as a Botanical Horticulturist at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens while making time for personal landscaping projects. They aim to improve the urban ecosystem not just through native plants, but also by selecting more sustainable hardscape materials. As an NPI Board Member, they hope to make native garden design more exciting and accessible to timid beginners and skeptical landscape professionals. They are eager to point any aspiring horticulturists in the right direction and hope to encourage more people, especially women and LGBTQ people, to pursue green jobs.

Favorite Native Plant: Possumhaw, Ilex decidua

Helen Sierminski

Director through 2025

Helen has lived in New Orleans since 2017 and has fallen in love with the beautiful trees and gardens that populate the city. She runs an Instagram page called Nola Sidewalk Gardens and Forests, which is a homage to these trees and gardens. She also guides Urban Nature Walks through the neighborhoods of New Orleans. This inspired her to pursue her Master Naturalist certification. She has her Bachelor’s and her Master’s degrees in Sociology, as well as a history of management and social media curation. She maintains her own nature-based spiritual practice as The Crimson Cadaveress, offering Tarot and Astrology Readings that draw on nature symbolism. She is a practicing Augur, which is a form of bird divination which dates back to Etruscan times. She believes strongly that everything is connected, knowing that native plants support native bird and insect populations that in turn support healthy ecosystems for us all. 

Favorite Native Plant: Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum

Support native plants and local ecosystems.

Join Us in Making a Difference

As an NPI member, you’ll help restore native landscapes, access exclusive resources, and connect with a like-minded community. Join us today and make a lasting impact!

Become an NPI Member

NPI’s Diversity Statement

The Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. We recognize that the success of our mission depends on the full participation of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. We will continually work to cultivate an inclusive environment that respects diversity and is free from discrimination based on age, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, and disability. Membership is open to anyone with a sincere interest in our mission. View our corporate bylaws here.

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