Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Dec 2, 2025
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CNPS-SCV News
Dec 3, 2025, 3:42:35 AM (2 days ago) Dec 3
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Important Near-Future Events
Deadline to apply for a CNPS Conference Scholarship
Sunday, Dec 7, until midnight
Every three years, the California Native Plant Society hosts its statewide native plant conference, drawing more than a thousand participants from diverse fields such as botany, ecology, conservation, design, education, and horticulture. The next conference will take place at the Riverside Convention Center on February 5–7, 2026. The Santa Clara Valley Chapter is offering scholarships to local college students (in Santa Clara County or southern San Mateo County), covering registration plus a $750 travel and lodging stipend; field trips and workshops are not included, and priority goes to students presenting a poster or talk.
[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 directing 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...@cnps-scv.org) or Toni Gregorio-Bunch (tidyt...@gmail.com).
(b) CNPS Santa Clara Valley Nursery
Our search has yielded a couple of great volunteers who are already learning aspects of our nursery management. However, they cannot handle it alone so we are still in need of others in order to keep the nursery going. We need a few other dedicated people, preferably with botanical or horticultural experience, to help oversee and direct the nursery. Volunteers need to be able to commit to helping at least one day per week, preferably a weekday. The current team will be working with these volunteers to prepare them to step in and keep the nursery running smoothly starting next fall and continuing through at least 2027.
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 Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, Dec 3 and Monday, Dec 8, 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) Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday Dec 5, 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 Cunningham Park
Saturday, Dec 6, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
[4] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Secret of the Oaks - Midpen
Saturday Dec 6, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Russian Ridge Preserve, Redwood City
What secrets do the oak woodlands hold? Join Docent Naturalists Annette Herz, Melissa Hero, Steve Clarke, and Alexander Hough in exploring the rich biodiversity and ecological significance of our oak woodlands. On this moderately-paced hike along the Ancient Oaks Trail, you'll search for different species of oaks and learn what makes them unique. But beyond identifying them, you’ll discover the intricate relationships between various plants and animals who call this habitat home.
(b) Going on a Grass Hunt - Midpen
Sunday Dec 7, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Cloverdale Ranch Preserve
Join a leisurely-paced hike on the coastside at Midpen’s newest preserve with Docent Naturalists Frances Reneau and Mari Aldridge on a quest to learn about grasses. California's Mediterranean, summer-dry climate spells doom for the annual, non-native species. By fall, they have long since dropped their seeds and turned to gold. In contrast, native perennial bunchgrasses with their deep roots survive the rainless months and stay green among the golden blades. How many can you find along the way to High Hill? Reservations required.
(c) Water Wonders - Midpen
Sunday Dec 7, 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Picchetti Ranch Preserve, Cupertino
Take a break from it all with an exploration of the land around the Stevens Creek Reservoir. You’ll follow the Zinfandel Trail to the Cooley Picnic Area and back with Docent Naturalists Anouchka Gaillard, Peter Maxwell, Laura Knott-Thomas, and Annie Guo. This moderately-paced hike has little elevation change and will traverse multiple habitats. You'll observe how water availability is impacting the flora, fauna, and larger ecosystem. Will you see a newt? Will there be water in the creek? Come find out!
(d) The Search for Seasonal Secrets of Seaweeds - CNPS Santa Cruz
Monday Dec 8, 5:30 pm – 9 pm
Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
Phycologist Judith Connor will speak about colorful seaweeds one would see in the winter. Red, green, and brown seaweeds: Learn what makes them seaweeds and what makes them plants or not! Door prizes for lucky winners. The 7:00 pm talk will be preceded by a 5:30 pm plant keying session (bring a Jepson Manual for the pre-talk event or share with someone else who is keying).
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