Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - January 2, 2024

[CNPS-SCV News]

Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:

[1] Field Trip Planning Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, January 4, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMoc-uqqTkvEtcrPKyPx8VrQ66Xx79xFllo

Please join us for our 2024 Field Trip Planning Meeting. The goal is to identify leaders and trips with a focus on the first half of 2024 and perhaps into the summer. We'll discuss both local and away trips. Please bring the list of trips that you would like to lead, and be prepared to encourage others with trips you'd like to attend.
 
Leaders with all levels of plant experience are encouraged. One does not need to be a botanist or a plant expert to lead. Co-leaders, sweeps and folks interested in organizing and assisting with trips are all welcome. To attend, please register via the link above.
 
All members are welcome to join in the discussion. For further information, email Nabeel at nabeel4cnps @ gmail.com.

[2] Edgewood Restoration
Friday, January 5, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/3280/-/friday-edgewood-restoration

Contact Friday leader Paul Heiple at weed-warriors-coord @ friendsofedgewood.org

The Edgewood Weed Warriors operate under a permit issued to the Friends of Edgewood. They meet regularly to remove invasive plants at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, thereby allowing for greater biodiversity, natural habitats, and those beautiful wildflower displays that everyone enjoys.

The Weed Warriors normally meet at 9:00 AM on Friday throughout the year and on Wednesday afternoons during daylight savings time. Special sessions may be added with notice given at the beginning of the month.

Notice of the meeting location and time for each session is sent to the Weed Warrior email group each week - do not go to the park and expect to find the weeding group if you are not on the email list. If you wish to be added to the Weed Warriors email, contact the Weed Warrior program coordinator, Paul Heiple, at weed-warriors-coord @ friendsofedgewood.org.

New weeders must fill out forms before they come out. Contact vc @ friendsofedgewood.org for the form to fill out.

Sturdy gloves are recommended; you might also want to bring sunscreen, water, a hat, layered clothing and wear long sleeves/pants. Location varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices.

[3] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham
Saturday, January 6, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/297996390/

VENUE: Native Garden Parking Lot
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose. During the summer months, we remove invasives throughout the park. Meeting place may change from one week to the next.

First timers: please follow directions in this meetup to get to the native garden. It is a very large park (200 acres) with two entrances. You want to head to the Google map pin for "Lake Cunningham Native Garden".

Wear a hat, gloves, and sturdy garden shoes. Bring plenty of fluids and hydrate often. We start with a 5-minute orientation, then walk to the site, so please be on time.

First-timers: Bring a signed waiver form available at https://lakecunninghamnativegarden.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/2021-volunteer-service-agreement-adoptapark-version.pdf

Workdays are sometimes rescheduled or canceled. Always RSVP to confirm, and check the latest updates Friday night. If you can't make it, please change your RSVP so we know and wait-listers get a chance.

[4] Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday, January 6, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Cataldi Park, 2900 Cataldi Dr, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/298246124/

Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park. We are planting and maintaining native plants in a 1/4 acre area of the park off Bethany Ave. Over 600 plants have been planted so far.

Wear a hat and garden shoes and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Work gloves will be provided.

First-timers: Please bring a signed waiver form available at https://lakecunninghamnativegarden.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/2021-volunteer-service-agreement-adoptapark-version.pdf

Workdays are sometimes rescheduled or canceled. Always RSVP to confirm and check the latest updates Friday night. If you can't make it, please change your RSVP so we know and wait-listers get a chance.

[5] Request for White Sage cuttings and plants
This is a request for the native plant gardening community. If anyone plans to prune their White Sage or has plants looking for a new home, members of the San Jose Calpulli Tonalehqueh community would be very grateful to have cuttings or plants. Please email Radhika at cnpsradhika @ gmail.com to coordinate pickup by members of the community.

[6] The Year In Pictures: Your best nature photos of 2023
Friday, January 12, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Los Altos Library (Orchard Room), 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/297686195/

Our CNPS Chapter has an annual tradition: a winter celebration of the beauty and diversity of native plant habitats and their denizens, as captured in photographs by you. This year, we will meet in person to view photos of notable plant and nature excursions during the previous year. All are welcome.

Join us early for our social hour, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM, to mingle with like-minded nature enthusiasts. The main program starts at 7:00 PM.

If you have memorable photos to share – whether of wildflower displays in the spring or native flora/fauna later in the year – sign up for a slot at the following link by Friday, January 7:
www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49A9A729AAFD0-46925254-theyear#

Slots are 15 minutes each, so please plan your picture count and commentary accordingly. Presenters will receive a "one minute remaining" alert. Presenters will be asked to submit their photos/PowerPoint slides ahead of time via cloud storage. Slides will be downloaded to the presentation laptop in advance of the meeting.

[7] Greeters needed for library talk
Thursday, January 25, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Location: Cupertino Library Program Room (2nd floor), 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-library#/

Lynne Trulio will be speaking at the Cupertino library on California biodiversity. We need two greeters for this event.

Worry not, if you are new to doing this! You will have an experienced volunteer with you to assist you. The responsibilities of the greeters are - staff the welcome table and answer basic questions about CNPS, if attendees have any. Tables, chairs and CNPS literature will be provided.
Please sign up on the link above if interested. Questions? Contact Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com.

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[8] Habitat Restoration: French Broom Removal - by Midpen
Thursday, January 4, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Old Bridge Ridge, Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=872068

Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive French broom at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers! 

[9] Community Planting - by Our City Forest and Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
Saturday, January 6, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Glenburry Way and Thornwood Drive, San Jose
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-planting-with-ocf-and-kccb-at-santa-teresa-blvd-tickets-764046181697

Help plant trees in San Jose and surrounding areas.Learn how to properly plant a tree to ensure the best chance for a healthy life. Please show up on time for our tree planting demonstration at the beginning of the event to learn how to plant a tree properly.

Meeting location: Meet us at the intersection of Glenburry Way and Thornwood Drive. Street parking is available on Glenburry Way.

[10] Habitat Restoration: French Broom Removal - by Midpen
Saturday, January 6, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Cathedral Oaks, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=872911

Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive French broom at Cathedral Oaks, a closed area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers! 

[11] Exploring Calscape, the tool for California Native Gardeners
Monday, January 8, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
https://www.cnps.org/event/exploring-calscape-the-tool-for-california-native-gardeners-speaker-mike-azevido

Calscape is a wonderful tool that allows Californians to learn what plants are native to their neighborhood. This website gives you a list of trees, shrubs, annuals, etc. that had a historical presence around your town. Calscape tells you all about the plants; their water needs, soil preferences, ease of growth and much more. You can find out what nearby nurseries carry each plant and what butterflies and moths host off of them. This website is the answer to the conundrum of just a few years ago where native plant novices had no idea where to go for native plants or information about them.

Join naturalist Mike Azevedo as we explore the many different features of this amazing website.

Questions?  Do not reply to this email - instead, please direct your questions to: info @ cnps-scv.org.

For more information about chapter activities, be sure to check the latest Blazing Star and our chapter website - cnps-scv.org. We also recommend joining our Meetup group to receive a notification when we schedule new activities, including field trips.  Not a member of CNPS yet? Join here.

California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter
Find us on the web at cnps-scv.org, and follow us on Facebook, Meetup, and Instagram.