Newsletter 2003 March – April
California Native Plant Society
Orange County Chapter Newsletter
March/April 2003
Newsletter
| Calendar of Events
Mar 1……………………… Chapter Council Meeting Mar 6…………………………………………. Board Meeting Mar15…………………………………… Crystal Cove Walk Mar 20…………………………………….. Chapter Meeting Mar 29………………………. Limestone Canyon/Sinks FT Apr 3…………………………………………. Board Meeting Apr 5………………………… Spring Plant Sale at TOL Apr 12……………………………… Santa Rosa Plateau FT April 17…………………………………...Plant ID Workshop Apr 19…………………………………… Crystal Cove Walk Apr 26………………………………….. Tecate Cypress FT May 1………………………………………… Board Meeting May 3-4 ………………………..trip full San Diego Co. FT May 17-18………………………….. Native Plant Gardens Thursdays 10-1…………………………….. UCI arboretum Chapter meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters at 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30. Wildflower posters and a wide variety of books are available at the meeting Directions: From the Santa Ana Freeway (I 5) exit on Sand Canyon Road west. Pass Irvine Center Drive. Turn left at the next light onto Waterworks Road, then left into the IRWD parking lot. From the 405 exit east on Sand Canyon/Shady Canyon, turn right on Waterworks and left into the parking lot. Enter the building from the rear. |
A call for gardens…
The Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is sponsoring a tour of native plant gardens on May 17 and 18, 2003.
If your home landscape features California Native Plants please consider opening your garden to the appreciative public.
Welcomed are every garden from the “100% pure bioregional plant community” type to the integrated garden featuring native specimen plants performing with exotic pals.
For more information or to sign up, please contact: Sarah Jayne at 949.552.0691-sbjayne@cox.net-
Our mission is to increase understanding of California’s flora and to preserve this rich resource for future generations.
SPRING PLANT SALE
APRIL 5, 9 AM TO 3 PM
Join us at Tree of Life Nursery for a breath of spring in the countryside. Add some new life to your garden.
Most Southern California native plants prefer fall planting, but there are many that do very well when planted in the spring and let’s face it—spring is the time when we most feel like planting!
On this day, one of their regular Saturdays open to retail, Tree of Life Nursery very generously shares a portion of their profit with the Orange County CNPS chapter. We supply extra personnel, chapter members, to assist with appropriate selection and they share funds that keep our programs going.
If you haven’t visited the nursery, this is a really good excuse to do so. Located next to Caspers Wilderness Park, the area is still “country”. Huge old sycamores hover over the natural and planted native landscape. As an aid to selection, sample gardens show off mature plants in a variety of settings. A charming circular hay-bale structure houses the sales center where there’s a little hospitality center as well.
Directions: To get to Tree of Life Nursery, take the Ortega Highway (Hwy 74) east at San Juan Capistrano for about 5 miles. The nursery is on the left. If you reach Caspers Park, you have gone too far.
Chapter Meetings
Thursday, March 20—Threats and Opportunities in Conserving the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor
Speaker: Claire Schlotterbeck
To date 4,000 acres have been saved on the west and 13,000 acres in the east in this “Hot Spot” of Biodiversity. But the task is not finished. Six thousand acres remain at risk as does the $200 million public agencies have spent so far to protect the land. Threats to the integrity of Chino Hills State Park, its borders, and the Wildlife Corridor continue to emerge. Oil companies and a rogue city have development plans that will sever the corridor. Currently, Hills For Everyone is heavily engaged in the protection of the “Missing Middle” of the Wildlife Corridor. Tonner Canyon and the hills between Harbor Boulevard in La Habra Heights and the 57 Freeway in Brea are threatened by major development projects. If these lands are developed, wildlife in the western part of the hills will become isolated and die out. Protection of the “Missing Middle” is essential to the health of the entire Corridor and the livability of the communities in this region. This presentation will address these and other conservation related issues.
Claire Schlotterbeck is Executive Director of Hills For Everyone and has been involved in preservation of the Puente-Chino Hills for over two decades, playing a key role in the formation of the 13,000-acre Chino Hills State Park. She is a Board Member of the statewide Planning and Conservation League and a member of their Diversity Committee. Claire also serves as a Board Member of UCLA UniCamp, UCLA’s official charity. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UCLA and a Master of Science from Purdue University.
