Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Aug 12, 2025

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Photo Group Meeting

Friday Aug 22, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Online
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/306327985/
 
The CNPS SCV Photo Group meets via Zoom on the fourth Friday of every month. 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. 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#/

[2] Chapter Restoration Activities

RSVP is required for all Chapter restoration activities, along with signed waiver forms. Please see the individual Meetup listings for details.
 

[a] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham Park
Saturday Aug 16, 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/310212642/

Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. During the summer months, we water, weed, and mulch.

 

[b] Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday Aug 16, 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/310213906/

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 planted more than 100 native plants last winter! Activities in the summer include weeding, sheet mulching, watering, irrigation setup and general maintenance.
 
[c] Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, Aug 16, 9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Location: Kirk Park Native Garden - Briarwood Drive at Wawona Drive, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/310214602/

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, Aug 15, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11424/-/edgewood-restoration

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-warriors-coord @ friendsofedgewood.org. 

[e] Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday Aug 13, and Monday Aug 18 at 8:30 am
Location: Alum Rock Park, San Jose
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11736/-/alum-rock-park-restoration

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 ultratoddh @ gmail.com for more information and instructions on where to park.

  

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[3] What’s That Weed? - by Midpen

Friday, Aug 15, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Picchetti Ranch Preserve
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/whats-weed-1

French broom, Harding grass, star thistle, Acacia….. The list of non-native, invasive weeds in Midpen preserves goes on and on. But what exactly is a weed? Join Docent Naturalists Frances Reneau and Helena Cohen on a moderately-paced 2.5 mile hike along the Zinfandel Trail to learn to identify some common local weeds and discover the attributes that make them so difficult to eradicate.

[4] Volunteer at Foothills Nature Preserve - by Grassroots Ecology

Monday, Aug 18, 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: Foothills Interpretive Center, 3300 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto
https://www.grassrootsecology.org/event-calendar/2025/08/18/volunteer-outdoors-foothills-nature-preserve

Join us in restoring the essential waterway and wildlife corridor at beautiful Foothills Nature Preserve! Volunteers should expect to use buckets to move wood chips and water to care for California native plants. Additional activities may include removing small invasive plants known as yellow starthistle, a spiny plant with a smooth base.