Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - May 2, 2023

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] Integrated Pest Management - a talk by Frank Niccoli
Friday, May 5, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Los Altos Library, Orchard Room, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/293221767/

To spray, or not to spray, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous insects,
Or to take arms against a sea of aphids
And by spraying, end them.

The bard asks the same questions we ponder regarding pesticide use. Did you know that there is a method of pest control that is much safer for you and the environment?  Join Frank Niccoli for two tantalizing hours to learn about Integrated Pest Management.

Frank Niccoli has been a gardener for over 55 years. He has written the curriculum and teaches numerous classes at Foothill College.

Please note that this talk is in-person only. It will not be available online.

[2] Greeters and helpers needed for the talk at Los Altos Library
Friday, May 5, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Location: Los Altos Library, Orchard Room, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos

Frank Niccoli will be speaking at the Los Altos library on "Integrated Pest Management". We need two greeters and two helpers for this event. The responsibilities of the greeter are - staff the welcome table, answer basic questions about CNPS if attendees have any and ask them to sign up on the sign-up sheet. Tables, chairs, sign-up sheets and CNPS literature will be provided.
Helpers will set up the room with tables and chairs before the talk and put them away afterwards. Please sign up here if you're interested:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-greeters#/
Questions? Contact Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com.

[3] Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham
Saturday, May 6, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/hmbqwsyfchbjb/

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 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".

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.

[4] CNPS SCV 2022-2023 Research Scholarship Projects
Thursday, May 11, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/293261484/

Since 1999, the chapter has sponsored a scholarship program for students doing research on native plant topics. Krti Tallam, John McLaughlin, Sierra Phillips and Andy Frank are recipients of scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year and will present their projects during this talk.

Krti Tallam, Stanford University (Sally Casey Shooting Stars Graduate Research Scholarship Winner). Coastal California seagrasses are global blue carbon habitats for climate change mitigation. Krti's project is a unique broadscale examination of meadows across distinct estuaries of a single species. Krti is a Stanford PhD candidate and trans-disciplinary expert for planetary health topics, via machine learning and computer vision, data science, and science communication.

Andy Frank, San Jose State University, Biology-Ecology and Evolution (Donald Mayall Conservation Research Scholarship Winner) Erysimum franciscanum is a biennial rare plant found exclusively within the San Francisco Bay Area. With its range stretching from the Presidio down to San Jose, Andy will be conducting a greenhouse experiment to determine to what factor water availability determines local adaptation in populations. When complete, he hopes the experiment will provide insight into better understanding population dynamics in the face of future climate scenarios.

Sierra Phillips, UC Davis, Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group (Graduate Research Scholarship Winner) Sierra is earning her Ph.D. in Hydrologic Sciences at UC Davis and her work is focused on river restoration science. Her study investigates the role of hydrology in promoting or limiting Populus fremontii seedling recruitment through the development of a process-based recruitment model.

John McLaughlin, San Jose State University, Biological Sciences (Graduate Research Scholarship Winner) John McLaughlin is a master's student at San Jose State University in the Department of biological sciences who has spent the last three years producing a bryophyte flora of Henry W. Coe State Park. His talk will cover some of California's smallest plants - the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts of Santa Clara County's largest natural preserve, Henry W. Coe State Park.

This talk will be live streamed on Zoom (requires advance registration) and YouTube (registration NOT required).
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAscuihpjoiGNyeO2wQGTv85EQAEjuoahOR#/registration

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[5] Explorer Hike: Let 1,000 Flowers Bloom - by Midpen
Wednesday, May 3, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/explorer-hike-let-1000-flowers-bloom-0
Location: Russian Ridge Preserve

Take advantage of spring and indulge in glorious blooms of wildflowers! You'll join Docent Naturalists Mary Brunkhorst, Kate Bauer, and Dennis Smith to explore the meadows and woodlands of this ridgetop preserve. On this moderate to strenuously-paced outing, you'll hike the Ridge Trail, visit the summit of Borel Hill, have lunch, and then return via the Hawk Ridge and Ancient Oak trails. Along the way, you'll work together to identify the many flowers and enjoy their beauty even for those blooms whose names elude! This hike has an elevation gain of almost 800 feet over ascending and descending trails.

