Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Feb 17, 2026
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CNPS-SCV News
Feb 17, 2026, 11:18:26 PM (12 days ago) Feb 17
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear Friends,
Hope everyone is enjoying the rain! Make sure to register for events so you hear if the weather impacts them. Midpen has lots of native plant activities this week. Read about them and the our chapter's upcoming events below.
[1] Volunteers Needed
CNPS SCV is a volunteer-run organization. Please consider if you have time to keep events running smoothly by filling these roles.
(a) Docents and Greeters for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour
Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
GNGT 2026 needs volunteers to help bring this inspiring event to life. Join us to share your passion, learn from fellow gardeners, and celebrate the beauty of native landscapes. This year, the tour is showcasing nearly 60 gardens, most of them on Saturday, in the southern portion of the tour. Each day has two shifts to choose from. We need to fill about 160 shifts on Saturday and 80 on Sunday.You can sign up for a Greeter or Docent role at the link above. The details of what is involved in each role can be found at https://gngt.org/GNGT/Greeters.php and https://gngt.org/GNGT/Docents.php.
(b) Hospitality Team Members
We are looking for people to join our Hospitality Team. The team divides the yearly hospitality tasks at different Chapter events. They mainly oversee food and beverage arrangements. Chapter events include the three larger events which are the Wildflower Show in April, the Fall Plant Sale in October and the potluck in November and some smaller events at other times. If you are interested in learning more about joining this team effort, please email Janet Hoffmann (ja...@cnps-scv.org).
[2] Chapter Restoration Activities
RSVP is required for all Chapter restoration activities, along with signed waiver forms. Please see the individual listings for details.
(a) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, Feb 21, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
*** Special event!!! ***
Come help plant two new native oak trees!
The city will be providing us with trees in 15-gallon pots and three 8-foot tree stakes for each tree. We will need to dig large holes, plant according to detailed instructions, and pound the stakes into the ground with a special tool. We would love to have your help!
Volunteers meet at the garden on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am, weather permitting, for weeding, watering and other maintenance activities. Occasionally there will be other tasks such as mulching and planting. Community volunteers, including families with children over 6, are always welcome!
(b) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, Feb 18 and Monday, Feb 23, 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.
(c) Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday Feb 20, 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.
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday, Feb 21, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose, and to prepare it for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour. We are planting and maintaining native plants in a 1/2-acre area of the park off Bethany Ave. Activities include planting, pruning, sheet mulching, irrigation setup and general maintenance.
(e) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, Feb 21, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. During the winter months, we plant, water, weed, and mulch. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
[3] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) Get the Buzz on Manzanitas - Midpen
Thursday Feb 19, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Pulgas Ridge Preserve, Redwood City
Join Docent Naturalists Mari Aldridge, Catherine Xun, and Jennifer Anthony on a 3-mile leisurely-paced hike to look for flowers with a head start on the spring. You’ll pay special attention to manzanitas, discovering why these quintessential California shrubs are considered keystone species in the local habitat. Following the Blue Oak, Dick Bishop, Polly Geraci, and other trails, you’ll enjoy enchanting oak woodlands, hardy chaparral, and the riparian corridor of the ephemeral Cordilleras Creek.
(b) Winter Blooms - Midpen
Friday Feb 20, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Coal Creek Preserve, Palomar Park
What might you find blooming this winter? Pacific Hound’s Tongue? Giant Wakerobin? Hillside Gooseberry? Discover the colors of winter on a moderately-paced hike with Docent Naturalists Bobbie Riedel, Catherine Xun, and Emma Finter. The morning begins along the White Oak Trail in Monte Bello Preserve before crossing into the smaller Coal Creek Preserve to explore mixed evergreen woodlands along the Alpine Road and Crazy Pete’s Road trails. You'll learn about some of the native plants that shine in winter, as well as stop at a small but lovely waterfall before returning to the parking area.
(c) Plants of Alpine Pond - Midpen
Saturday, Feb 21, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Skyline Ridge Preserve, La Honda
The edge of Alpine Pond is rich with native plants that have been essential to indigenous people for their traditional, medicinal, and culinary uses for thousands of years. Join Docent Naturalists Susan Bernhard, Noa Doitel, and Maureen Draper for a 1 mile, leisurely-paced walk around this peaceful pond and learn to recognize some of these plants, such as cattails, mugwort, and wild fennel. You’ll also walk among trees including valley oaks, Douglas firs, and willows. Come enjoy an afternoon exploration to get better acquainted with your local landscape!
(d) In Search of Western Leatherwood (Midpen)
Monday, Feb 23, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Rancho San Antonio Preserve, Cupertino
Join Docent Naturalist Nick Yatsko, Nancy Weintraub, and Bobbie Riedel as you look for the rare winter-flowering Western Leatherwood, a shrub endemic to the Bay Area. You'll learn a bit about its puzzling story and gain an understanding of the impact of climate change on the local environment. As you focus on searching for its delicate yellow blooms, you’ll also get a chance to zoom out for fantastic views of the surrounding landscape. Other early-blooming plants may also be seen as you hike along the Lower Meadow and Wildcat Loop trails in this well-known preserve.
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