Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - March 18, 2025

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Tulare Hill Wildflower Walk
Wednesday March 19, 9:40 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Flames Coffee Shop - 7170 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/306178239/

Note: CNPS membership is required.

Join Craige Edgerton and Alyssa LoGalbo on a wildflower walk at Tulare Hill. The hill and surrounding 330 acres (130 ha) of serpentine grasslands are home to the endangered Bay checkerspot butterfly and Dudleya setchellii wildflower. A portion of the hill makes up the Tulare Hill Ecological Preserve. The walk will be 2-3 miles and includes a short walk up the hill, about 300 ft elevation gain.

Please bring snacks and plenty of water. Heavy rain cancels.

RSVP is required to join the hike. Please ensure your CNPS membership is current. No drop-ins please and space is limited. Liability waivers for Tulare Hill are required. They will be available at the hike.

[2] Growing Natives Garden Tour
Saturday, April 12, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (north)
Sunday,   April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (south)
https://gngt.org/

Are you interested in gardens that are waterwise, low maintenance and attractive to humans as well as birds and butterflies? Learn more at the CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter's annual Growing Natives Garden Tour. This is a free, self-guided tour of home gardens landscaped with California native plants. Gardens in San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, and Gilroy/Morgan Hill are open on Saturday. Gardens in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, and San Mateo are open on Sunday. The tour offers a variety of gardens for viewing - from townhomes to 1-acre lots, from newly planted gardens to established ones. You won't have to go far to see one: the gardens are located throughout the Santa Clara Valley and the Peninsula.

Visit as many gardens as you like - for inspiration, ideas, and pictures. What's special about California native plants? They are adapted to our soil and climate and are easy to care for. Many of our native plants are naturally waterwise and drought tolerant. They support a wide variety of wildlife that has co-evolved with them, and their distinctive look and elegant beauty gives your garden a sense of place that is uniquely Californian.

If you can't attend in person on tour days, you can visit online anytime at gngt.org, which has a page for each garden including descriptions, photos, videos and plant lists.

The self-guided tour is open to all. Admission is free but donations to support the Tour can be made at any garden. Registration is required - sign up at the link above. For more information, visit http://www.gngt.org or send a email to: info @ gngt.org.

The tour is organized by CNPS, Santa Clara Valley Chapter, in association with the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County and San Mateo and San Francisco Counties.

[3] Chapter Restoration Activities
RSVP is required for all Chapter restoration activities, in addition to signed waiver forms. Please see the individual Meetup listings for details.

[a] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham Park
Saturday March 22, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham - 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/306497185/

Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. During the winter months, we weed, mulch and plant.

[b] Community Work Day at Kirk Park
Saturday March 22, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Kirk Park Native Garden - Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/306498546/

Volunteers meet at the garden on Saturdays, weather permitting, for weeding, watering and other maintenance activities. Occasionally there will be other tasks such as mulching and planting.

[c] Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday March 21, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11403/-/edgewood-restoration

Help restore habitat at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, known for fabulous wildflowers and amazing diversity. To participate, join the email list and sign the electronic volunteer agreement, by sending an email to weed-warriors-coord @ friendsofedgewood.org.