Jan 5th: Carol Witham on Vernal Pools

Vernal Pool Focus in January

Discover the magic of California’s most fleeting and fascinating ecosystems this January!

We are honored to welcome Carol Witham, a renowned vernal pool ecologist with over 30 years of experience, to our CNPS chapter meeting on January 5th, 2026. A leading voice in conservation advocacy and author of key field guides, Witham will lead us on a “virtual tour” through the dazzling swaths of wildflowers and ancient, “weird-looking” fauna that emerge from these seasonal wetlands. Whether you are curious about the unique geology that allows these pools to form or want to learn how to identify rare species, Witham’s expertise offers an unparalleled deep dive into a habitat found almost nowhere else on Earth.

Join via Zoom on Jan 5th:  https://cnps-org.zoom.us/j/87240812653?pwd=UHBERGxDVFlrNEFyK0JrNVhwMEJydz09

Later in the month, put your new knowledge into practice on January 24th, 2026, with an exclusive field trip to the Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy.

This remarkable site is a “rewilding” success story, featuring restored vernal pools that serve as a living laboratory for endangered native flora and fauna right in our own backyard. It is a rare opportunity to see these “biological sanctuaries” up close during their active winter phase, where you might witness the early stages of the aquatic life and specialized plants we discussed with Carol earlier in the month.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with local experts and witness the seasonal transformation of one of California’s most imperiled landscapes.