Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Oct 28, 2025
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CNPS-SCV News
Oct 28, 2025, 6:18:31 PM (11 days ago) Oct 28
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Important Near-Future Events
Tuesday Oct 28, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center (Raptor Suite on the 1st floor), 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center (Raptor Suite on the 1st floor), 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto
This session, the topic will be ceanothus. We’ll examine plant samples and material as well as graphics, so everyone will learn how to identify these beautiful plants.
Native Plant ID is a Chapter group that works together to learn plant identification using botanical keys and other resources. Join us as we look at plant samples collected from local gardens and practice methods of identifying the native plants of our region. Bring in plant samples if you have some from a property where you have permission to collect or just come and work with the materials provided. We use the current edition of The Jepson Manual as well as other plant guides, and we have copies to share. If you have them, bring your own favorite guide and a hand lens. Microscopes will also be available. The group meets at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Janet Hoffmann at ja...@cnps-scv.org.
Native Plant ID is a Chapter group that works together to learn plant identification using botanical keys and other resources. Join us as we look at plant samples collected from local gardens and practice methods of identifying the native plants of our region. Bring in plant samples if you have some from a property where you have permission to collect or just come and work with the materials provided. We use the current edition of The Jepson Manual as well as other plant guides, and we have copies to share. If you have them, bring your own favorite guide and a hand lens. Microscopes will also be available. The group meets at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Janet Hoffmann at ja...@cnps-scv.org.
(b) Annual Chapter Potluck
Saturday, Nov 1, 5:45 pm
Location: Shoup Park Garden House - 400 University Ave, Los Altos
Saturday, Nov 1, 5:45 pm
Location: Shoup Park Garden House - 400 University Ave, Los Altos
Our annual potluck is coming up, and all members are ecouraged to join us at this fun, social evening to celebrate the Chapter’s yearly achievements. Members are encouraged to bring guests. As always, this popular dinner potluck will be held at the Shoup Garden House in Los Altos. Bring your favorite dish and/or dessert to share with everyone. You are also welcome to bring a bottle of wine or other beverages.
The Brenda Butner Lecture will feature the fabulous speaker, Michael Uhler. Michael is the curator and horticulturist of the Sierra Nevada section at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Regional Park. He will talk about his search for alpine plants for the Garden in the upper elevations of the Sierra Nevada over the summer. Michael's search took him to a previously unvouchered area, so be sure to attend to see what he found.
This is a great opportunity to get together with old and new friends, Chapter leadership and other volunteers. The evening includes a fun silent auction, shopping for books and the opportunity to purchase the new t-shirt featuring our chapter logo. An RSVP is not required, but if you know that you are coming, we would appreciate hearing from you in advance, so we can plan accordingly. You can RSVP and sign up to help with setup or cleanup here: CNPS SCV Potluck Signup A special treat for those of you who help with setup: Jeff and Andrew of the Magic Jazz Band will play piano, violin and sing during potluck setup. Fun fact: Jeff and Andrew also perform habitat stewardship at rural parts of the Stanford campus.
Book and Silent Auction Donations Welcome! Is it time to clean out your library? We welcome your used books to sell at our potluck and other events. We’re looking for native plant field guides, floras, gardening books, hiking guides and natural history books. For the potluck silent auction, we also welcome art, textiles and other nice items. Contact Judy Fenerty at (ju...@fenerty.com) to arrange pick-up/drop-off.
Please bring your own plates, utensils and glasses, and a bag to carry back the used dishes. Setup starts at 4:30 PM, and dinner starts at 5:45. We expect the talk to start around 7pm. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
The Brenda Butner Lecture will feature the fabulous speaker, Michael Uhler. Michael is the curator and horticulturist of the Sierra Nevada section at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Regional Park. He will talk about his search for alpine plants for the Garden in the upper elevations of the Sierra Nevada over the summer. Michael's search took him to a previously unvouchered area, so be sure to attend to see what he found.
This is a great opportunity to get together with old and new friends, Chapter leadership and other volunteers. The evening includes a fun silent auction, shopping for books and the opportunity to purchase the new t-shirt featuring our chapter logo. An RSVP is not required, but if you know that you are coming, we would appreciate hearing from you in advance, so we can plan accordingly. You can RSVP and sign up to help with setup or cleanup here: CNPS SCV Potluck Signup A special treat for those of you who help with setup: Jeff and Andrew of the Magic Jazz Band will play piano, violin and sing during potluck setup. Fun fact: Jeff and Andrew also perform habitat stewardship at rural parts of the Stanford campus.
Book and Silent Auction Donations Welcome! Is it time to clean out your library? We welcome your used books to sell at our potluck and other events. We’re looking for native plant field guides, floras, gardening books, hiking guides and natural history books. For the potluck silent auction, we also welcome art, textiles and other nice items. Contact Judy Fenerty at (ju...@fenerty.com) to arrange pick-up/drop-off.
Please bring your own plates, utensils and glasses, and a bag to carry back the used dishes. Setup starts at 4:30 PM, and dinner starts at 5:45. We expect the talk to start around 7pm. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
[2] Looking for volunteers
CNPS SCV is a volunteer run organization looking for a few people to strengthen the team.