Active in her own community, she helped create the Brea Senior Center and the Brea Community Center. Former Assemblyman Dick Ackerman selected Claire as “Woman of the Year in the 72nd Assembly District” in 1998. In August 2001 she was honored as one of six nationwide recipients of the Chevron Corporation Conservation Award. In March, 2002 she was honored by the California State Park Ranger Association as the Honorary State Park Ranger of the Year
Visit the Hills For Everyone website at hillsforeveryone.org for maps, pictures and more information about this important conservation effort.
Thursday, April 17—Plant Identification Workshop: The Asteraceae(!)
Ahh, the Asteraceae, the Sunflower Family, the largest plant family in California—and some of the most challenging to identify. These may be annuals, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and even trees, but they share one thing in common: When in flower, what appears to be a single flower is, in fact, a cluster of many tiny flowers. To further complicate matters, the cluster may be composed two different kinds of flowers that might be male or female or sterile. So large is the family that it has been divided into tribes of many genera each of which contains numerous species.
After a few slides showing locally common species, we will define some of the terms that are important in identifying composite flowers. Using those characteristics, we will look at some plant samples and attempt to sort them into groups. Tools and the resources will be provided. You will provide the curiosity and eagerness to learn. Our plant identification workshops are designed to be fun and informative.
Fred Roberts will be on hand to discuss this complicated family, show some pictures, and assist with identification. Hooray!
Coming in May—Dragonflies!.
CONSERVATION
UCI’s Orange County Annual Survey Findings Echo Heart and Soul Coalition Concerns :
The latest survey of Orange County residents shows their most pressing concerns are population growth and traffic congestion. That shouldn’t be surprising to those of us who work and live in Orange County. Hopefully, it shouldn’t be surprising either to County planners responsible for minimizing impacts from major new developments, such as the 14,000 unit Rancho Mission Viejo proposal. And, it should have an impact on their recommendations. The Heart and Soul Coalition has been supporting County Supervisor Tom Wilson’s SCORE process because it ensures public participation in the planning of RMV. The Coalition has been urging a “win-win” solution—a collaborative process with the landowners—to ensure development is science-driven and responsive to the public, and sustains our economy and business environment so good employees can be attracted and retained. This solution must also balance the need for new housing, with the need to preserve our natural treasures, our clean air and clean water, and our quality of life for our children and future generations. According to the Annual Survey, Orange County residents agree.
Important Year Ahead: Building on the success and momentum of last year, 2003 will be a very important year for the Coalition and planning for the future quality of life of our region. State and federal agencies are hard at work evaluating scientific data on the various options for the proposed RMV development. With that information, County Supervisor Tom Wilson’s SCORE process will be able to take the next step, working with its broad base of members and with public participation to determine what makes the most sense for the RMV property. The Heart and Soul Coalition believes a solution can be achieved whereby RMV would be able to build in less sensitive parts of its 23,000-acre property, while preserving some of the last special lands available in Orange County for future generations. We hope to be able to work with the RMV Company on what could become the “ultimate legacy” of a state and national model for such a balanced approach to development.
Heart and Soul Coalition Continues to Grow: Community residents, educators, businesses, local officials, major local, regional and national environmental organizations and others continue to join. The level of interest and support has been very impressive. It clearly demonstrates the high level of public interest in participating in the future of the proposed RMV development. We encourage our current members to tell their friends and neighbors about us and invite them to join The Heart and Soul Coalition.
If you would like us to send information about The Heart and Soul Coalition to your friends, neighbors and colleagues, please contact us. The Coalition is growing daily and your support, and that of other members of the community, is critical to our success! Please visit our web site at www.ocheartandsoul.org or call Brenda Stouffer, project manager, at 949.388.4924 for more information and updates on our activities. Thank you for your commitment and support. We welcome your participation!
Brenda Stouffer, Project Manager, Heart and Soul Coalition
32545 B Golden Lantern #478, Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone: 949.388.4924, Fax: 949.388.4679, Cell: 949.842.1979
Website: ocheartandsoul.org
Email: bstouffer@ocheartandsoul.org
OC CNPS is a member of this group whose mission is “Saving Orange County’s Natural Treasures for Our Children”.
