Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - April 9, 2024
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CNPS-SCV News
Apr 9, 2024, 11:51:28 PMApr 9
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] The Beauty and Complexity of Evolution: Manzanitas as the Example, a talk by Tom Parker
Tuesday, April 16, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Los Altos Library Orchard Room, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/299615641/
Note: This talk will be held at the Los Altos Library and will not be available online.
Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos, Ericaceae family) have proliferated in California's Mediterranean climate in multiple ways. Tom will introduce you to the diversity of this group, and then focus on two stories. The first story is where manzanitas come from, so we will examine the history of a small subfamily, the Arbutoideae, of the blueberry/rhododendron/heath family (Ericaceae). Most of the genera in this subfamily occur in California, but only two are in northern California. This history leads into the second story, how manzanitas have captured mutualists, rodents such as chipmunks and chaparral mice, that bury fruits that help them survive our fires.
Tom Parker, Professor of Biology Emeritus, taught at San Francisco State University for 40 years before retiring from teaching. He was educated at the University of Texas (B.A.) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (M.A., Ph.D.). He is principally an evolutionary ecologist who works mainly in tidal wetlands and chaparral.
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] The Beauty and Complexity of Evolution: Manzanitas as the Example, a talk by Tom Parker
Tuesday, April 16, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Los Altos Library Orchard Room, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/299615641/
Note: This talk will be held at the Los Altos Library and will not be available online.
Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos, Ericaceae family) have proliferated in California's Mediterranean climate in multiple ways. Tom will introduce you to the diversity of this group, and then focus on two stories. The first story is where manzanitas come from, so we will examine the history of a small subfamily, the Arbutoideae, of the blueberry/rhododendron/heath family (Ericaceae). Most of the genera in this subfamily occur in California, but only two are in northern California. This history leads into the second story, how manzanitas have captured mutualists, rodents such as chipmunks and chaparral mice, that bury fruits that help them survive our fires.
Tom Parker, Professor of Biology Emeritus, taught at San Francisco State University for 40 years before retiring from teaching. He was educated at the University of Texas (B.A.) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (M.A., Ph.D.). He is principally an evolutionary ecologist who works mainly in tidal wetlands and chaparral.
Greeters are needed for this talk, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-library#/
[2] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham
Saturday, April 13, 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/299989706/
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 this meetup 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".
Wear a hat, gloves, and 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.
[3] Growing Natives Garden Tour - by the Santa Clara Valley Chapter and UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (north)
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (south)
https://gngt.org/
Are you interested in gardens that are waterwise, low maintenance and attractive to humans as well as birds and butterflies? Learn more at the CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter's annual Growing Natives Garden Tour. This is a free, self-guided tour of home gardens landscaped with California native plants. Gardens in San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, and Gilroy/Morgan Hill are open on Saturday. Gardens in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, and San Mateo are open on Sunday. The tour offers a variety of gardens for viewing - from townhomes to 1-acre lots, from newly planted gardens to established ones. You won't have to go far to see one: the gardens are located throughout the Santa Clara Valley and the Peninsula.
Visit as many gardens as you like - for inspiration, ideas, and pictures. What's special about California native plants? They are adapted to our soil and climate and are easy to care for. Many of our native plants are naturally waterwise and drought tolerant. They support a wide variety of wildlife that has co-evolved with them, and their distinctive look and elegant beauty gives your garden a sense of place that is uniquely Californian.
If you can't attend in person on tour days, you can visit online anytime at gngt.org, which has a page for each garden including descriptions, photos, videos and plant lists.
The self-guided tour is open to all. Admission is free but donations to support the Tour can be made at any garden. Registration is required - sign up at the link above. For more information, visit http://www.gngt.org or send a email to: info @ gngt.org.
[4] Newsletter Mailing Party
Tuesday, April 23, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center (first floor), 3921 E. Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49A9A729AAFD0-46821178-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 May-June newsletter. Help is required to label and stamp the copies, as well as to set up and clean up the room. No prior experience is necessary. Snacks, drinks and tales of our CNPS adventures will be provided. So, join us for a few hours of doing some easy tasks while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow CNPS folks.
We need volunteers for the first shift (10 am - 12 pm) as well as the second shift (12 pm - 2 pm). Please sign up for a task by using the SignupGenius link above. Questions? Contact Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com.
Saturday, April 13, 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/299989706/
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 this meetup 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".
Wear a hat, gloves, and 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.
[3] Growing Natives Garden Tour - by the Santa Clara Valley Chapter and UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (north)
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (south)
https://gngt.org/
Are you interested in gardens that are waterwise, low maintenance and attractive to humans as well as birds and butterflies? Learn more at the CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter's annual Growing Natives Garden Tour. This is a free, self-guided tour of home gardens landscaped with California native plants. Gardens in San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, and Gilroy/Morgan Hill are open on Saturday. Gardens in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, and San Mateo are open on Sunday. The tour offers a variety of gardens for viewing - from townhomes to 1-acre lots, from newly planted gardens to established ones. You won't have to go far to see one: the gardens are located throughout the Santa Clara Valley and the Peninsula.
Visit as many gardens as you like - for inspiration, ideas, and pictures. What's special about California native plants? They are adapted to our soil and climate and are easy to care for. Many of our native plants are naturally waterwise and drought tolerant. They support a wide variety of wildlife that has co-evolved with them, and their distinctive look and elegant beauty gives your garden a sense of place that is uniquely Californian.