(a) Hospitality Chair
Our long-time, wonderful Hospitality Chair Vicki Silvas-Young has stepped down. We are looking for a new Hospitality Chair to oversee food and beverage arrangements at chapter events. Chapter events include the three larger events which are the Wildflower Show in April, the Fall Plant Sale in October and the potluck in November. There may be other smaller events throughout the year, like the mailing party that's usually held in April. All of these events are staffed by volunteers and we provide food and drinks to make the experience more inviting.
Your main tasks include shopping for food and drinks, and directed volunteers with set up before events and clean up afterwards. If you have organized food for large gatherings before, then you already have what it takes! You do not need to be experienced in hospitality to volunteer for this role, and you will have other chapter volunteers assisting you throughout the events.
If you are interested, please email Janet Hoffman (ja...@hoffmann.net) or Toni Gregorio-Bunch(tidyt...@gmail.com). Also, please sign up for "Hospitality Help" at our upcoming potluck on November 1 to get an idea of what is involved: www.cnps-scv.org/potluck-signup
Your main tasks include shopping for food and drinks, and directed volunteers with set up before events and clean up afterwards. If you have organized food for large gatherings before, then you already have what it takes! You do not need to be experienced in hospitality to volunteer for this role, and you will have other chapter volunteers assisting you throughout the events.
If you are interested, please email Janet Hoffman (ja...@hoffmann.net) or Toni Gregorio-Bunch(tidyt...@gmail.com). Also, please sign up for "Hospitality Help" at our upcoming potluck on November 1 to get an idea of what is involved: www.cnps-scv.org/potluck-signup
(b) CNPS Santa Clara Valley Nursery
The long-time management and supervisory team at the CNPS native plant nursery is looking for members to take over nursery operations. We need people, preferably with botanical or horticultural experience to oversee and direct the nursery. We are looking for dedicated volunteers who would be willing to commit to at least 2 years to keep the nursery running smoothly. The current team plans to wind down their involvement and work with replacements to assure a smooth transition next fall.
Nursery operation tasks include scheduling and oversight of plant production tasks, overseeing the maintenance of plants in the nursery and in the demonstration garden, managing upkeep of the nursery facilities, and organizing plant sales on a regular basis. Thank you to those of you who have already stepped forward. If you would like to join them and help save the nursery or just have questions, please contact Janet Hoffmann, Nursery Leadership Development Committee Lead at ja...@cnps-scv.org.
Nursery operation tasks include scheduling and oversight of plant production tasks, overseeing the maintenance of plants in the nursery and in the demonstration garden, managing upkeep of the nursery facilities, and organizing plant sales on a regular basis. Thank you to those of you who have already stepped forward. If you would like to join them and help save the nursery or just have questions, please contact Janet Hoffmann, Nursery Leadership Development Committee Lead at ja...@cnps-scv.org.
[3] Chapter Restoration Activities
RSVP is required for all Chapter restoration activities, along with signed waiver forms. Please see the individual listings for details.
(a) Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday Nov 1, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose. We are planting and maintaining native plants in a 1/2-acre area of the park off Bethany Ave. Activities include planting, pruning, sheet mulching, irrigation setup and general maintenance.
(b) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday Nov 1, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose.
(c) Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday Oct 31, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve (Redwood City)
Help restore habitat at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, known for fabulous wildflowers and amazing diversity. Weeders see far more than weeds: we get to be up close to the native plants, some of which are seen only by weeders. To participate, join the email list and sign the electronic volunteer agreement, by sending an email to weed-warr...@friendsofedgewood.org.
(d) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday Oct 29 and Monday Nov 3, both at 8:30 am
Location: Alum Rock Park, San Jose (meeting spot varies; email contact provided on page)
Location: Alum Rock Park, San Jose (meeting spot varies; email contact provided on page)
Come help us weed non-native, invasive plants at this natural gem of San Jose. Our habitat restoration efforts allow the native plants to “come to light.” Forms and reservations are required to volunteer. For the Monday/Wednesday workdays, the meeting spot varies, so please contact Todd Hayes at ultra...@gmail.com for more information and instructions on where to park.
[4] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Hellyer County Park BioBlitz by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and Peninsula Open Space Trust
Sunday Nov 2, 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Hellyer Park - Cottonwood Lake Entrance - 996 Hellyer Ave
Location: Hellyer Park - Cottonwood Lake Entrance - 996 Hellyer Ave
Parks are amazing and wonderful green spaces full of living things. Just using your phone, help us discover them!
A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live in a place.
Located in the heart of San Jose, the park we will be at is a safe haven for many species of plants and animals right along Coyote Creek. Join Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and partners in cataloging and documenting all of the wildlife that reside there. We will have experts in various fields to help guide participants through all the cool plants and wildlife.
A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live in a place.
Located in the heart of San Jose, the park we will be at is a safe haven for many species of plants and animals right along Coyote Creek. Join Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and partners in cataloging and documenting all of the wildlife that reside there. We will have experts in various fields to help guide participants through all the cool plants and wildlife.
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