Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Dec 17, 2025
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CNPS-SCV News
Dec 17, 2025, 11:09:28 AM (9 days ago) Dec 17
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Chapter Meetings
(a) Photo Group Meeting
Friday Dec 19, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The CNPS SCV Photo Group meets via Zoom on the fourth Friday, 7–9 pm. In this supportive peer group, beginners and experts are equally welcome. Folks who just want to see pictures and hear photo tips are welcome too. Register at the Meetup link; presenters can sign up for a 20-minute slot (via SignupGenius link in the event).
(b) 1st Day of Winter Bird and Plant ID Walk
Sunday Dec 21, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Lake Cunningham, Marina Parking Lot, San Jose
RSVP is required via the meetup link
With the onset of Winter, join us for a beginner’s bird and plant identification walk through Lake Cunningham Park. This lake is a major destination for waterfowl and migratory birds and its Native Garden draws many birds due to its habitat value. On this walk, Vicki Silvas-Young will show you how to identify the common birds of this area, while Arvind Kumar will identify the native plants that they depend on for food and shelter.
The distance is 2 miles round-trip on a level path. Bring a hat, water, your bird and plant lists, and binoculars. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
[2] Looking for volunteers
CNPS SCV is a volunteer-run organization looking for a few people to strengthen the team.
(a) Hospitality Chair
Our long-time, wonderful Hospitality Chair Vicki Silvas-Young has stepped down. We are looking for a new Hospitality Chair to oversee food and beverage arrangements at chapter events. 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. There may be other smaller events throughout the year, like the mailing party that's usually held in April. All of these events are staffed by volunteers and we provide food and drinks to make the experience more inviting.
Your main tasks include shopping for food and drinks, and directing volunteers with set up before events and clean up afterwards. If you have organized food for large gatherings before, then you already have what it takes! You do not need to be experienced in hospitality to volunteer for this role, and you will have other chapter volunteers assisting you throughout the events.
If you are interested, please email Janet Hoffman (ja...@cnps-scv.org) or Toni Gregorio-Bunch (tidyt...@gmail.com).
(b) CNPS Santa Clara Valley Nursery
Our search has yielded a couple of great volunteers who are already learning aspects of our nursery management. However, they cannot handle it alone so we are still in need of others in order to keep the nursery going. We need a few other dedicated people, preferably with botanical or horticultural experience, to help oversee and direct the nursery. Volunteers need to be able to commit to helping at least one day per week, preferably a weekday. The current team will be working with these volunteers to prepare them to step in and keep the nursery running smoothly starting next fall and continuing through at least 2027.
Nursery operation tasks include scheduling and oversight of plant production tasks, overseeing the maintenance of plants in the nursery and in the demonstration garden, managing upkeep of the nursery facilities, and organizing plant sales on a regular basis. Thank you to those of you who have already stepped forward. If you would like to join them and help save the nursery or just have questions, please contact Janet Hoffmann, Nursery Leadership Development Committee Lead at ja...@cnps-scv.org.
[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, Dec 17 and Monday, Dec 22, 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) Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday Dec 19, 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 Dec 20, 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 section of the park off Bethany Ave. We have planted more than 200 native plants over the last couple of years. Activities depend on the season. We start planting in late fall after the first rain and continue into the winter months as needed.
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, Dec 20, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Native Garden Parking Lot, Lake Cunningham — 2305 S. White Road, San Jose, San Jose
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park. See the Meetup link for detailed information about the location.
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, Dec 20, 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!
[4] Other Chapters & Organizations
(a) O'Neill Grant Recipients - CNPS Orange County
Thursday Dec 18, 7:00 pm
Location: Online
The winners of the CNPS - Orange County chapter's O'Neill grants, Mia Manfredi and Charles Boissavy present an online overview of their research. Mia is currently a second-year master’s student at California Botanic Garden where she is studying the disjunct distribution of Salvia funerea (Death Valley Sage).Charles is a third-year PhD student working with Dr. Travis Columbus where he is investigating the evolutionary relationships within Eriogonum, focusing on Eriogonum nudum (naked buckwheat). He is interested in how soil tolerance affects diversification and speciation within plants.
(b) Volunteer Outdoors in Alviso at the Burrowing Owl Project (18+) - Grassroots Ecology
Friday Dec 19, 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: 150 Nortech Pkwy, San Jose (see link for more details)
Support the local burrowing owl population by restoring habitat! It is offically planting season! Together we will be working to improve habitat for the resident burrowing owl population by planting California native plants. The plants we are installing will attract this endangered species' prey base (rodents and insects). We will be digging holes while bending, kneeling or sitting on the ground. We will also walk on uneven terrain while carrying supplies. The site is not open to the public because it is sensitive habitat for burrowing owls. Visit Grassroots Ecology’s webpage to learn more about entrance details, the ecosystem and accessibility considerations. Reservations required.
(c) Escape the Holiday Madness - Midpen
Saturday Dec 20, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Picchetti Ranch Preserve, Cupertino
Escape the holiday crowds! The weather is cooling and the rainy season is here. Observe the effects of the changing season on a wide variety of plant communities with Docent Naturalists Martin Manley, Dave Kocsis, and Linda Smith on this moderately-paced 4.5 mile hike along the Zinfandel and Orchard Loop trails. If the weather allows, you'll take a lunch break at the picnic tables by Stevens Creek.
(d) In Search of Manzanitas - Midpen
Sunday Dec 21, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Location: St. Joseph's Hill Preserve, Los Gatos
It’s the first day of winter! Join Docent Naturalists Nancy Weintraub, Emma Dohner, and Nick Yatsko to search for manzanitas and other winter-blooming plants. Learn about the importance of this keystone species in the past and present on this moderately-paced trek along the Jones, Novitiate, and Manzanita trails. On your way, you’ll discover some of the other native plants that flower even during this season of shorter days and colder temperatures. While looking up from the plants, you’ll have great views of the Lexington Reservoir.
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