California Native Plant Society

Evening Programs

Register for these Zoom presentations on our website, and look there to see if in-person has become an option.

December 8, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. “Research on Forest Trees, California Pitcher Plant, and Lichens.” Three recipients of our chapter’s research grants tell what they did. Sophia Lemmo measured and cored trees in 54 plots throughout our heavily timbered, diverse mountains to learn what died, what survived, and what regenerated before, during, and after the 2015 drought. Megan Teigen sampled many pitchers of California Pitcher Plant in three fens to study the bacteria living there and digesting the insects trapped by this carnivorous plant. In thedramatic, botanically and geologically rich setting of the Horse Mountain Botanical Area Sarah Norvell focused on the lichens, documenting all the macrolichens in hopes of creating a species list.

Sophia Lemmo coring old growth. By Rosalia Gonzalez

January 12, Wednesday. 7:30 p.m. “Restoring Watersheds in Prairie Creek.” Restoration of the Prairie Creek watershed, from its headwaters to its confluence with Redwood Creek, has been a major focus for Leonel Arguello, Chief of Resource Management and Science for Redwood National and State Parks. From Redwood Creek Estuary, to Redwoods Rising, to the Bald Hills, Arguello will share some of the excitement of these important restoration projects happening in the forests and prairies of our parks.

Field Trips

Vaccinated people only. Bring a mask.

December 5, Sunday. Sue-meg State Park Day Hike. A new name, but the same great park. Let’s look for signs of spring as we settle into winter. Seedlings and flower buds will be there. We will walk 2-3 miles on park paths. Contact Carol at 707-822-2015 or theralphs@humboldt1.com for details.

January 8, Sunday. Destination to be decided.

The Power of Your Voice

by Carol Ralph

In a recent presentation for the Friends of the Chico State Herbarium, recently retired Forest Service botanists Julie Kierstead and Linnea Hanson emphasized an important point: The public’s opinion is way more important to the managers of our natural areas than is the advice of their professional employees.One public comment outweighs all the reports and talk from staff. When a citizen says he cares about native plants, the Forest supervisor, district ranger, or BLM manager listens. Use your power! Tell them where you enjoy hiking, where you find fun plants, and what you saw the cows doing!

Retired Forest Service Botanist Julie Kierstead.

Source: cnps.org

Native Plants for the Garden

Until Dec.15 our nursery-grown native plants are for sale every day, 12-6 p.m. at the Kneeland Glen Farmstand at Freshwater Farms Reserve, 5851 Myrtle Ave., Eureka. After that, check our website plant sale page to see where to buy plants.