Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - June 24, 2025

[CNPS-SCV News]

Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
 
[1] Native Plant Walk at Sierra Azul - Mount Umunhum Trail (San Jose)
Thursday, June 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Bald Mountain Parking, Los Gatos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/307128746/
 
Enjoy the San Jose hills hiking through Sierra Azul Park with Tom Lee. The trail passes through serpentine grasslands, chaparral and oak woodlands, each offering varying native plants. The trail is 2.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 357 feet. The trail has moderate terrain and ends at the Guadeloupe Creek Overlook of the South Bay.
 
Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Wear appropriate layering and a hat. Bring snacks, a sack lunch, and liquids for the day.
 
Directions:  We'll meet at the Bald Mountain parking lot, which is on Mount Umunhum Road, 1.7 miles from Hicks Road in San Jose. There is a restroom at the parking lot. The meeting time is 10AM, and the hike should complete at 2:00 pm. Parking is somewhat limited so please be on time.
 
RSVP is required to join us for the walk. Space is limited. No drop-ins please.
 
[2] California's Vegetation Communities Through Time, a talk by Dr. Katie Glover
Thursday, June 26, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Los Altos Library Orchard Room, 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/307845059/
 
Note: This talk is in-person only.
 
California's iconic landscapes and vegetation communities have long been shaped by dynamic climate and terrestrial processes. In this talk, hear how research in paleoecology that used California's fossil record from lake cores and the La Brea Tar Pits shows how ecosystems shifted in response to climate change and fire during the last Ice Age. The tools and botanical evidence used in these studies are powerful to help us understand landscape response before human-induced impacts, and to inform the changes we can expect in a warmer world.
 
Speaker bio:
Dr. Katie Glover s lifelong love for lakes and landscapes led to teaching environmental science curriculum, and researching Ice Age landscape change in North America. During her Ph.D. in Geography at UCLA, she developed a 120,000-year environmental history from lake sediment cores in the San Bernardino Mountains and worked with the La Brea Tar Pits fossil plant collection. Katie is the Associate Director of Environmental Education at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ( Ootchamin  Ooyakma), and is grateful that she can highlight the beauty and complexity of California's native ecosystems.
 
[3] Photo Group Meeting
Friday June 27, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Online
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/306327884/
 
The Photo Group meets via Zoom on the fourth Friday of every month. 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. Share your pictures, techniques, and ideas via Zoom. Slots are 20 minutes each. If you have pictures to share, sign up for a slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-cnps18#/
 
[4] Members Only Field Trip to Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Thursday, July 3 - Monday, July 7
Location: Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
https://www.cnps-scv.org/activities/field-trips
 
Note: This trip is open to CNPS members only.
 
Fred and Patricia Evans invite you to join them at their cabin in Arnold for three days of wildflower hikes over the July 4 weekend. Arrive July 3, hike July 4-6 and travel home on July 7 pm. Attendees will explore Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the Pacific Crest Trail at Ebbetts Pass and one other location TBD (three elevations from 4000  to 8736 ). It will be spring at Ebbett s pass and the wildflowers will be amazing! The cabin sleeps 11 in beds (with 7 in a dorm) and there are two futons, room for tents on the porch or in the yard, and two small RVs or vans can hook to electricity in the driveway. We will carpool each day to hike. Dinners will be potluck every night, breakfast and lunch on your own, and popcorn is provided. Housecleaning cost (about $250) will be divided between participants.
 
This trip is open to CNPS members only. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Patricia at patriciaaevans28 @ gmail.com or call (650) 949-2801.
 
[5] 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 June 28, 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/308372105/
 
Join us to restore habitat (weeding and mulching) in the Native Garden at Lake Cunningham Park.
 
[b] Habitat Restoration at Cataldi Park
Saturday May 10, 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/308373236/
 
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.
 
[c] Community Work Day at Kirk Park
Saturday, June 28, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Kirk Park Native Garden - Briarwood Drive at Wawona Drive, San Jose
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/308373519/
 
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.
 
[d] Friday Edgewood Restoration
Friday, June 20, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/11417/-/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.