If you can't attend in person on tour days, you can visit online anytime at gngt.org, which has a page for each garden including descriptions, photos, videos and plant lists.
The self-guided tour is open to all. Admission is free but donations to support the Tour can be made at any garden. Registration is required - sign up at the link above. For more information, visit http://www.gngt.org or send a email to: info @ gngt.org.
[4] Newsletter Mailing Party
Tuesday, April 23, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center (first floor), 3921 E. Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49A9A729AAFD0-46821178-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 May-June newsletter. Help is required to label and stamp the copies, as well as to set up and clean up the room. No prior experience is necessary. Snacks, drinks and tales of our CNPS adventures will be provided. So, join us for a few hours of doing some easy tasks while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow CNPS folks.
We need volunteers for the first shift (10 am - 12 pm) as well as the second shift (12 pm - 2 pm). Please sign up for a task by using the SignupGenius link above. Questions? Contact Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com.
Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:
[5] Inspirational Wildflowers of Pulgas Ridge - by Midpen and Bay Area Older Adults
Wednesday, April 10, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Pulgas Ridge Preserve
https://www.openspace.org/events/bay-area-older-adults-inspirational-wildflowers-pulgas-ridge
Join Midpen partner, Bay Area Older Adults, for a hike at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Pulgas Ridge is known for its showy spring wildflowers such as warrior plume, hounds tongue, milkmaids, fetid adders tongue, giant trillium, checker lily and more. On this wildflower journey led by a California naturalist who specializes in wildflowers, we will view a spectacular display of flowers and learn about their intriguing characteristics. We stop for a social picnic lunch before heading home.
Transportation from Cupertino, CA to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included.
Registration is required. To register, please visit bayareaolderadults.org/bao-hikes.
[6] Habitat Restoration: Thistles and French Broom - by Midpen
Thursday, April 11, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve/Hicks Ranch
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=915981
Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive yellow star thistle at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!
[7] Habitat Restoration: Thistle Removal - by Midpen
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Los Vientos area of Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=892326
Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive Italian and malta thistles at the Los Vientos area of Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!
[8] Naturalist Training - Why City Nature Challenge Matters - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and BioBlitz Club
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naturalist-training-why-city-nature-challenge-matters-tickets-848785128167
During this webinar we will discuss the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a four-day global iNaturalist event, happening every year on the last weekend of April. Started in 2016, hundreds of cities from around the world come together in a friendly competition to document the most species and observations by the highest number of people.
During this interactive discussion, you will:
[9] Creating California Native Habitat Gardens - by Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
https://bawsca.org/conserve/programs/eventdetails/
Celebrate Earth Day! Learn which California Native Plants and amenities invite local birds, pollinators and others, turning your garden into an ecosystem. The speaker, Juanita Salisbury has successfully created five public native plant gardens in the City of Palo Alto, thus bringing the power of native plants to the residents in easily accessible locations.
Zoom sign-up information is available by visiting the link above.
[5] Inspirational Wildflowers of Pulgas Ridge - by Midpen and Bay Area Older Adults
Wednesday, April 10, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Pulgas Ridge Preserve
https://www.openspace.org/events/bay-area-older-adults-inspirational-wildflowers-pulgas-ridge
Join Midpen partner, Bay Area Older Adults, for a hike at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Pulgas Ridge is known for its showy spring wildflowers such as warrior plume, hounds tongue, milkmaids, fetid adders tongue, giant trillium, checker lily and more. On this wildflower journey led by a California naturalist who specializes in wildflowers, we will view a spectacular display of flowers and learn about their intriguing characteristics. We stop for a social picnic lunch before heading home.
Transportation from Cupertino, CA to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included.
Registration is required. To register, please visit bayareaolderadults.org/bao-hikes.
[6] Habitat Restoration: Thistles and French Broom - by Midpen
Thursday, April 11, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve/Hicks Ranch
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=915981
Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive yellow star thistle at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!
[7] Habitat Restoration: Thistle Removal - by Midpen
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Los Vientos area of Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=892326
Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive Italian and malta thistles at the Los Vientos area of Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove this plant from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!
[8] Naturalist Training - Why City Nature Challenge Matters - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and BioBlitz Club
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naturalist-training-why-city-nature-challenge-matters-tickets-848785128167
During this webinar we will discuss the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a four-day global iNaturalist event, happening every year on the last weekend of April. Started in 2016, hundreds of cities from around the world come together in a friendly competition to document the most species and observations by the highest number of people.
During this interactive discussion, you will:
- Understand what is the CNC and different ways you can participate
- Learn how to create and log observations from wherever you are
- Learn how to host your own event.
- Gather some tips and tricks on how to find more biodiversity around you
[9] Creating California Native Habitat Gardens - by Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
https://bawsca.org/conserve/programs/eventdetails/
Celebrate Earth Day! Learn which California Native Plants and amenities invite local birds, pollinators and others, turning your garden into an ecosystem. The speaker, Juanita Salisbury has successfully created five public native plant gardens in the City of Palo Alto, thus bringing the power of native plants to the residents in easily accessible locations.
Zoom sign-up information is available by visiting the link above.
Questions? 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, and Instagram.
Find us on the web at cnps-scv.org, and follow us on Facebook, Meetup, and Instagram.
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