The Bay Area Carnivorous Plant Society (BACPS) started out back in 1988 as an informal get-together between friends and enthusiasts of carnivorous plants. Chuck Powell II, Peter D’Amato, Joe Mazrimas and Judith Finn held meetings in their homes, California Carnivores, and at UC Botanical Garden. By 1992, Wayland Lee created the first BACPS logo, Geoff Wong drafted the first newsletter, BACPS held its first formal meeting, the first bylaws were created, and a schedule was established to hold four seasonal meetings annually.

Later that same year and with 60 members in attendance, the board was created and Carl Wong was elected the first President, with Chuck Powell as Vice President, Larry Logoteta as Secretary, and Joe Mazrimas as Treasurer. And in 1998, Peter D’Amato wrote the quintessential carnivorous plant grower’s guide, The Savage Garden, which to this day, inspires the many luminaries who have and will eventually cultivate, research, explore, and document some of the most fascinating members of the plant kingdom.