Southern California CNPS Chapters Meet to Discuss Conservation Issues
OC CNPS representatives Dave Bramlet, Celia Kutcher and J. Spence McIntyre joined representatives of the other eight southern California chapters at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center on February 15. Each chapter is facing difficult, complex conservation issues that have no easy solutions. Much discussion was centered on how to preserve habitats and rare species in face of the development juggernaut. Some answers: 1) force the agencies & other government entities to enforce their own laws/rules by bringing lawsuits and (unwelcome) media attention; 2) organize to be on constant alert against new threats, become knowledgeable about how to fend them off, and don’t hesitate to apply that knowledge; 3) work to educate everybody about biodiversity and why it’s so important.
—Celia Kutcher
An Opportunity to Participate in the Process
The Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, is in the process of revising management strategies of four national forests in Southern California. They are holding (and have held) a series of open houses to invite input on the six preliminary alternatives that they will be analyzing over the next several months. A lot of interest groups are eager to gain a larger share of forest usage. Our input is very important.
For the Cleveland National Forest, two dates are still coming up: March 8 (Saturday) at the Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, 10 AM to 2 PM, and March 13 (Thursday), Corona Public Library, 650 S. Main Street, Corona, 5 PM to 8:30 PM. Though notice is short, please make an effort to stop in at one of the two. In Fall 2003, the draft Forest Plans and the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will be available for comprehensive review and comment. Our Conservation Committee will try to keep you informed.
Further budget cuts in weed programs
Although all programs should be required to sacrifice to deal with the state budget deficit, two of the programs of most direct concern to CNPS—California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Biological Control Program and its Weed & Vertebrate Program (aka Weed Eradication Program)—have taken disproportionate hits in the free-for-all budget cutting in Sacramento. Of all CDFA’s programs, those that addressed weed problems in wildlands, were singled out for decimation. The Weed & Vertebrate Program is devoted to eradicating incipient infestations of pest plants and animals before they become problems. The Biological Control Program researches biological agents to control weeds such as yellow starthistle and tamarisk (saltcedar) that are too widespread to be controlled by other means. Both programs have already taken severe administrative hits in the 2002-03 budget and now the governor’s 2003-04 budget proposes further hits, reducing both programs to skeleton staffs. This is a nightmarish scenario. The programs were already under-funded. Con-sidering the economic and ecological devastation caused by invasive plants and animals, the consequences ensuing from gutting these programs is too awful to think about.
What would be lost if the cuts go through? Certainly much of the biocontrols release and monitoring work, such as that on yellow starthistle, purple loosestrife, bull thistle, and spotted knapweed. Also, cooperative biocontrols projects with scientists worldwide, including researchers for the International Broom Initiative, will be endangered. Another serious loss would be the state’s ability to eradicate early infestations of A-rated weeds around the state. The crew of district biologists will have gone from eight to as low as two—statewide! Incipient populations of spotted knapweed, leafy spurge, and scotch thistle coming into northern counties from Oregon and Nevada will become full-fledged invasions. There will be less, if any, assistance coordinating local weed efforts and providing mapping support. (For more detail on the activities of CDFA’s weed programs, see cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/)
These cuts cash in on one of the most cost-effective investments we can make in keeping our land healthy for the future. The weeds we don’t control now will cost us exponentially more in the future, both in control costs and in losses to agricultural production and ecosystem services. Whatever small amount is saved in this year’s budget will become a huge cost down the line. Why these programs were hit harder than other programs is not clear, but presumably they are considered to not have strong enough constituencies. Let’s prove them wrong. While the first round of cuts to CDFA’s weed programs happened with no opportunity for public comment, this round is different. The budget committees of the Senate and Assembly will now begin reviewing the draft budget, and we can voice our support for programs on the chopping block.
We have two key targets: the Budget Subcommittees on Natural Resources in the Assembly and the Senate. These subcommittees will make recommendations on the part of the budget concerning the CDFA weed programs. Please write: Hon. Byron Sher, Chair Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources State Senate Sacramento, California 95814 and Hon. Fran Pavley, Chair Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources, State Assembly, Sacramento, California 95814 Be sure to cc your Assembly and Senate representatives.
—Jake Sigg, State CNPS Invasive Exotics
415-731-3028 jakesigg@earthlink.net
To get the addresses of your legislators, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and enter your zip code. You’ll find everything you need there.
UCI ARBORETUM WEED WAR INTENSIFIES!
Weeds in the UCI Arboretum’s California Native Collection gained an advantage when rain and the flu bug seriously curtailed our weeding campaign for almost a month. But the rain has also made the ground just right for pulling weeds. And it’s especially important to get them out now, before they go to seed and leave a legacy of even more weeds next year.
The few, the dedicated, the Weed Crew would love it if you’d join us! Just come to the Arboretum on Thursdays around 9:30 AM. We work until around 1:30, but it’s OK to work for just an hour or so. Hat, gloves, water, sturdy work shoes, sunscreen are advised; bring your favorite weeding implement if possible. Canceled if more than 1/4” of rain within 12 hours; if in doubt call Celia Kutcher, 949-496-9689 before 8:30 Thursday morning.
Directions: from 405, go south on Jamboree to Campus Dr. Turn left on Campus, then immediately right on an unnamed campus service road. Turn left into the Arboretum gate, park on the gravel behind the greenhouse.
Tis the Season…
Wildflower Hotlines & Websites*
With the wildlands and our spirits refreshed by good rains, it is time to visit the wildflowers. The following resources will help in locating when and where the blooms are happening.
Anza-Borrego Wildflower Hotline
760-767-4684—Recorded information
<www.california-desert.org/start_main.html>
California Wildflower Hotsheet
<www.calphoto.com/wflower.htm>
Favorite spots for the photographer. Sponsored by Carol Leigh, author of 88 California Wildflower Locations.
Death Valley National Park
760-786-2331—Press 1, then 5 for recorded message.
<www.death.valley.national.park.com/address.htm>
Joshua Tree National Park
760-367-5500—Press 1, then 9, for recorded message.
<www.joshua.tree.national-park.com>
Theodore Payne Foundation Wildflower Hotline
818-768-3533—Taped wildflower reports for Southern California. Update every Thursday, March through May.
<www.theodorepayne.org>
*Thanks to Yerba Buena News, newsletter of the Yerba Buena chapter, San Francisco and northern San Mateo Coounty.
Report from Harding Canyon
Bob Allen and Chris Barnhill explored the area on March 1 and declared that Spring has arrived there! Some plants are blooming—Dichelostema pulchellum, Lupinus hirsutissimus, Caulanthus heterophyllus among them—and many others are on the way. Check it out, but watch for poison oak.
FIELD TRIPS
For more information or to make reservations (if required) for a field trip, contact Sarah Jayne at 949-552-0691 or sbjayne@cox.net.
March 29 (Saturday)—Limestone Canyon and the Sinks
This area off Santiago Canyon Road is part of the Irvine Company Open Space Reserve. It is managed by The Nature Conservancy and is accessible only through docent-led tours. The terrain is quite varied. There are dripping springs with lush ferns, riparian woodlands with great old sycamores, grasslands recovering from years of ranching, and Orange County’s mini “Grand Canyon”. There may be Chocolate Lilies along the way.
Be ready for a moderately paced walk of about 5 miles. Bring lunch, water, etc. Meet at 9 AM at the Blackstar Canyon staging area. Reservations are required.
To get there: Take Santiago Canyon Road to Silverado Canyon Road. Blackstar Canyon Road is a short way down on the left.
April 4-6 (Friday-Sunday)—CNPS Desert Field Trip/Meeting
CNPS members are invited to attend a field trip on April 4-6 at Joshua Tree National Park. We will be camping at the Lost Horse Campground, reserved especially for our group. We will have field trips, some weeding, a meeting (Saturday late afternoon / evening), followed by a campfire sing-along / music making session (bring your guitar / fiddle / harmonica / mandolin / drum / etc. if you have one). The meeting is to discuss current environmental issues facing the desert and how CNPS can empower volunteers to get involved. The Friday morning agenda is optional, so it is OK to arrive late Friday afternoon or evening or to arrive Saturday morning before 10am. There has been rainfall in the desert this winter so we are hoping for wildflowers.
Please RSVP Steve Hartman at naturebase@aol.com or call 818-881-3706. Detailed instructions will be sent via email to all respondents prior to trip.
April 12 (Saturday)—Santa Rosa Plateau
This unique and beautiful area is a monument to grass-roots preservation efforts. Woodlands give way to native grass meadows with lovely, blue-tinged Englemann Oaks spotted about. Large vernal pools dot the upper mesas. This could be prime bloom time for many bulbs and annuals.
This joint trip with the Sierra Club will be a slow and easy walk through the ecological Reserve, 5 miles, 300’ gain.
Meet at 8 AM at the North Orange County Rideshare at the Park-N-Ride, E side of Tustin Av just S of Lincoln Av, Orange, or 9 AM at the Reserve Visitor Center. Bring water, lunch, lug soles, $2 donation to the reserve. Rain cancels. CNPS member Gabriele Rau will lead for Sierra Club.
Directions to the Reserve: From I-15 south, exit on Clinton KIeith Road and head west. Stay on this road through Murietta, up the hill and look for signs for the Reserve Visitor Center on the left.
April 26 (Saturday)—Tecate Cypress/Coal Canyon
Joint trip with the Southern California Botanists.
Alan Romspert and Allan Schoenherr are teaming up to lead this field trip to check out the recovery from the recent fire, looking for seedlings of Tecate Cypress and searching for such things as Braunton’s Milkvetch and Heart-leaved Pitcher Sage.
Thanks to The Nature Conservancy we will have the rare opportunity to travel to Coal Canyon by entering the Santa Ana Mountains through beautiful Fremont Canyon. This will require 4-wheel drive vehicles; however, we will meet in Irvine Park where those folks who are 4-wheel challenged can jump in with someone who is appropriately equipped.
We will meet at 9 AM at parking lot 15 inside Irvine Park. Parking is $4.00/car at the gate to the park. Please make a reservation and indicate need to carpool.
To reach the park: Take the Chapman Avenue exit east off the 55 Fwy. Continue until it meets Jamboree on the right and turn left. The park entrance is just around the bend.
May 3 and 4 (Saturday and Sunday)—Botanical Exploration along the US-Mexico Border
Joint trip with the San Diego Chapter
Anyone wishing to get on the waiting list for this trip should contact Mark Elvin at 760-942-5147, 760-419-3359, mmeL2@sciti.com. He needs to know what kind of hike you can handle: Category I—Roadside botanizing; Category II—a few light hikes into fields, light brush; Category III—a couple of moderate multi-hour hikes into brush; Category IV—a couple of moderate to hard hikes or one long hike up and down 200 to 300 foot hills on a pack trail or through brush;
Category V—BIG LONG HARD hike (eg., from the top of Otay Mountain aat 3500’ elevation down through brush to the US/Mexican Border at about 950’ then back to the top by different route. Include your phone number and 4wd status.
It is going to be an amazing trip!
Information on final details will be disseminated to those who are signed up.
May 17-18 (Saturday and Sunday)—Field Trip for the Hardy: Idria Serpentine/Joaquin Rocks
Once again this spring the Bureau of Land Management, Hollister Field Office, and many CNPS chapters, will cosponsor a fascinating, rugged field trip to southern San Benito and western Fresno counties. Our trip will begin at the BLM Hollister Field Office at 9 AM Saturday morning on May 17, returning late afternoon on Sunday the 19th. We will approach the Idria serpentine from the east via Panoche Road through Griswold Canyon, up through the historic mining town of Idria.
Our trip will include several stops to observe plant community composition and to eat lunch, as we meander through the geologically diverse terrain. We will traverse the higher elevations of the Clear Creek Management Area, through the unique San Benito Mountain forest (containing Jeffrey and Coulter pines, plus hybrids between the two species), with a final destination at the Joaquin Rocks for dinner and camping. Sunday morning we will botanize around the Rocks and develop a plant list. After lunch we will begin our journey back to the Hollister Field office and then home.
Expect to experience beautiful rare and common native plants, interesting geology, and the lore of the Joaquin rocks under a full moon. Handouts will be provided including information on the Idria Serpentine Block, and the legend of Joaquin Murietta.
High clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended and car-pooling a must. Limited number of vehicles will be allowed into the vehicle restricted Joaquin Rocks Management Area. Bring food and water for the entire weekend (NO POTABLE WATER WILL BE AVAILABLE ON FIELD TRIP), clothing and footwear for a range of temperatures and moderate to rough hiking.
Participants must contact trip coordinator Julie Anne for further information and directions to the BLM office (H) 831-392-1820, (W)831-630-5028
June 7 (Saturday)—Canoe Trip on the Upper Newport Bay
This delightful paddle on the bay has become an annual tradition. We hope this year to have one of the UNB botanist along for the ride. Details later.
LOCAL WALKS
Laguna Coast Wilderness: 949-494-9352.
For walks in the Northern and Southern Reserves call The Nature Conservancy at 714-832-7478.
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park:
949-831-2790
Thomas Riley Regional Park: 949-728-3420
Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy: 949-P
Crystal Cove State Park: 949-497-7647
Walks with an emphasis on the shrubs of the Crystal Cove backcountry will take place on March 15, and February 15 (Saturdays). Meet at 9 AM at the ranger station. If rain has closed the backcountry, meet at the Reef Point parking lot. We’ll look at coastal bluff vegetation. Pouring rain will cancel the walk.
From PCH turn inland past El Morro School between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. There is a sign at the turn off. Parking is $5. Call or email Sarah Jayne for more information: 949-552-0691 or sbjayne@cox.net
OPPORTUNITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring Classes at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
An array of interesting classes will be offered in Spring 2003. The classes are limited in size so it’s important to sign up promptly. Fees vary. For information, call 909-625-8767 ext.224 or visit the garden at www.rsabg.org.
Best Native Perennials for Southern California Gardens
Bart O’Brien
Sunday, March 30, 2 PM-5 PM
$10 ($13 nonmember) Limit: 20
Sustainable Gardening with Native Plants
Tom Perry
Saturday, February 22, 9 AM-3 PM
$40 ($60 nonmember) Limit 20
Propagation of Native Plants from Cuttings
Andrew Wyatt
Sunday, April 12, 1 PM-5 PM
$50 ($12 nonmember) Limit: 12
The Grass Family: Identification and Ecology
J. Travis Columbus
Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 1, 8:30 AM-4 PM
$80 ($95 nonmember) Limit: 15
Demystifying Identification of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) Family
Curtis Clark
Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, 9 AM-4 PM
$145 ($170 nonmember) Limit: 15
Collecting, Processing, & Storing Native Plant Seed
Michael Wall
Saturday, June 21, 9 AM-5 PM
$56 ($68 nonmember) Limit: 15
In addition, a series of lectures and field trips will focus on the Santa Monica Mountains.
Jepson Herbarium Classes
The classes are designed to accommodate botanical enthusiasts ranging from beginners to specialists. Pre-registration is required for all workshops. For more information please contact Anneke Swinehart at 510 643-7008 or annekes@uclink.berkeley.edu, or visit our website: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/jepwkshp.html
Introduction to the Plant Kingdom
March 8-9, 2003
Location: Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley
Basics of Botanical Illustration
March 22-23, 2003
Location: Valley Life Sciences Building and UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley
Spring Flora and Ecology of the Sedgwick Reserve
March 21-23, 2003
Location: Sedgwick Reserve, Santa Barbara County
Ferns and Fern Allies
April 5-6, 2003
Location: UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley
Spring Flora of the Eastern Mojave Desert
April 17-20, 2003
Location: UC Granite Mountain Desert Research Center
Microbiotic Soil Crusts and Lichens of the Eastern Mojave Desert
April 25-27, 2003
Location: Desert Studies Center, Mojave Desert
Flora of Santa Catalina Island
May 1-4, 2003
Location: USC Wrigley Marine Science Center, Catalina Island
Paleobotanical History of the California Flora
May 10-11, 2003
Co-sponsored with the UC Museum of Paleontology
Location: Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley and field regions in the greater Bay Area
Flora of Camp San Luis Obispo
May 16-18, 2003
Location: Camp San Luis Obispo
Pollination Ecology of Spring Wildflowers
May 30-June 1, 2003
Co-sponsored with the Essig Museum of Entomology
Location: UC Hastings Reserve, Carmel Valley
Spring Mountains Flora: Montane Island Over the Eastern Mojave
May 29-June 1, 2003
Location: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Flora of the Central Sierra
June 19-22, 2003
Location: Central Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin River Basin, Sierra NF, Madera County
Sudden Oak Death
June 28-29, 2003
Location: UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley, and field regions in the greater Bay Area
Two Looks at the Flora of the Klamath Region: Mount Eddy and Trinity Alps
July 17-20, 2003
Location: Trinity County
Juncaceae, With Special Emphasis on Juncus and Close Relatives
July 25-27, 2003
Location: Sierra Nevada Field Campus, Yuba Pass
Carex
August 1-3, 2003
Location: Sierra Nevada Field Campus, Yuba Pass
Aldered States at the Eel River
August 8-10, 2003
Co-sponsored with the California Biodiversity Center
Location: Angelo Coast Range Reserve, Mendocino County
Summer Annuals and Fall-blooming Shrubs of the Eastern Mojave Desert
September 12-14, 2003
Location: Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center
Restoration Days at Shipley Nature Center
Saturdays April 5 and May 3, 9 AM to Noon
Your help is needed to ensure that the Nature Center will remain a place of education and relaxation in Huntington Beach for years to come. For more information visit the volunteer web site, www.fsnc.org.
