Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - June 4, 2024

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CNPS-SCV News

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Jun 5, 2024, 12:32:23 AMJun 5
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Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:

[1] Edgewood Restoration
Friday June 7, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Varies - join the email group to receive weekly notices
https://www.cnps-scv.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/3302/-/friday-edgewood-restoration

The Edgewood Weed Warriors operate under a permit issued to the Friends of Edgewood. They meet regularly to remove invasive plants at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, thereby allowing for greater biodiversity, natural habitats, and those beautiful wildflower displays that everyone enjoys.

The Weed Warriors normally meet at 9:00 AM on Friday throughout the year and on Wednesday afternoons during daylight savings time. Special sessions may be added with notice given at the beginning of the month.

Notice of the meeting location and time for each session is sent to the Weed Warrior email group each week - do not go to the park and expect to find the weeding group if you are not on the email list. If you wish to be added to the Weed Warriors email, contact the Weed Warrior program coordinator, Paul Heiple, at weed-warriors-coord @ friendsofedgewood.org. New weeders must fill out forms before they come out. Contact vc @ friendsofedgewood.org for the form to fill out.

[2] Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday June 8, 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/301119220/

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! First-time volunteers will need to fill out a form from the City of San Jose available at https://lakecunninghamnativegarden.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/2021-volunteer-service-agreement-adoptapark-version.pdf

Wear a hat, gloves, and sturdy garden shoes. Bring plenty of fluids and hydrate often.

Directions: From Meridian Avenue, go east on Foxworthy Avenue. Turn left on Briarwood Drive and go about a block. The park is on your left. Park along Briarwood Drive. The garden is along the cement walkway that parallels the north edge of the park.

Workdays are sometimes rescheduled or canceled. Always RSVP to confirm, and check the latest updates Friday night. If you can't make it, please change your RSVP so we know and wait-listers get a chance.

[3] Forty Years of Change in a Serpentine Grassland, a talk by Lauren Hallett
Tuesday June 11, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Online (YouTube and Zoom)
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/301251997/

Serpentine grasslands support a relatively high proportion of California's endemic plant diversity, providing a colorful display every spring. Which species – and which colors – we see every year are highly variable. Here Professor Hallett shares findings from 40+ years of annually observing species composition in a serpentine grassland at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ‘Ootchamin ‘Ooyakma. She describes how gopher disturbance and climate variability generating a shifting mosaic of species abundances over space and time. While serpentine grasslands have largely resisted invasion by non-native grasses due to their harsh soil conditions, she outlines how atmospheric nitrogen deposition, especially in conjunction with high rainfall years, can facilitate invasion into the system. She will close with a discussion of management options to maintain serpentine plant diversity into the future.

This talk will be live-streamed on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@CNPSSantaClaraValley - registration not required) and on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwuce2spz4qEtJfI-9iP1_BVneCmErf0Vdw - registration required).

[4] Drought-tolerant Gardening for Native Bees, a talk by John Kehoe
Tuesday June 18, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Saratoga Library Program Room - 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter/events/300725782/

Note: This talk will be held in-person at the Saratoga library and will not be available online.

We all know about the European honey bee, but what about the native bees that live here in the Santa Clara Valley? These local insects help pollinate our ornamental and edible plants too! Once you know what to look for, you'll see over a dozen bee species that live in our urban setting-especially among locally-growing native plants. Find out how planting even a few select natives can enrich your garden, save water and attract even more native (and honey) bees.

John Kehoe is a longtime member of CNPS, iNaturalist, The Xerces Society and a certified California Naturalist. He is a regular volunteer at assorted Grassroots Ecology, Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful BioBlitz events as well as at various CNPS functions. His research interests include studying biodiversity, especially native bee ecology. He shares these interests by way of his photography on iNaturalist and Flickr.

[5] Greeters needed for talk
Tuesday June 18, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Saratoga Library Program Room - 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-library#/

John Kehoe will be speaking at the Saratoga library on "Drought-tolerant Gardening for Native Bees". We need two greeters 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 - 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. Questions? Contact Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com.

Here are some events from other chapters and organizations:

[6] Queer is Natural - by Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
Wednesday June 5, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Online
https://openspacetrust.org/event/queer-is-natural-online-event/

Did you know scientists have observed queerness in over 1500 species (and not just in captivity!)? Join Megan Nguyen (they/she) at POST and Dr. Christine Wilkinson, a renowned conservation scientist, science communicator, and National Geographic Explorer, as we delve into the complexities of queerness in nature. This event celebrates June LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the beauty of diversity in nature.

[7] Naturehood: Online Tools for a Native Plant Garden - by CNPS
Thursday June 6, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Online
https://www.cnps.org/event/naturehood-online-tools-for-a-native-plant-garden

Discover how to use online tools to plan, design, and cultivate your own vibrant and sustainable native garden paradise. From plant selection to landscape design, we'll guide you through the process for a thriving, water-wise landscape that celebrates the beauty of California's native plants.
Featuring experts from CNPS' Horticulture Program & Peter Brastow, the Senior Biodiversity Specialist and Yerba Buena Island Restoration Ecologist for the San Francisco Environment Department.
Register here: https://www.cnps.org/gardening/webinars

[8] Habitat Restoration Internship Info Session - by Grassroots Ecology
Friday June 7, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Online
https://www.grassrootsecology.org/event-calendar/2024/6/7/habitat-restoration-internship-42dx7-4p6gy-agglt-ga4zs-gnmdp-ncm6e-w77wt-d6xp-

Learn more about the Habitat Restoration Internship by attending this virtual informational session.

