Upcoming CNPS SCV Events and Activities - Nov 11, 2025
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CNPS-SCV News
Nov 11, 2025, 6:21:55 PMNov 11
to CNPS-SCV News
Dear friends,
Check out our chapter's upcoming events:
[1] Chapter Meetings
(a) Wreath-making with native plants - a talk and demo by Jill Sowards
Nov 17, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM PST
In this talk, Jill will demonstrate how to make a seasonal dried flower wreath using sustainable materials, with a focus on native California plants. She'll share techniques for drying flowers and creating the wreath, demonstrate how to start and finish your creation, and identify some useful garden flowers you can start in the ground now to enjoy next year.
(b) Native Plant ID
Nov 18, check Meetup for details a few days beforehand
We have moved the November meeting up a week, to November 18, to avoid Thanksgiving conflicts. Instead of meeting as usual at the Peninsula Conservation Center, we’ve arranged for a visit to the herbarium at San Jose State University. To limit our attendance at this special meeting, we’ll offer it first to past Plant ID attendees and then post the meeting on Meetup closer to the date if space is still available.
[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 directed 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...@hoffmann.net) or Toni Gregorio-Bunch (tidyt...@gmail.com).
(b) CNPS Santa Clara Valley Nursery
Our search has yielded a couple of great volunteers who 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 week day. 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 Nov 12 and Monday Nov 17, 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 Nov 14, 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) Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park
Saturday Nov 15, 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) SOAR BioBlitz
Saturday Nov 15, 8:30 am – 1 pm
Location: West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070 (in the Moon Garden of the Biology Department)
Join Stanford Dirzo Lab and West Valley students for a WVC campus BioBlitz. There will be nature walks, native plant garden tours, beginning birding, games, and snacks. The event is open to the public is free and kid friendly. Free parking in lot 2.
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