Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Apr 7, 2026

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Apr 7, 2026, 11:22:48 PM (5 days ago) Apr 7
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Dear Friends,

April is an exciting month for native plants and the chapter. We have both our Growing Natives Garden Tour and the Wildflower Show. All members should volunteer for one (or both) of these great events. And be sure to attend both to see some of the amazing natives that grow in our area! Learn about these and other upcoming events below.

[1] Upcoming Event
(a) Aging with Grace: The Life of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine 
Thursday, Apr 30, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
The Great Basin bristlecone pine is considered the longest-living organism on earth, with a confirmed living tree that is older than 5,000 years. How is this known? The science of dendrochronology analyzes the growth rings of trees, identifying their age and even informing our understanding of climate patterns. Above 10,000 ft elevation and east of the Sierra Nevada range, nutrient-poor alkaline soil is the only place where bristlecone pines can establish themselves with no other serious competitors. Tim Ashton's talk will cover some of the scientific discoveries the bristlecone pine has been part of, how its environment shapes it, and share images that demonstrate the facets of their life and growth that make them one of California’s most iconic native species. His book, Branches in Time: A Photographic Study of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, will be available for sale after the talk.
[2] Field Trip
 
(a) Calero Ranch - Pena and Figueroa Trail Hike
Sunday, April 12, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Calero Ranch, 23205 McKean Rd, San Jose
Enjoy the trails and the spectacular views of Calero Park. We will hike through mixed serpentine and enjoy different plant communities. The trail starts with some climb in grasslands, loops around chaparral before returning along a creek.
This hike will be about 3.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 580 feet. Some flowers seen in past years at this season include Buttercups, Lupins, Fiddlenecks, and Iris along with red wing blackbirds.
We meet at the main gate of Calero Park at 23205 McKean Road. Start time is 10 AM, and the trip is scheduled to complete at 3PM. Please bring sturdy shoes, appropriate layering, hat and lunch. Heavy rain cancels.RSVP is required to join us for the walk. Space is limited. No drop-ins please.
 
[3] Volunteers Needed
April Events are some of our largest, so we need lots of helpers to make them a success.
 
(a) Volunteers for the Wildflower Show
Saturday, April 11, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Table at the Farmers' Market
Saturday, April 18, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Table at the Farmers' Market
Friday, April 24 - Help with show setup.
Saturday, April 25 - Come make the show amazing!
Location: West Valley College in Saratoga
The wildflower show is one of our chapter’s largest events and usually draws over a thousand participants. By volunteering, you help introduce hundreds of native wildflowers to the community. Most roles do not require special skills. We will have dinner on Friday for setup volunteers and breakfast and lunch for Saturday helpers. The show is a fun, energetic place to see other members and learn about the amazing variety of native plants in our area, so sign up to volunteer today.
 
(b) Docents and Greeters for the 2026 Growing Natives Garden Tour
Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thank you to all the people already signed up as GNGT 2026 volunteers. There are a few more afternoon slots available, so if you haven't signed up yet, please do. The team will let you know where they need you.
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. 
 
(c) Greeter needed for library talk
Thursday, April 30, 6:30 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
Tim Ashton will be talking about Bristlecone Pines at the Los Altos library. We need one more greeter for this event. Worry not, if you are new to doing this! You will have an experienced volunteer with you to assist you. The responsibilities of the greeters are to staff the welcome table and answer basic questions about CNPS if attendees have any. Tables, chairs, and CNPS literature will be provided.
Please sign up on the link above if interested.
[4] Chapter Restoration Activities
Spring is the best time to learn about natives while helping the restoration projects. If you are new to native plants, signup to help in one of the gardens near you. Experts will teach you the skills you need to care for the plants in your own yard. 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, April 8, Saturday, April 11, and Monday, April 13, all 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, April 8 at 5:30 pm and Friday, April 10 from 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, April 11, 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. Spring is the time for controlling weeds and taking care of the young saplings.
 
(d) Habitat Restoration at Cunningham Park
Saturday, April 11, 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.
 
(e) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday, April 11, 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!
[5] Other Chapters & Organizations
 
(a) Restore Burrowing Owl Habitat - Grassroots Ecology
Friday April 10, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Alviso Bufferlands, 150 Nortech Pkwy San Jose
Together we will be working to improve habitat for the resident burrowing owl population. This winter we installed hundreds of California native plants which will attract this locally-threatened species' prey base (rodents and insects). At this workday, our habitat restoration tasks will be watering with buckets, weeding with hand tools, and potentially moving mulch with pitchforks and wheelbarrows. 
Activities involve bending, kneeling, and walking on uneven terrain while carrying supplies.
 
(b) Discover Coyote Valley Planning Field Station - OSA 
Saturday April 11, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, 550 Palm Avenue, Morgan Hill
Meet Open Space Authority staff and learn about plans for restoration, public access and agriculture in Coyote Valley.
Do you call Coyote Valley home? Are you a frequent visitor to its many unique open spaces? Or just curious to meet the folks planning the future of these landscapes? Then this event is especially for you!
Come to Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve where we will set up a planning station where you can meet Open Space Authority staff and learn about plans for restoration, public access and agriculture in Coyote Valley. Enjoy free snacks while viewing designs for the future of this landscape that will be on display.
 
(c) Tulare Hill: Restricted Access Hike - Saved by Nature
Saturday, April 11, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Tulare Hill Ecology Preserve: Meet at nearby coffee shop.
NOTE: This is a paid event.
Tulare Hill is closed to the public. On April 11, Saved By Nature is opening it for one day only. Walk through protected serpentine grassland habitat home to federally threatened wildlife and endangered native plants found almost nowhere else in the region. Explore terrain that the vast majority of Bay Area residents will never visit — guided by our expert naturalist team every step of the way. The experience ends with a catered hilltop lunch and panoramic views stretching across the valley. Two sessions. Twenty spots each. This is your only opportunity to access Tulare Hill this season.
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