Kern Chapter Logo

The Kern Chapter of the California Native Plant Society was reconstituted in late 2013 after a period of dormancy. We have a core group of enthusiastic members who pitch in to keep the chapter up and running. While some of us are professional botanists, most are simply interested in California wildflowers and native plants. We hold regular monthly meetings through the spring, early summer, and fall months. We also take several botanical field trips to areas in and near Kern County in spring during the wildflower bloom period.

If you want more information about our activities, would like to volunteer at one of our work parties, or join us on one of our field trips, contact either Rich Spjut, Paul Gipe or any of the members listed on our Executive Committee page.

Our 2017 plant sale at Cal State Bakesfield. Plant sales have been moved online post pandemic.
Our 2017 plant sale at Cal State Bakesfield. Plant sales have been moved online post pandemic.

Gardening

In addition to our annual plant sales, we share our garden experience at our monthly meetings.

Lucy Clark and Donna Rodriguez installing the drip irrigation on a recently transplanted valley oak.
Lucy Clark and Donna Rodriguez installing the drip irrigation on a recently transplanted valley oak.

Work Parties

Join us in our local conservation project — we are reintroducing the rare  Bakersfield Cactus (Opuntia basilaris treleasei) as well as valley oaks (Quercus lobata) to Nature Conservancy properties near Caliente, California.

April 2017 Mimulus pictus picnic at Lucy Clark's and Clyde Golden's homestead near Woody.
April 2017 Mimulus pictus picnic at Lucy Clark’s and Clyde Golden’s homestead near Woody.

Monthly Meetings

We hold regularly monthly meetings during the spring, early summer, and the fall.

Toll House Ranch field trip on TNC property near Caliente, California.
Toll House Ranch field trip on TNC property near Caliente, California.

Botanical Field Trips

During the spring and early summer we take a number of botanical field trips to areas in Kern County. These are not hikes as such. They proceed at a “botanical pace.”