How to Join the Society for Louisiana Irises or Register for the 2027 Convention

Updated

To join the Society for Louisiana Irises (SLI), use the Join Us entry on louisianas.org; to attend the 2027 Convention, register through the Greater New Orleans Iris Society (GNOIS) at https://louisianairisgnois.com/convention/, since the April 8–11, 2027 event in New Orleans is held jointly with GNOIS and registration is handled there. Both paths are open to the public per the site, but the site does not state membership fees or whether convention registration requires membership — confirm those details with the society before committing.

Joining the Society

The site frames membership as joining "a blooming community of iris conservationists." Since 1941, SLI has worked to preserve and promote Louisiana irises and their hybrids.

  • Where to start: The Join Us link appears in the site's main navigation and in the "Get Involved" section.
  • What you get: Access to cultivation guidance (propagation, growing, special cultivation), publications including the Fleur de Lis archive, news and events, and the species preservation effort.
  • What the site does not specify: dues amounts, membership tiers, or whether a login account is created. Treat any assumption of free membership as unverified.

If your goal is simply to learn before joining, the Iris Cultivation and Resources sections are readable without an account based on the site structure; membership is presented as a way to participate in the community and conservation work rather than a gate to basic information.

Registering for the 2027 Convention

Detail Information
Dates April 8–11, 2027
Location New Orleans
Co-host Greater New Orleans Iris Society (GNOIS)
Registration Via GNOIS: https://louisianairisgnois.com/convention/
Status Registration is described as "now available"

Steps:

  1. Go to the GNOIS convention page linked above.
  2. Follow the registration instructions there — SLI's site directs all registration and further information to GNOIS rather than hosting a form itself.
  3. Check SLI's News & Events → All Activities page for updates and any related programming.

Expected result: a confirmed convention registration through GNOIS. Common snag: looking for a registration form on louisianas.org — it isn't there; the site explicitly points to the GNOIS website.

Other Ways to Get Involved

  • Species Preservation Project: SLI recently launched an effort to document newly identified Louisiana iris species. Members and the public are invited to report sightings, and a custom database with an interactive map supports the work. This is a low-commitment way to contribute without attending events.
  • Events and resources: The News & Events section lists all activities, and Resources collects publications and the Fleur de Lis archive.
  • History: The site notes that the name "Louisiana iris" was first used by John James Audubon — useful context if you're deciding whether the society's conservation mission matches your interests.

Deciding Between the Two

  • Join if you want ongoing community, publications, and a role in conservation or cultivation learning.
  • Register for the convention if you want a specific dated event and hands-on connection with other growers; it does not automatically make you a member based on the site's wording.
  • Do both if you're new to Louisiana irises and want the convention experience plus year-round resources — but verify fees and any membership requirement with SLI or GNOIS first, as the site does not publish them.