Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - June 9, 2026
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CNPS-SCV News
Jun 10, 2026, 2:33:29 AMJun 10
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear Friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Upcoming Events
(a) First Day of Summer Bird and Plant ID Walk
Sunday, June 14, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Lake Cunningham — Parking Lot A, 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
With the onset of Summer, join us for a 2 mile beginner’s bird and plant identification walk through Lake Cunningham Park. This lake is a major destination for waterfowl and migratory birds and its native garden draws many resident birds due to its habitat value. On this walk, Vicki Silvas-Young will show you how to identify the common birds of our area, while Arvind Kumar will identify the native plants that they depend on for food and shelter.RSVP is required to join us for the walk. Space is limited. No drop-ins please.
(b) Screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar"
Monday, June 15, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Congregation Etz Chayim - 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto
Peek into the world of nature’s tiniest superheroes! We are hosting a special screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar", a beautifully shot 60-minute documentary that reveals the vital role that caterpillars play in our ecosystems. From blooming meadows, to city parks and backyard gardens, this inspiring film celebrates the magic of nature, while showing families practical ways to make a difference. You'll see the groundbreaking work of The Caterpillar Lab, entomologist David Wagner and Doug Tallamy, co-founder of the Homegrown National Park. Hands-on activity for children ages 6-10. Registration is required to attend this event. Register at the link above.
(c) From Noticing Nature to Conservation: How iNaturalist and Community Science Can Make a Difference, a talk by Dr. Merav Vonshak
Thursday, June 25, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Cupertino Library Program Room, 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino
Have you ever come across a native plant and wondered about its role in the ecosystem? Community science offers a way to turn those observations into meaningful data that support research and conservation. In this talk, Dr. Merav Vonshak will share examples from BioBlitz events and other local projects, and show how iNaturalist can help document plant diversity and track changes over time. She will discuss why this work matters, how easy it is to participate, and a few practical tips for using iNaturalist effectively.Dr. Merav Vonshak is an ecologist, naturalist, and citizen science organizer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the founder of BioBlitz Club, a grassroots initiative that brings volunteers together to document plants and wildlife in parks and preserves. She also leads the Newt Patrol, a community group dedicated to monitoring the decline of newt populations near Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos and the efforts to save them.
[2] Chapter Meeting
(a) Conservation Committee Meeting
Monday, June 15, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
The Conservation Committee covers many issues affecting native plants: conservation, advocacy, legislation, habitat restoration and rare plants. Meetings are open to all interested members; to receive the Zoom link, contact Committee Chair Carolyn Dorsch or Conservation Chair Judy Fenerty via the emails provided at the page above.
[3] Volunteers Needed
CNPS SCV is a volunteer-run organization and we could use your help. Please consider if you have time to fill either of these roles.
The Treasurer is a key part of the leadership team within a vibrant, inclusive, and science-based non-profit organization. A dedication to the mission of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and the requisite skills for this position—like numerical proficiency, careful attention to detail, and reliability—are vital. Although prior financial experience is advantageous, it is not mandatory. The Treasurer serves as a member of the Chapter’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and is required to participate in Board meetings. Monthly meetings are held via Zoom, except for March, when an in-person meeting takes place to finalize the annual budget.For more information, please contact Radhika Thekkath at cnpsr...@gmail.com.
(b) One More Greeter Needed
Thursday, June 25, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Cupertino Library Program Room, 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino
Help make Dr. Merav Vonshak talk about community science and iNaturalist run smoothly. The talk will be held in person at the Cupertino library and there will be 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 to staff the welcome table and answer basic questions about CNPS if attendees have any. Tables, chairs, and CNPS literature will be provided.
[4] Chapter Restoration Activities
Please RSVP for all Chapter restoration activities. See the individual listings for details.
(a) Mulch Day at Cahalan Park - Help us extend our pollinator garden!
Saturday, June 13, 8:45 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Cahalan Park, San Jose
Come help us sheet mulch a large, and formerly weedy, area next to our new Children's Pollinator Garden. We are working on a formal proposal to the City to add more native pollinator plants in this area, hopefully this fall.
We will be covering the area with cardboard as a weed barrier and spreading mulch on top of the cardboard. Learn how you can use this technique in your own garden.Help us help the endangered Monarch Butterfly!
(b) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, June 10, Saturday, June 13, and Monday, June 15, all 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.
(c) Edgewood Restoration
Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 pm and Friday June 12, from 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 Cataldi Park
Saturday, June 13, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
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 section of the park off Bethany Ave. We have planted more than 200 native plants over the last couple of years. Activities depend on the season. Spring is the time for taking care of the young saplings and controlling weeds.
(e) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. We plant, water, weed, and mulch to keep this native garden thriving. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
[5] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Invasive Limonium: what is it and what is being done about it? - CNPS
Thursday June 11, 7:00 pm
Location: online
First discovered in 2007 near the San Francisco Airport, invasive Limonium or Algerian Sea Lavender has been a problem around San Francisco Bay. There is a native Limonium, California Sea Lavender. The invasive species can dominate wetland areas. Learn about both the native and non-native sea lavenders, the research, and on the ground work that has been done here in San Francisco Bay.Drew Kerr began his career as a wetland ecologist in Seattle, working with Pacific Northwest amphibian conservation and research and as the Aquatic Noxious Weed Specialist for King County DNR. Since 2005 he has been focused on the invasive plants of the tidal marshes and mudflats of the San Francisco Estuary.
(b) Volunteer at Alviso Burrowing Owl Project - Grassroots Ecology
Tuesday June 16, 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: 150 Nortech Parkway, San Jose
Together we will be working to improve habitat for the resident burrowing owl population. This winter we installed hundreds of California native plants which will attract this locally-threatened species' prey base (rodents and insects). At this workday, our habitat restoration tasks will be watering with buckets, weeding with hand tools, and potentially moving mulch with pitchforks and wheelbarrows.
(c) Signs of Summer - Midpen
Thursday, June 11, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Pulgas Ridge Preserve, Redwood City
Join Docent Naturalists Liz F. and Mari Aldridge to explore signs of summer. You’ll observe blooming trees, native California shrubs, and wildflowers. The 2.75 mile route will include the Blue Oak and Dick Bishop trails and then descend the Polly Geraci Trail, with an elevation gain of about 400 feet on this moderately-paced outing with some uneven terrain.
(d) Butterflies of Sierra Azul - Midpen
Friday, June 12, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Sierra Azul Preserve, Mt Umunhum Rd, San Jose
Docent Naturalists Jan Hintermeister, Vivian Neou, Ray Curiel, and Sarah Schoen will be your traveling companions on this leisurely-paced excursion through varied habitats of this preserve. You’ll start by hiking the Bald Mountain and lower Mt. Umunhum trails. You’ll then carpool/caravan to the Mt. Umunhum Summit for further exploration. Although the focus is on butterflies, you'll see many other animal and plant species on the shoulders and summit of this iconic peak. Bring a lunch for a short break and binoculars if you have them.
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