Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - May 27, 2026

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CNPS-SCV News

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May 26, 2026, 7:42:07 PMMay 26
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Dear Friends,

Check out our chapter's upcoming events:

[1] Chapter Events
 
(a) Plant Sale - STILL ONGOING - LAST 2 DAYS
Ends on Wednesday evening, May 27th
Go to the CNPS SCV Nursery Online Store to make your purchases. No need to RSVP. Please do not purchase plants from this sale if you are not able to schedule a pickup time on Friday or Saturday.
 
Scheduled pickup for purchases will be available at the CNPS SCV Nursery at Hidden Villa on Friday, May 29 or at the PCC during our Seed and Cutting Exchange on Saturday, May 30.
 
(b) Seed and Cutting Exchange & Plant Sale Pickup
Saturday, May 30, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 E Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto
The Seed and Cutting Exchange will be on Saturday, May 30 from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Peninsula Conservation Center (PCC), 3921 E. Bayshore Road in Palo Alto. This free event provides an opportunity to share and receive both seeds and cuttings of native plants. Browse the diverse offerings, ranging from easy-to-grow to hard-to-find, and go home with seeds and cuttings of new native plants! We will provide coin envelopes for seeds but bring containers to carry cuttings home.
 
[2] Chapter Meetings
 
(a) Native Plant ID
TODAY – Tuesday, May 26 · 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 E Bayshore Rd · Palo Alto
Bring in samples of flowers that you would like to identify if you have permission to collect them. If you see some flowers on hikes on public lands, take photos. For identification purposes we need a close-up photo or photos showing all the flower parts as well as photos of the leaves and a whole plant photo to show the growth form. Send your photos to the email below no later than the Sunday before the meeting..
 
 
(b) Gardening for Biodiversity, a talk by John Kehoe
Thursday, May 28 · 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd · Los Altos
Native plants provide an abundance of resources for insects, bird and animal life. The beneficial relationship between native plants and the wildlife that relies on them has been well-established. Come to this talk to learn how selecting even a few California native plants for a garden or restoration plot can make a significant difference in the overall populations of beneficial insects and animals.
 
[3] Chapter Restoration Activities
RSVP is required for all Chapter restoration activities, along with signed waiver forms. Please see the individual listings for details.
 
(a) Habitat Restoration at Alum Rock Park
Wednesday, May 27 and Monday, June 1, 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.
 
(b) Edgewood Restoration
Wednesday May 27, 5:30 pm
Friday May 29, 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.
 
(c) Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Cataldi Park — 1797 Bethany Ave, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat in Cataldi Park, San Jose. 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. Spring is the time for controlling weeds and taking care of the young saplings.
 
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, May 30, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) 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.
 
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Briarwood Drive & Wawona Drive, San Jose
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!
 
(f) Fountain Thistle Work Party
Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: 125 Lessingia Ct · San Mateo, CA
Fountain thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. fontinale) is a federally endangered plant species that grows in an unusual and specialized habitat – serpentine seeps – and is only found at our work location and in a few other nearby locations on the Peninsula. Sturdy gloves are recommended; you might also want to wear long sleeves/pants and bring sunscreen, water, a hat and layered clothing. If you have them, bring tools, such as trowels, spades and shovels. Some tools will also be provided.
 
[4] Other Chapters & Organizations
 
(a) Among the Trees, Bushes & Flowers (Midpen)
Thursday, May 28, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Pulgas Ridge Preserve. Meet at the Pulgas Ridge Parking Area on Edmonds Rd. From I-280, exit Edgewood Road. Drive 0.75 miles on Edgewood Rd. toward San Carlos/Redwood City. Turn left (north) on Crestview Drive, then immediately turn left on Edmonds Road. Follow Edmonds Rd. to the preserve parking lot entrance on the right.
Enjoy a morning hike with Docent Naturalists Liz F. and Mallik K. to explore signs of spring. You’ll see a variety of wildflowers and blooming bushes, as well as a scenic view of the surrounding hills and the San Francisco Bay from the top of the ridge. This moderately-paced hike includes the Dick Bishop and Dusky-footed Woodrat trails and traverses several hills and uneven terrain. No dogs, please.
 
(b) Wildflower Appreciation Afternoon (Midpen)
Saturday, May 30, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. Meet at the North Ridge Parking Area on Skyline Boulevard. This entrance is next to the now closed Kings Mountain Country Store. The parking lot is 4.5 miles south of Highway 92, and 8.1 miles north of Highway 84.
Last year during the end of May, wildflowers were bursting along the North Ridge Trail, luring pollinators, songbirds, and human appreciators of beauty. Will the blossoms be as prolific and impressive this year? Come find out! Join Interpretive Specialist Katie Renz and Docent Naturalists Marie Faust Evitt and Alison Hurst for a leisurely-paced (but hilly), out-and-back hike.
 
(c) Ohlone Medicine (Midpen)
Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Long Ridge Preserve. Meet at Peters Creek Roadside Parking, on the west side of Skyline Boulevard, 3.6 miles north of Highway 9 or 3.3 miles south of Page Mill Road.
Discover and begin to recognize which plants local indigenous groups have used since time immemorial to treat a variety of ailments from loose teeth and thinning hair to headaches and chest congestion. Join Docent Naturalists Nancy Weintraub, Naureen Moon, and Noa Doitel on an exploration of the Peters Creek and Long Ridge trails with a lunch break overlooking the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There will be frequent stops to learn about the ethnobotany, or how people use plants medicinally and culturally, of this diverse habitat.
 
(d) Screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar"
Monday, June 15, 7-8:30 pm
Location: Congregation Etz Chayim - 4161 Alma St · Palo Alto
We are hosting a special screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar", a beautifully shot 60-minute documentary that reveals the vital role that caterpillars play in our ecosystems. From blooming meadows, to city parks and backyard gardens, this inspiring film celebrates the magic of nature, while showing families practical ways to make a difference. You'll see the groundbreaking work of The Caterpillar Lab, entomologist David Wagner and Doug Tallamy, co-founder of the Homegrown National Park.
Hand-on activity for children ages 6-10.
 
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