Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - June 25, 2024

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Native Plant ID
Tuesday June 25, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Tonight!
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center (first floor), 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/301479263/

Native Plant ID (formerly Keying with Natives) is a Chapter group that works together to learn plant identification using botanical keys and other resources. Join us as we look at plant samples collected from local gardens and practice methods of identifying the native plants of our region. Bring in plant samples if you have some from a property where you have permission to collect or just come and work with the materials provided. We use the current edition of The Jepson Manual as well as other plant guides, and we have copies to share. If you have them, bring your own favorite guide and a hand lens. Microscopes will also be available.

For the meeting on June 25, we will look at 5 of the most common families of plants: Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae. We will also hopefully have some members of the Scrophulariaceae and Verbenaceae which have some characteristics in common with Lamiaceae. If you have samples from any of these families (they don't necessarily have to be natives), please bring them for us to look at. We are especially looking for samples of Scrophularia california, if any of you have access to this plant with flowers (on your property or property where you have permission to collect) please bring some for us to look at.

The group meets at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Janet Hoffmann at janet @ cnps-scv.org.

[2] Edgewood Restoration
Friday June 28, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/3305/-/friday-edgewood-restoration

The Edgewood Weed Warriors operate under a permit issued to the Friends of Edgewood. They meet regularly to remove invasive plants at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, thereby allowing for greater biodiversity, natural habitats, and those beautiful wildflower displays that everyone enjoys.

The Weed Warriors normally meet at 9:00 AM on Friday throughout the year and on Wednesday afternoons during daylight savings time. Special sessions may be added with notice given at the beginning of the month.

Notice of the meeting location and time for each session is sent to the Weed Warrior email group each week - do not go to the park and expect to find the weeding group if you are not on the email list. If you wish to be added to the Weed Warriors email, contact the Weed Warrior program coordinator, Paul Heiple, at weed-warriors-coord @ friendsofedgewood.org. New weeders must fill out forms before they come out. Contact vc @ friendsofedgewood.org for the form to fill out.

[3] Photo Group Meeting
Friday June 28, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Online
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/301376587/

The Photo Group meets via zoom on 4th Fridays, 7-9 PM. In this supportive peer group, beginners and experts are equally welcome. Folks who just want to see pictures and hear photo tips are welcome too.

Register at the link for the next meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdemsqjwvGtBT0xqAWOyK5G7zu-6MZWel

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link for the meeting.

If you have pictures to share, sign up for a slot. Share your pictures, techniques, and ideas from your desktop via zoom. Slots are 20 minutes each; plan your photos and discussions accordingly. Presenters receive a 1-minute-remaining alert. Signup for a slot at the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-cnps18

To participate in other Photography Group activities, join the email list: https://cnps-scv.org/activities/photography-group

[4] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham
Saturday June 29, 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/301542456/

Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose. During the summer months, we remove invasives throughout the park. Meeting place may change from one week to the next. First timers: please follow directions in this meetup to get to the native garden. It is a very large park (200 acres) with two entrances. You want to head to the Google map pin for "Lake Cunningham Native Garden".

Wear a hat, gloves, and sturdy garden shoes. Bring plenty of fluids and hydrate often. We start with a 5-minute orientation, then walk to the site, so please be on time. First-timers: Bring a signed waiver form available at https://lakecunninghamnativegarden.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/2021-volunteer-service-agreement-adoptapark-version.pdf

Workdays are sometimes rescheduled or canceled. Always RSVP to confirm, and check the latest updates Friday night. If you can't make it, please change your RSVP so we know and wait-listers get a chance.

[5] Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday June 29, 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/301543649/

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! First-time volunteers will need to fill out a form from the City of San Jose available at https://lakecunninghamnativegarden.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/2021-volunteer-service-agreement-adoptapark-version.pdf

Wear a hat, gloves, and sturdy garden shoes. Bring plenty of fluids and hydrate often.

Directions: From Meridian Avenue, go east on Foxworthy Avenue. Turn left on Briarwood Drive and go about a block. The park is on your left. Park along Briarwood Drive. The garden is along the cement walkway that parallels the north edge of the park.

Workdays are sometimes rescheduled or canceled. Always RSVP to confirm, and check the latest updates Friday night. If you can't make it, please change your RSVP so we know and wait-listers get a chance.

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[6] Morning Meander: Canyon to Chaparral - by Midpen
Wednesday June 26, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Sierra Azul Preserve
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/morning-meander-canyon-chaparral

Start your day with a cool morning walk along the north-facing slope of Mt. Umunhum on the Woods Trail with Docent Naturalists Kate Bauer and Marie-Anne Neimat. You'll pause frequently on this leisurely-paced outing to enjoy summer wildflowers, inspiring views, and other delights in this botanically-rich area that holds the headwaters of Guadalupe Creek.

[7] Habitat Restoration: Yellow Star Thistle Removal - by Midpen
Thursday June 27, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=936031

Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive yellow star thistle at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!

[8] Healing in Nature at Coyote Valley: For Families with Children - by Green Foothills
Saturday June 29, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
https://www.greenfoothills.org/events/healing-in-nature-at-coyote-valley-for-families-with-children

Families with children are invited to a Healing in Nature outing at the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve south of San Jose. We will explore about 2.5 miles of this beautiful preserve and participants will have the opportunity to learn about local plant and animal life led by Green Foothills staff and docents. We will be meeting at the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve Parking Lot. Please arrive at 8:45 AM to check in.

Questions?  Do not reply to this email - instead, please direct your questions to: info @ cnps-scv.org.

For more information about chapter activities, be sure to check the latest Blazing Star and our chapter website - cnps-scv.org. We also recommend joining our Meetup group to receive a notification when we schedule new activities, including field trips.  Not a member of CNPS yet? Join here.

California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter
Find us on the web at cnps-scv.org, and follow us on Facebook, Meetup, and Instagram