Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - May 13, 2025

[CNPS-SCV News]

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

[1] A New Wildflower Book & Overview of CNPS Conservation Advocacy Toolkit
Saturday May 17, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Online
https://www.cnps.org/event/a-new-wildflower-book-some-advocacy-tools-to-help-conserve-native-plants-with-dr-nick-jensen

In this presentation, CNPS Conservation Program Director, Dr. Nick Jensen, will give an overview of new conservation tools and the recently published book, Wildflowers of California. He will introduce us to the Conservation Advocacy Toolkit that provides CNPS members with the resources they need to effectively do conservation advocacy.

[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 May 17, 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/307509338/

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 17, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Kirk Park Native Garden - Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/307059152/

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 17, 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/307510674/

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 16, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11411/-/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:

[3] 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://friendsofedgewood.org/calendar

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.

[4] Weeds and Wildflowers on the Mt Umunhum Trail - by Midpen
Thursday, May 15, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, San Jose
https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=1067676#

Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive Italian, malta, and yellow star thistles and looking for wildflowers on the Mt. Umunhum Trail in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove thistles from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers!

[5] Fabulous Flora - by Midpen
Friday, May 16, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Russian Ridge Preserve, Redwood City
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/fabulous-flora

Join Docent Naturalists Sabra Abraham, Lindsay Joye, and Lyle Rice on this 3.5 mile, moderately-paced quest for early spring wildflowers along the Ridge, Charquin, and Ancient Oaks trails. You’ll spend the morning looking for colorful blooms amid a variety of habitats, including grasslands, oak woodlands, and chapparal.

[6] Butterflies of Sierra Azul - by Midpen
Friday, May 16, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Sierra Azul Preserve, San Jose
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/butterflies-sierra-azul-3
 
Docent Naturalists Jan Hintermeister, Vivian Neou, Ray Curiel, and Sarah Schoen will be your traveling companions on this leisurely-paced 5 mile hike through varied habitats of the Bald Mountain and Mt. Umunhum trails.  Although the focus is on butterflies, you'll see many other plant and animal species on the shoulders and summit of this iconic peak.

[7] Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2025 - by POST
On demand Saturday May 17 at 5:30 pm until Sunday May 25 at midnight
Location: Only Virtual Screening tickets remain
https://openspacetrust.org/event/wild-scenic-film-festival/

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is the largest film festival of its kind, showcasing the best and brightest in environmental and adventure films. Festival viewers can expect to see award-winning, environmentally inspired short films and learn more about POST and our partners’ work here on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.

[8] Hellyer County Park BioBlitz - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
Sunday, May 18, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: 996 Hellyer Ave, San Jose
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hellyer-county-park-bioblitz-tickets-1303612583329

Join a BioBlitz in the heart of San Jose and help locate and identify as many species as possible. Hellyer County Park is a safe haven for many species of plants and animals right along Coyote Creek. Join Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and partners in cataloging and documenting all of the wildlife that reside there. We will have experts in various fields to help guide participants through all the cool plants and wildlife.