Grassroots Ecology's 10-month paid habitat restoration internship allows emerging professionals to explore the environmental conservation career path through hands-on fieldwork, community engagement, and in-depth training. The program's goal is to support personal and professional growth for those underrepresented in the environmental field, such as those identifying as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, low-income, and/or first-generation college students. Responsibilities include invasive plant management, native plant revegetation, site maintenance (e.g. watering, mulching), volunteer facilitation, and monitoring.

A total of 6-8 interns will be hired. Interns will be assigned to work alongside Grassroots Ecology staff.

[9] Cleanuperrific! Coyote Creek cleanup event - by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
Sunday June 9, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: La Ragione - 2467 La Ragione Ave., San Jose
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cleanuperrific-coyote-creek-cleanup-event-registration-895671165567

Help us beautify Coyote Creek through a community cleanup. Meet new people; improve a neighborhood park; watch the birds; build community around a shared sense of service.
Free litter kits! Groups Welcome. Community service hours available.

[10] Wonders of Cherry Springs - by Midpen
Monday June 10, 9:35 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Sierra Azul Preserve
https://www.openspace.org/events/guided-activities/wonders-cherry-springs-10

Join docent Naturalists Greg Azevedo and Frances Reneau for a leisurely-paced hike at a limited access area that will traverse mixed evergreen forest and grassland and includes a 500-foot elevation gain segment. You'll discuss local history, learn about the pond environment and flora of the area, and enjoy views of Santa Clara Valley. Reservations are required will close June 7 at 2:00 PM.

[11] Morning Hike at Bear Creek Redwoods - by Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
Monday June 10, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve - 19350 Bear Creek Rd, Los Gatos
https://openspacetrust.org/event/morning-hike-at-bear-creek-redwoods/


Join us for this beautiful hike! A POST volunteer will share a few words about POST's decades of conservation success before the hiking group explores a moderately strenuous but mostly shaded 5.4 mile hike with ~900 feet of elevation gain.

In one of the county's best preserved, second-growth coastal redwood forests, we'll also pass extensive areas of Douglas fir and oak woodland, as well as a few remaining old-growth redwoods. The proximity to the San Andreas fault results in a unique geology and landscape, while there are many remnants of a rich cultural history of the region.

[12] Everything that didn't work: Lessons from my journey as a science communicator by Michelle Fullner - by CNPS
Monday June 10, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Online
https://www.cnps.org/event/everything-that-didnt-work-lessons-from-my-journey-as-a-science-communicator-by-michelle-fullner

Join us to learn how to be an effective speaker about science topics!

Our speaker, Michelle Fullner, is the host of the Golden State Naturalist podcast (Instagram). One essential aspect of learning a new skill is learning how not to do the new skill. In her presentation, Michelle will share her early failures and misconceptions around being a science communicator. Don't worry, she'll also share what's working and lessons learned along the way.

Some of those lessons include:
  •     Getting comfortable with failure
  •     Deep listening
  •     Understanding your audience (and your relationship with your audience)
  •     Finding a niche
  •     Speaking from your own unique identity and experience in a way no one else can
Michelle hopes you'll leave the talk feeling more empowered than ever to share your passion for native plants with others.

[13] Native Plant and Pollinator Day - by Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation
Saturday June 15, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Martial Cottle Park, San Jose
https://parks.sccgov.org/native-plant-and-pollinator-day

Celebrate National Pollinator Week by joining Martial Cottle Park at their 3rd Annual Native Plant and Pollinator Day event. Learn about the importance of pollinators and how native plants help them. CNPS will have a booth here to promote the message of the importance of native plants for pollinators. We would love your help! If you are interested in helping staff the booth, please email Priya at: priya4cnps @ gmail.com

Native Plant and Pollinator Guided Walk:
There will be a 30-minute guided walk which will take place on paved paths (0.5 mile round trip). Families are encouraged to attend. Meet at the Martial Cottle Park Partner Lot at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM to join. Space is limited on the guided walk. Registration is recommended for the walk. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/native-plant-and-pollinator-day-walk-tickets-890515284187

Besides the guided walk, you will be able to enjoy exhibitor booths, crafts and activities which will run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Questions?  Do not reply to this email - instead, please direct your questions to: info @ cnps-scv.org.
For more information about chapter activities, be sure to check the latest Blazing Star and our chapter website - cnps-scv.org. We also recommend joining our Meetup group to receive a notification when we schedule new activities, including field trips.  Not a member of CNPS yet? Join here.

California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter
Find us on the web at cnps-scv.org, and follow us on FacebookMeetup, and Instagram.
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