Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - June 16, 2026
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CNPS-SCV News
Jun 17, 2026, 1:08:13 AMJun 17
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear Friends,
As you may have noticed, the chapter website is currently down. We are working to get the site back online. In the meantime, here are our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Upcoming Events
(a) MEMBERS ONLY: Field Trip to Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Friday, July 3 - Monday, July 6
Location: Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
July 3 - hike near Alpine lake (halfway to Ebbetts Pass)
July 4 - hike part of the Pacific Crest trail at Ebbetts Pass. It will be spring/early summer at this elevation (8736') and the wildflowers should be great.
July 5 - half day at Calaveras Big Trees State Park (nice meadow there) very near Arnold. This plan is subject to change, depending on weather and conditions.This is a fantastic chance to see gorgeous wildflowers and hang out with fellow native plant enthusiasts. If you want to join Patricia and Fred, please email Patricia soon at patricia...@gmail.com with the number of people in your party and your arrival time. Preference given to those who carpool due to limited parking space. She will send directions and more details on what is in the area. Don’t forget to include your phone number, as she will call to confirm.
(b) 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.
(c) CA Native Seeds & Plants Propagation Demo & Ethnobotanical Garden Tour
Saturday, June 27, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Roberto Adobe & Sunol House Museum, San Jose
Grasp various native plant seeds and cuttings propagation methods from an expert Santa Clara Valley UC Master Gardener named Carol Peck, followed by an ethnobotanical garden tour of San Jose's historic Roberto Adobe & Sunol House by the garden designer and grants manager for the site, Julisa Soto. The garden supports biodiversity while highlighting traditional plant knowledge from the Indigenous American, Spanish, Mexican, and United States eras in California. The recently redesigned grounds feature 75% locally native plants from Santa Clara County, with some plant's native ranges extending from North to South America. The garden includes educational signage that shares traditional knowledge about food, medicine, weaving materials, dyes, and much more.
[2] Volunteer Needed
CNPS SCV is a volunteer-run organization and we could use your help. Please consider if you have time to be Treasurer.
(a) Seeking a Treasurer
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.
[3] Chapter Restoration Activities
Please RSVP for all Chapter restoration activities. See the individual listings for details.
(a) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, June 17 and Monday, June 22, both at 8:30 am
Location: Email Todd for specific meeting spot in Alum Rock Park, San Jose
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, June 17 at 5:30 pm and Friday June 19, 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.
(c) Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday, June 20, 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.
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, June 20, 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.
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, June 20, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
Kirk Park is glorious now with lots in bloom. Come see the flowers and help keep it looking amazing. Volunteers meet at the garden on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am, weather permitting, for weeding, watering and other maintenance activitiessuch as mulching and planting. Community volunteers, including families with children over 6, are always welcome!
[4] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Tree Life Cycles BioBlitz - KCCB
Sunday June 21, 9:00 am- 11:30 am
Location: Tree Lifecycles Trail of Coyote Creek, San Jose
Get ready to explore the hidden wonders of Tree Life Cycles with fellow nature enthusiasts at the BioBlitz event!
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 space 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.
The best part? All you need to participate is a smart phone with the iNaturalist app!
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 space 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.
The best part? All you need to participate is a smart phone with the iNaturalist app!
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