Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - January 17, 2023

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Anza Borrego State Park Camping Trip

Monday - Friday March 13-17
https://www.cnps-scv.org/activities/field-trips

Join us for four nights of camping at Anza Borrego State Park. Patricia Evans and Joe Cernac will co-lead this event. We’ll meet on the first day on Monday. Hike/ botanize on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will be a half day at the park or further north on our return. It is too early to predict if the rains will bring a great show, but we hope to see the usual suspects: rose sand verbenas, suncups, Ocotillo flowering red as well as Chuparosa and yellow Encelia.

The cost for camping will be between $45-55 per person for four nights, depending on the number of people. Plan on travel days ahead and behind the hiking days March 14-16. Anza Borrego is in San Diego county, ten hours away from the Bay Area. Because camping in the park is already “sold out”, you should reserve asap with Patricia Evans by calling 650-949-2801. If you email at paevans @ stanfordalumni.org, you are not guaranteed a spot until she calls you back, so please include a phone number. This trip is for CNPS members only.

[2] Blazing Star Mailing Party
Thursday, February 23, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-blazing#/

The chapter's newsletter, the Blazing Star is sent electronically to all its members every two months. These days, the chapter does not usually send out paper copies. But when we do, we need all the help we can get to prepare them for mailing.

Our next paper copy is going to be the March-April 2023 newsletter. Help is required to label and stamp the newsletters, as well as to set up and clean up the room. Snacks and drinks will be provided. The mailing party will be held at the chapter's office at the Peninsula Conservation Center, located at 3921 E Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

Please sign up for a task by using the SignupGenius link above. For COVID-safety, the room will be kept ventilated by leaving the windows and doors open. Please dress warmly. We will wear masks when we are not grabbing a bite to eat. Please sign up only if your COVID vaccinations are up-to-date.

[3] Horticulture Scholarship applications are open
https://www.cnps-scv.org/education/scholarships/32-scholarships/390-horticulture-scholarship

The chapter's Horticulture Scholarship Program supports a local student pursuing a horticultural career with a focus on California native plants. The scholarship amount is $750 and is awarded to one student annually. The scholarship is intended to help with scholastic expenses such as books and tuition.
Applications for this year are open and must be submitted by March 31, 2023. For more details, and for instructions on how to apply, please click on the link above.

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[4] Tails of Two Cities: Wildlife Connectivity From the Bay to LA
Thursday, January 19, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
https://openspacetrust.org/event/tails-of-two-cities-wildlife-connectivity-from-the-bay-to-la

From the Bay Area to Los Angeles, conservation groups are working hard to not only protect and enhance critical habitat for our local wildlife, but ensure that wildlife can move throughout these areas to ensure their resilience in the face of a changing climate. Join POST and our conservation partners for an interactive panel discussion exploring the importance of habitat connections for wildlife like mountain lions, bobcats, and many other animals.

[5] King Tide Bair Island Interpretive Walk - by POST
Friday, January 20, 10 AM - 11:30 AM
https://openspacetrust.org/event/inner-bair-island-walking-tour-2/

Learn about this beautiful protected space, and join us for a walking tour of Bair Island during the King Tide! Led by docent Vicki Martell, this hike will take you through ~1.5 miles of paved trails. Bair Island is part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The interpretive walking tour will highlight the wetlands and the marine life that live within, such as: Endangered Ridgeway’s rails and salt marsh harvest mice. Also cottontail rabbits, peregrine falcons, pelicans, egrets, terns, and stilts. Make sure to bring binoculars to catch sight of some of the beautiful birds at Bair Island.

[6] BioBlitz at Coyote Creek Visitors Center - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and BioBlitz.club
Saturday, January 21, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bioblitz-at-coyote-creek-visitors-center-registration-457354819577

Located in Morgan Hill, the park 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 BioBlitz.club in cataloging and documenting all of the living things 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! So bring your family and prepare for an in-depth tour of this great park.

Community service hours available
Supported by Santa Clara County Parks

[7] Water, Wildlife and Connectivity at Spreckles Hill - by Open Space Authority
Saturday, January 21, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/postponed-to-jan-21water-wildlife-and-connectivity-at-spreckles-hill-tickets-514327185457

This hike was originally slated to occur on Jan 7 but due to weather, we have rescheduled it to Jan 21. If you are still able to come, please sign up for a
ticket at this duplicate EventBrite (link above); we will release remaining tickets to the public by next Tuesday.

Join the Open Space Authority to explore and learn all about water, wildlife and connectivity in Coyote Valley! We will climb to the top of this Spreckles Hill to take in the view of the Valley of Heart's Delight, eat a snack, and do some reflection on the significance of this special open space. Heavy rain will cancel this walk. There is some rough terrain, so please plan to wear layers and sturdy shoes.

Questions about any of the events? 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, Instagram, and Twitter.