Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - January 14, 2025

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Native Plant Walk at Sierra Azul - Mount Umunhum Trail
Sunday January 19, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/305528349

Enjoy the San Jose hills while hiking through Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve with Tom Lee. The walk passes through serpentine grasslands, chapparal and oak woodlands, each offering varying native plants. The total distance of the walk is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of about 400 feet. The trail has moderate terrain and ends at the Guadalupe Creek Overlook of the South Bay.

Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Wear appropriate layering and a hat. Bring snacks, a sack lunch, and liquids for the day. Heavy rain cancels. We meet at the Bald Mountain parking lot, which is on Mount Umunhum Road, 1.7 miles from Hicks Road in San Jose. There is a restroom at the parking lot. Parking is somewhat limited so please be on time.

RSVP is required to join us for the walk. Space is limited. No drop-ins please.

[2] Propagating Native Plants at Home, a talk by Stanley Gu
Tuesday January 21, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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/305201422/

Note: This talk will be held in-person at the Peninsula Conservation Center and will not be available online.

Growing native plants from seeds and cuttings is a great way to bring biodiversity to your garden, while saving money and connecting more deeply with nature. Stanley will share a few methods used to propagate plants at the Grassroots Ecology Native Plant Nursery and discuss ways to adapt these techniques for your home. The talk will include an iris division demonstration.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP.

This talk is co-sponsored by Grassroots Ecology, a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for public lands and waters across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

[3] The Year In Pictures: Your best nature photos of 2024
Thursday January 23, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Los Altos Library Orchard Room - 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/304849293/

Our CNPS Chapter has an annual tradition: a winter celebration of the beauty and diversity of native plant habitats and their denizens, as captured in photographs by you. This year, we will meet in person on Thursday, January 23 to view photos of notable plant and nature excursions during the previous year. All are welcome.

Join us early for our social hour, 6-6:55 pm, to mingle with like-minded nature enthusiasts. The main program starts at 6:55 pm.

[4] Greeters needed for Chapter talks
Thursday January 23, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Los Altos Library Orchard Room - 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-library#/

We need greeters for our ongoing talks. Open slots can be viewed via the link above - please sign up if you are able to help.

This is a great opportunity to learn about what our chapter does. 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 - staff the welcome table and answer basic questions about CNPS, if attendees have any. Tables, chairs and CNPS literature will be provided.
Please sign up on the link above if interested. Questions? Contact Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com.

[5] 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 - Special Workday
Saturday January 18, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Lake Cunningham Marina Parking Lot - Lake Cunningham, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/305151879/

Join us on a special workday to restore habitat at Lake Cunningham Park Marina. This session is sponsored by the City of San Jose Mayor's office and Councilmember Domingo Candelas. We plan to remove curly dock and tumbleweed.

[b] Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday January 18, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park - 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/305317020/

Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose. We are planting and maintaining native plants in a 1/4-acre area of the park off Bethany Ave. We will be planting around 100 native plants between November - February. In preparation for planting, we will also be sheet mulching to control weeds.

[c] Community Work Day at Kirk Park
Saturday January 18, 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/305215824/

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.

[d] Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday January 17, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11394/-/edgewood-restoration

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

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[6] Nature and History Hike - by Midpen
Monday January 20, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/nature-and-history-hike

Join Docent Naturalists Catherine Xun, Susan Dunn, and Casey Litton on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a moderately-paced trek for nature lovers of all ages. You’ll explore redwood groves, have a good chance of spotting wildlife like banana slugs and California newts, and learn about ongoing efforts to conserve the local ecosystem.