Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Apr 14, 2026

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CNPS-SCV News

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Apr 15, 2026, 3:30:28 AMApr 15
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Dear Friends,

Learn about our chapter's fabulous upcoming events below.

[1] Upcoming Events
 
(a) Growing Natives Garden Tour 
Saturday, Apr 18, and Sunday, April 19, both from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: All around the Santa Clara Valley and Peninsula
This weekend you can discover native gardens all over the South Bay and Peninsula. Get inspired and enjoy the beauty of native plants 💕 Plan your urban nature adventure on gngt.org
(b) Urgent Need: Wildflower Show 
Saturday, Apr 18, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Farmers' Market at West Valley College
We are looking for two volunteers to table at the West Valley's Farmers' Market THIS Saturday. Last week, more than 300 people stopped for information. The Farmers' Market is a great way to interact with the community and generate support for this event. Please signup if you are available.
(c) Wildflower Show 
Saturday, Apr 25, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Location: West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga
The Wildflower Show showcases the amazing plant biodiversity in our area. The free event features a variety of native wildflowers and plant exhibits, lectures, workshops and tours. This year’s theme is “Our Relationship with Wildflowers”. The keynote speaker is Kat Anderson, author of "Tending the Wild" who will share stories of our past and present relationships with native wildflowers, contrasting colonial and Indigenous people's use and stewardship and what we can learn from the past to enhance our relationship with wildflowers today.
(d) Aging with Grace: The Life of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine 
Thursday, Apr 30, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
The Great Basin bristlecone pine is considered the longest-living organism on earth, with a confirmed living tree that is older than 5,000 years. Above 10,000 ft elevation and east of the Sierra Nevada range, nutrient-poor alkaline soil is the only place where bristlecone pines can establish themselves with no other serious competitors. Tim Aston's talk will cover some of the scientific discoveries the bristlecone pine has been part of, how its environment shapes it, and share images that demonstrate the facets of their life and growth that make them one of California’s most iconic native species. His book, Branches in Time: A Photographic Study of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, will be available for sale after the talk.
[2] Chapter Meeting
 
 
(a) Conservation Committee Meeting
Monday, April 20, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
The Conservation 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
 
(a) Volunteers for the Wildflower Show
Friday, April 24 - Help with show setup.
Saturday, April 25 - Come make the show amazing!
Location: West Valley College in Saratoga
The wildflower show is one of our chapter’s largest events and usually draws over a thousand participants. By volunteering, you help introduce hundreds of native wildflowers to the community. Most roles do not require special skills. We will have dinner on Friday for setup volunteers and breakfast and lunch for Saturday helpers. The show is a fun, energetic place to see other members and learn about the amazing variety of native plants in our area, so sign up to volunteer today.
[4] Chapter Restoration Activities
Please RSVP for all Chapter restoration activities. See the individual listings for details.
(a) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, Apr 15 and Monday, Apr 20, 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) Edgewood Restoration
Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 pm and Friday April 17, from 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.
 
[5] Other Chapters & Organizations
 
(a) Phytophthora, Killer of Native Plants - CNPS
Monday April 20, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Zoom 
Betty Young from Milo Baker Chapter will cover the discovery of Phytophthora on their preserve holding the last population of Vine Hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora, CA 1.B.1.), how they investigated the extent of the infection, obtained a CAFWS permit, propagated from that last population, genetic testing to support out-planting of genetically diverse plants, found appropriate protected sites to start new populations of these endangered Manzanitas, tested those sites to be sure they were Phytophthora-free, and tested propagated plants to be sure they were clean. Finally, we’ll discuss out-planting, watering, weeding and monitoring of out-planted groups.

Phytophthora, the pathogen responsible for Sudden Oak Death, should change how we all perform every part of our important work to bring back local native habitats and landscapes. Propagation, planting, selling, giving away and even just working around native plants now requires special methods and requirements for plant related activities.
 
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