Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Jan 27, 2026

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CNPS-SCV News

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Jan 27, 2026, 3:54:03 PM (9 days ago) Jan 27
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Dear Friends,

Check out our chapter's upcoming events:

[1] Near-Future Events
 
(a) Apply for CNPS-SCV Community College Scholarship
Deadline: February 15, 2026
CNPS-SCV is offering a $1,500 community college scholarship for a motivated student studying native plant horticulture, ecology, or habitat/park management. Applicants should aspire to work with native plants or their habitats and have completed (or plan to complete) at least one course with significant native plant content.
Eligible applicants are community college students who live in San Mateo or Santa Clara County and/or attend a community college in either county. Full eligibility and requirements: https://www.cnps-scv.org/cc-scholarship
We would appreciate it if you share this announcement widely. 
 
[2] Chapter Meetings
 
 
(a) Native Plant ID - Redwood Forest - TONIGHT
Tuesday, Jan 27 · 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM PST
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 E Bayshore Rd · Palo Alto
Bruce Homer-Smith will present an introduction to plants of the redwood forest. Bring samples of redwood forest plants that you are interested in identifying from property where you have permission to collect. The Chapter has 10x hand lenses that we can use to look at small plant parts or bring your own lens. Also bring any reference books that you like to use. We are planning a follow-up field trip at a date to be determined after the class.
 
(b) Conservation Committee Meeting
Monday, Feb 2, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
This 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. Please consider if you have time to keep events running smoothly by filling this vital role.
 
(a) Seeking a Treasurer
Our Chapter is looking for a volunteer to assume the role of Treasurer. Do you want to join the Chapter's leadership team? Are you skilled with numbers and detail-oriented? A full description of the position is available at the link above.Although some financial experience is beneficial, it is not a requirement. The Chapter's finance committee is available to help the treasurer. The Treasurer is a member of the Chapter's Board of Directors and Executive Committee and is expected to attend Board meetings. With the exception of March, when an in-person meeting is held to finalize the annual budget, the monthly meetings are conducted via Zoom.For further details or to express your interest, please contact Radhika Thekkath at cnpsr...@gmail.com.
 
 
(b) Hospitality Chair
If you have organized food for large gatherings before, then you already have what it takes to be hospitality chair! The Hospitality Chair oversees food and beverage arrangements at chapter events including 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.Your main tasks include shopping for food and drinks, and directing other chapter volunteers with set up before events and clean up afterwards.
 
If you are interested, please email Janet Hoffman (ja...@cnps-scv.org) or Toni Gregorio-Bunch (tidyt...@gmail.com).
 
(c) Docents and Greeters needed for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour
Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
GNGT 2026 needs volunteers to help bring this inspiring event to life. Join us to share your passion, learn from fellow gardeners, and celebrate the beauty of native landscapes. This year, the tour is showcasing nearly 60 gardens, most of them on Saturday, in the southern portion of the tour. Each day has two shifts to choose from. We need to fill about 160 shifts on Saturday and 80 on Sunday.You can sign up for a Greeter or Docent role at the link above. The details of what is involved in each role can be found at https://gngt.org/GNGT/Greeters.php and https://gngt.org/GNGT/Docents.php. 
 
[4] 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, Jan 28 and Monday, Feb 2, 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 Jan 30, 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, Jan 31, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose, attendance to prepare it for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour. We are planting and maintaining native plants in a 1/2-acre area of the park off Bethany Ave. Activities include planting, pruning, sheet mulching, irrigation setup and general maintenance.
 
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, Jan 31, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. During the winter months, we plant, water, weed, and mulch. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
 
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, Jan 31, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
Volunteers meet at the garden on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am, weather permitting, for weeding, watering and other maintenance activities. Occasionally there will be other tasks such as mulching and planting. Community volunteers, including families with children over 6, are always welcome!
 
[5] Other Chapters & Organizations
 
(a) Midwinter Wonders Naturalist Walk at Russian Ridge Preserve (Grassroots Ecology)
Sunday Feb 1, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Russian Ridge Preserve, 3901 Alpine Road La Honda, CA, 94020
Join Grassroots Ecology at Russian Ridge Open Space, a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve, to explore the life that abounds in winter! California's native plants are beginning to wake up from winter dormancy, covering the landscape in bright green sprouts, buds, leaves, and the occasional flower. During this walk, you'll see spectacular sunset views of the San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, explore the different ecosystems of Russian Ridge and learn about the preserve’s biodiversity.
 
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