Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Apr 1, 2026
16 views
Skip to first unread message
CNPS-SCV News
Mar 31, 2026, 11:57:06 PM (12 days ago) Mar 31
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear Friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Upcoming Events
Aging with Grace: The Life of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine
Thursday, Apr 30, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022
The Great Basin bristlecone pine is considered the longest-living organism on earth, with a confirmed living tree that is older than 5,000 years. How is this known? The science of dendrochronology analyzes the growth rings of trees, identifying their age and even informing our understanding of climate patterns. Above 10,000 ft elevation and east of the Sierra Nevada range, nutrient-poor alkaline soil is the only place where bristlecone pines can establish themselves with no other serious competitors. Tim's talk will cover some of the scientific discoveries the bristlecone pine has been part of, how its environment shapes it, and share images that demonstrate the facets of their life and growth that make them one of California’s most iconic native species. His book will be available for sale after the talk.
[2] Field Trips
(a) Mommy and Me wildflower walk Belgatos Park (Los Gatos)
Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 · 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Belgatos Park, 308 Belgatos Lane · Los Gatos, CA
Join Katie Gallagher, botanist, and child for a wildflower walk. We'll stop and look at wildflowers along the way! We will talk about what the flowers are called and which plants are safe for small hands to touch!We'll park and gather at Belgatos Park in Los Gatos and walk the Santa Rosa Trail through Santa Rosa Open Space. There is a play structure for letting little ones free play before and after, and there are restrooms.RSVP is required to join the hike. Space is limited. No drop-ins, please.
(b) Wildflower Hike at Pinnacles National Park (Paicines)
Wednesday, Apr 8, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Bear Gulch Day Use Area, Paicines, CA
Pinnacles National Park protects beautiful rock formations, cliffs and canyons, and hosts a profusion of wildflowers. Join Nabeel Al-Shamma on a wildflower hike. We hope to see shooting stars, phacelia, goldfields, paintbrush, golden yarrow, cobwebby thistle, dudleya, buckbrush and maybe even blazing star.We'll head out from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and go up the High Peaks Trail. We'll take our time going up the steep part. At the top we'll have lunch and enjoy the views. Afterwards we'll return back to the start.This is a long and strenuous day. The hike will be 4 miles but with 1500 ft of elevation change. Plus, it can take a good two hours or more to drive there.National Park Entrance Fee: $30/car (or bring your pass if you have one).CNPS Members only. RSVP is required.
[3] Volunteers Needed
CNPS SCV is run entirely by volunteers. If you have the time, please consider helping keep the events running smoothly.
(a) Docent needed for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour, Saturday April 18.
Saturday April 18, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: near Alum Rock Park, San Jose
We need a docent for the Saturday afternoon shift at the Lawson Miller Estate garden. You can sign up using the link above; in step 3, select the Saturday afternoon shift and mention "Lawson Miller" in the "Additional information" section. Details about the docent role can be found at this page.
(b) Greeters needed for Library Talks
Saturday April 30, 6:30 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Los Altos Library Orchard Room: 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022
We need volunteers to welcome attendees, staff the welcome table and answer questions about our chapter.
[4] 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 Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, Apr 1 and Monday, Apr 6, both at 8:30 am
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.
(b) Edgewood Restoration
Wednesday Apr 1, 5:30 pm
Friday Apr 3, 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.
(c) Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday, Apr 4, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose, to prepare it for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour. 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.
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, Apr 4, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
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. During the winter months, we plant, water, weed, and mulch. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, Apr 4, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
Volunteers meet at the garden on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am, weather permitting, for weeding, watering and other maintenance activities. Occasionally there will be other tasks such as mulching and planting. Community volunteers, including families with children over 6, are always welcome!
[5] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Habitat Protection Guided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge! (Open Space Authority)
Saturday April 4 and Sunday April 5, various hours
Location: Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve – https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAJ4Ki69KcLLf7RRA
Join us for a guided up-and-back wildflower hike this March at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve.Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve features serpentine grasslands which provide refuge for a wide variety of rare plants and wildlife, some of which have teetered on the edge of extinction. On these guided hikes visitors will learn about the native wildflower blooms and the rare Bay Checkerspot Butterfly population found within the preserve!
(b) Wild About Wildflowers Naturalist Walk at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (Grassroots Ecology)
Saturday, April 4, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, 1530 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304
It's wildflower season and we're going wild for them! On this guided walk, participants will discover a number of wildflower species and learn about their special place in our local ecosystems. Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is known to host beautiful displays of California poppies, lupines, blue-eyed grass, and much more. We can't wait to share our appreciation for these gorgeous natural gems! Participants should expect to walk 2.5-3 miles at a slow to moderate pace on gravel and dirt trails, which may be muddy
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages