Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - May 20, 2025

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Photo Group Meeting
Friday May 23, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Online
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/306327883/

The 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. Share your pictures, techniques, and ideas via Zoom. Slots are 20 minutes each. If you have pictures to share, sign up for a slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-cnps18#/

[2] Beginners Walk to Franklin Point, part of Año Nuevo
Saturday May 24, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: North Whitehouse Creek Trail, CA-1, Pescadero
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/307128600/

Please join co-leaders Toni Gregorio-Bunch and Vicki Silvas-Young on a short beginners walk to botanize and picnic at Franklin Point, located in the northern part of the  Año Nuevo State Park. We will be exploring the surroundings as we walk to Franklin Point which is the most botanically interesting area of the Park. We will be walking on sand dunes for short stretches of this 3 mile hike.

[3] Native Plant ID
Tuesday May 27, 7:00 pm - 9:00 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/307622684/

This session will focus on Salvias. If you have any Salvia samples, please bring them with you to the meeting.

Native Plant ID is a Chapter group that works together to learn plant identification using botanical keys and other resources. Join us as we look at plant samples collected from local gardens and practice methods of identifying the native plants of our region. Bring in plant samples if you have some from a property where you have permission to collect or just come and work with the materials provided. The group meets at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Janet Hoffmann at janet @ cnps-scv.org.

[4] Online Plant Sale
Starts Tuesday May 27
Location: Online Sale - Pickup in Los Altos Hills or Palo Alto
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11709/-/online-native-plant-sale/

Our CNPS SCV nursery is having an online plant sale at california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter.square.site, starting Tuesday, May 27. The store will close when we reach our pickup capacity or at the end of the day on Wednesday, May 28 – whichever comes first.

In addition to plants, the nursery’s online store includes books, labels and plant signs. There is a minimum order of $40.

Pick your plants up with a scheduled pickup at the CNPS SCV Nursery on Friday, May 30 or the Exchange at the Peninsula Conservation Center on Saturday, May 31. No drop-in pickups or sales.

[5] 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 May 24, 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/307638508/

Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park.

[b] Community Work Day at Kirk Park
Saturday May 24, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
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/307640092/

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.

[c] Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday May 24, 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/307639847/

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 this spring include weeding, sheet mulching, watering, irrigation setup and general maintenance.

[d] Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday May 23, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11412/-/edgewood-restoration

Help restore habitat at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, known for fabulous wildflowers and amazing diversity. 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] Spring Wildflowers Hike at Edgewood Natural Preserve - by Friends of Edgewood
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May, see link below for times
Location: Clarkia Trailhead on Cañada Road at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve - 153-173 Cañada Rd, Redwood City
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/friends-of-edgewood-natural-preserve-3011937000

Join Friends of Edgewood docents for a spring wildflower hike starting from the Clarkia Trailhead on Cañada Rd. at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve. Spring is the best time to experience Edgewood's extraordinary biodiversity! Discover what's in bloom as we hike through Edgewood's woodlands and grasslands. We will make frequent stops to take a closer look at the wildflowers as well as other interesting plants and animals we find along the way. Hike is approximately 3 miles at a moderate pace. If you have questions about the hike, email info @ friendsofedgewood.org.

[7] Explorer Hike: Picchetti Wildflowers - by Midpen
Wednesday, May 21, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Picchetti Ranch Preserve, Cupertino
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/explorer-hike-picchetti-wildflowers

Experience the delight of discovering a variety of blooming wildflowers with Docent Naturalists Kate Bauer, Mary Brunkhorst, and Nick Yatsko on a moderately-paced, 4.5 mile long hike along the Zinfandel and Creek trails. Clarkia, milkmaids, poppies, and hound's tongue are a few of the flowers you may encounter.

[8] Morning Hike at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve - by POST
Sunday, May 25, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Skyline Ridge Parking Lot, Los Gatos
https://openspacetrust.org/event/morning-hike-at-skyline-ridge-open-space-preserve-6/

Join POST for this guided, moderate to strenuous 4.5 mile hike at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve! This area contains diverse plant ecosystems and water features that make it an important habitat for a variety of wildlife. This hike will feature views of a lake, pond, and views of stunning redwood groves.

[9] Redwoods: Heroes of the Forest - by Midpen
Sunday, May 25, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve, Los Gatos
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/redwoods-heroes-forest-3
 
Spend a few hours with Docent Naturalists Nirvair Singh Bhinder and Mari Aldridge in the company of the forest's true heroes—the redwoods. You’ll make several stops during this moderately-paced, 4 mile hike on the Upper Pete Siemens Trail, including one where old-growth giants still stand tall, and learn how these amazing trees support their namesake ecosystem in multiple ways. You'll climb about 500 feet in elevation.

[10] 37th Annual Hike the Open Spaces - by Midpen
Monday, May 26, 8:15 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Monte Bello Preserve, Los Altos
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/37th-annual-hike-open-spaces

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