Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - May 23, 2023

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham
Saturday, May 27, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/hmbqwsyfchbkc/

VENUE: Native Garden Parking Lot

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 the Meetup link 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".

We follow City of San Jose guidelines for volunteering during the pandemic: face covering and social distancing. Bring your own bucket and a weeding hoe (and knee pad, if you prefer that). Wear a face covering, hat, gloves, 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.

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[2] Morning Meander: Ridge Grassland to Oaks - by Midpen
Wednesday, May 24, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/morning-meander-ridge-grassland-oaks
Location: Russian Ridge Preserve

Meet for a short, mid-morning hike in a preserve famous for its display of spring wildflowers. Docent Naturalists Laura Levin, Marie-Anne Neimat, and Emma Finter will help you identify exquisite blooms in a variety of plant habitats along the Ridge, Bo Gimbal, and Ancient Oaks trails. Proceeding at a leisurely pace, you'll stop frequently to talk about your observations and take in expansive views.

[3] Habitat Restoration: Thistle Removal - by Midpen
Thursday, May 25, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=793143
Location: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive thistles at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove thistles from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!

[4] Habitat Restoration: Thistle Removal - by Midpen
Thursday, May 25, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=793143
Location: El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve, Fir Trail

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

[5] Ohlone Medicine - by Midpen
Saturday, May 27, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/ohlone-medicine-1
Location: Long Ridge Preserve

Learn which plants local Native Americans used to treat a variety of ailments from loose teeth and thinning hair to headaches and chest congestion. Join Docent Naturalists Sarah Schoen and Frances Reneau on this moderately-paced hike to explore the Peters Creek and Long Ridge trails, with a lunch break overlooking the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There will be frequent stops as you begin to appreciate Ohlone cultural practices used before the introduction of modern medicine.

[6] Hawthorns Area Hike - by Midpen
Saturday, May 27, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/hawthorns-area-hike-1
Location: Windy Hill Preserve

Enjoy a leisurely-paced walk with Docent Naturalists Olga and Tony Bright to explore the cultural and natural history of the Hawthorns Area, a limited access location that is not contiguous to the rest of Windy Hill Preserve. You'll be guided through grasslands, oak dotted hills, an olive orchard, along a stream and see structures built in the late 1880's. Your outing will also provide sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, East Bay hills and San Francisco Bay (weather permitting)

[7] Habitat Restoration: Teasel Removal - by Midpen
Saturday, May 27, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=793172
Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Cherry Springs Pond Habitat

Join Midpen staff for a fun workday of removing invasive teasel at Cherry Springs Pond, a closed area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and education about why we want to remove teasel from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!

[8] 35th Annual Hike the Open Spaces - by Midpen
Monday, May 29, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/35th-annual-hike-open-spaces
Location: Monte Bello Preserve

Join Docent Naturalists Greg Azevedo and Bobbie Riedel for a leisurely-paced walk through a less traveled section of this preserve on the Waterwheel Creek Trail. If the weather is clear, expect to see some spectacular views of the Santa Clara Valley and portions of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This walk with occasional stops will include the history of the preserve and Midpen, and you'll learn about the plants, animals, and geology of the area.

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.