Native Plant Society announces kickoff to 2026-’27 public programs

September 17, 2026

By Reader Staff

Wrapping up a busy summer in the Native Plant Arboretum, members of the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society will hold the first of their 2026-’27 public programs on Saturday, Sept. 19, with a presentation from Phillip Cernera featuring the Tar Creek Apprenticeship Program.

A trained fisheries biologist, Cernera will introduce attendees to the hands-on experience offered by the TCAP, which is designed to reconnect tribal youth to natural resources and the cultural practices derived from them.

Cernera’s background includes more than 45 years as an environmental advocate for native tribes. As the managing director of the Lake Management Department for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, he worked to reaffirm the tribe’s ownership of the lake, brought a natural resource damage lawsuit against mining companies in the Silver Valley and litigated tribal water rights.

After leaving that role with the tribe, Cernera moved to Costa Rica while working as a private contractor for the seven tribes affected by the tri-state mining district of Tar Creek, an Oklahoma mining superfund site. More recently, he returned to North Idaho where he is developing and teaching the one-month TCAP curriculum for tribal youth 17-21 years of age, offering them a pathway to working in natural resources restoration.

Cernera’s presentation will begin at 10 a.m. in the Sandpoint Community Hall (204 S. First Ave.). Coffee, tea and treats will be served starting at 9:30 a.m.

KNPS programs are free, open to the public and are co-sponsored by Sandpoint Parks and Recreation with support from the East Bonner County Library District.