[6] Virtual Pollinator Party! - by Open Space Authority
Friday, May 5, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-pollinator-party-tickets-616621630897

Join the Open Space Authority to party along with our native pollinators! We invite you to come learn about our most common buzzing neighbors as well as meet some rare species that are special to the Santa Clara Valley. Take your lunch break with us to explore the amazing biodiversity of our backyards and open spaces.
This event will be hosted on Zoom.

[7] Three Worlds in One Hike - by Midpen
Saturday, May 6, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/three-worlds-one-hike
Location: La Honda Creek Preserve

Join Docent Naturalists Roberta and Jaime Cavazos, Melissa Hero, and Annie Guo on a fun hike through three different habitats. How amazing to live and be able to hike one trail and visit 3 different "worlds". You'll traverse grasslands, enter the oak woodlands, and explore a redwood forest looking for who and what live in these different areas. You'll stop for a snack break along the way and enjoy the views.

[8] Hidden Life of the Forest - by Midpen
Saturday, May 6, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/hidden-life-forest
Location: Los Trancos Preserve

Do trees talk? Do they sleep at night? Do they sweat on a hot summer afternoon? Join Docent Naturalists Marie Faust Evitt, Ann McCarty and Catherine Crawford-Swent to explore secrets of the forest through a leisurely-paced hike and fun activities along the Franciscan Loop and Lost Creek trails. Bring water and a snack to enjoy at a rest stop. Capable, attentive children who can hike at least 2.5 miles are welcome.

[9] National Volunteer Week Cleanup! - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Sunday, May 7, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-volunteer-week-cleanup-registration-601052152167
Location: Capitol Expressway 1001 E Capitol Expressway,San Jose, CA, 95121 San Jose

Spend a few hours to help Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society work together for a healthy creek while we beautify the Coyote Creek trail and the creek through a community cleanup. Come celebrate the Earth by improving the environment and enjoying nature!

Each group of 25 people will be directed to different areas of the park to maintain the safety of all volunteers.

[10] La Loma California Native Plant Garden, Modesto
Monday, May 8, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
https://www.cnps.org/event/la-loma-california-native-plant-garden-modesto

The La Loma Native Garden was established in Modesto in 2017 by local resident, Rhonda Allen, whose goal was to develop a more usable space for a vacant strip of land in the middle of her neighborhood. The two-acre parcel is owned by the City of Modesto, had no water or electricity available, lacked maintenance or even a purpose. After neighborhood discussion and agreement with the city, a plan was created for a native garden that would provide a walking path and a drought tolerant landscape that would be easy to maintain and low cost to develop.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://cnps-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpdO6urz4oH9EBTvT1DWJiSLMcXxBK1XvS

[11] Signs of Spring - by Midpen
Tuesday, May 9, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/signs-spring-3
Location: Pulgas Ridge Preserve

Enjoy a spring hike including viewing a variety of oak trees, wildflowers, and bushes with flowers. Join Docent Naturalists Liz Foreman and Lina Mesa to explore the plants and trees in this popular preserve as you hike along the Blue Oak, Dick Bishop, Dusky-footed Woodrat, and Cordilleras trails. Enjoy a scenic view as you hike along the top of the ridge. This moderately-paced hike includes some uneven terrain. Parking is limited; carpooling is recommended.

[12] Trashy Tuesdays Cleanup! - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
Tuesday, May 9, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trashy-tuesdays-cleanup-registration-601883960127
Location: Tully Ballfields 800 Tully Rd San Jose

Spend a couple of hours to work together for a healthy creek while we beautify the Coyote Creek trail and the creek through a community cleanup at the Tully Ballfields. Celebrate the Earth by improving the environment and enjoying nature!

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.