Bring: Shovel, pickaxe, gloves or whatever gardening tools you have available (you may want to write your name on them), water, a hat, sunscreen and your family and friends!
Directions: Huntington Beach Central Park is located between Golden West and Edwards south of Slater. Check a map for the best exit from the 405. Enter from the parking lot off Edwards on Central Park Drive. Walk out of the parking lot at the north end entrance and follow the white line, which leads all the way to the front gate.
Upper Newport Backbay
Steward Days every Wednesday* Green thumbs welcome! Help ensure that native plants with the Bay’s unique genetics are available for restoration activities by collecting seeds, propagating plants, and helping with nursery operations. Meet at the Exotic Hut on Shellmaker Island, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Restoration Teamwork every fourth Saturday, 1/25, 2/22* Volunteers help remove invasives and plant coastal sage scrub in order to promote native wildlife. Join in this rewarding work! Meet at the Interpretive Center, 9 AM. – 12 PM
*Dates subject to change; contact Kristin Finstad, Project Coordinator, California Coastal Commission:(949) 640-0286, kfinstad@coastal.ca.gov
BUGS & BUTTERFLIES
Riley Wilderness Park
Sunday, May 4, 10 AM to 3 PM
Job Opportunity
Two Assistant Field Ecologist positions are needed by the University of California to participate in two projects associated with the California Department of Fish and Game. One is a vegetation mapping and classification project in western Riverside County, the other a vegetation and habitat characterization study of the Meadow and Riparian complexes of the montane Sierra Nevada. Candidates will become field crew members in two-person crews.
For more information contact Todd Keeler-Wolf, Senior Vegetation Ecologist, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Room 202, 1807 13th St., Sacramento, CA 95814 tkwolf@dfg.ca.gov, 916-324-6857
CLASSIFIED
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
HOSPITALITY
Share the pleasure of providing refreshments for our monthly meetings. New chairperson, Deanna Epley, would love to have your help! Contact her at 949-759-1382 or depley@cox.net. Thanks!
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Are you a friendly go-getter with good writing skills, who would like to help promote native plants and conservation? OC CNPS is looking for you! As our new Public Relations Chair, you will:
- work to increase public awareness of our many activities.
- keep in contact with the media and advise them of progress on our ongoing projects.
- work with Board Members and Committee Chairs to plan events and arrange for appropriate and timely publicity.
- design and publish flyers and handouts as needed.
Public relations or journalism experience is preferred, but not required. Time commitment: attendance at the monthly board meetings and several additional hours to prepare notices, contact media, etc. Interested?
Contact Celia Kutcher,
949-496-9689 celia552@cox.net
SECRETARY
Immediate opening for Recording and Corresponding Secretary. Duties consist of taking minutes at monthly board meetings; preparing the minutes and agenda for the board meetings; taking care of correspondence as required.
No experience necessary though computer skills and email capability would be helpful. Time commitment: attendance at the monthly board meeting held the first Thursday of the month from 7 PM to 9 PM and one to three additional hours per month to prepare minutes and respond to mail.
Please apply in person to Dan Songster at any Chapter Meeting or contact Dan at 949-768-0431 or songster@cox.net