Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
California Native Plant SocietyShasta ChapterP.O. Box 990194Redding, CA 96099-0194
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Firecracker
1
The Newsletter of the Shasta Chapter of the California Native Plant Society Vol. XXXIII, No. 5, Sept.–oct. 2015
preSIdeNt’S MeSSageI hope you all had an enjoyable summer, took some long
walks, and identified a few new native plants to add to your list of plants that you can recognize by sight. I know David Ledger had some great walks until he twisted his ankle and was out of commission for a while. (See article, page 4.) I hope you have recovered fully, David.
Be sure to put 7 PM, Thursday, September 17, on your calendar as this is our first general Chapter Meeting of the fall. Also add Saturday, October 10, as this is our Chapter’s Fall Native Plant Sale, from 8 AM to 2 PM. See the rest of this newsletter and our website at shastacnps.org for all of the activities of our Chapter, other local associated groups, and the state CNPS. H
-Ken Kilborn, President, Shasta Chapter CNPS
Fall 2015 NatIVe plaNt Sale8 aM to 2 pM, Saturday, october 10ShaSta college FarM aNd greeNhouSeS
Many thanks to members who propagated, weeded, moved plants, and watched the watering system at Shasta College this summer, for our upcoming Fall Plant Sale. The plants are in good shape, and we have an inventory of over 1,200 plants, representing over 75 different species. Fall is the best time to plant those native plants!
The Fall 2015 Native Plant Sale is on Saturday, October 10, from 8 AM to 2 PM. Plants will be sold at $6 per 1-gallon pot. We would appreciate participation by CNPS members at the sale. We need folks to talk up the plants, help people move plants to their vehicles, sell books and posters, and help with cashiering. Please call Jay & Terri Thesken at 530/221-0906 to let them know that you are coming and how you can help.
We will be preparing the plants for the sale from 2 to 4 PM on Friday, October 9, and then the CNPS members’ pre-sale will follow, from 4 to 6 PM. We invite all CNPS members to come help out with the preparations, and then stay for the members’ pre-sale. (Plants will not be sold until the pre-sale, starting at 4 PM.)
We have acquired some much-sought-after genera this summer, such as Fremontodendron and Carpenteria, and they are ready for the fall sale! See you there! H
-Terri Thesken, Plant Propagation Manager
a doNatIoN MoSt WelcoMeIn July, the Shasta Chapter CNPS was very fortunate
to receive a $250 donation from Allen Kost! Besides attending CNPS fieldtrips and other CNPS activities, Allen is also involved with Shasta Land Trust and the Trails & Bikeways Council in Redding. Mr. Kost’s generous donation will help the Chapter in further educating the public about California native plants and their benefits to all of us. We greatly appreciate Allen’s donation. If you are so inspired to donate to the Chapter, please call me at 530/221-0906 or e-mail: [email protected] Thank you, Allen! H
Terri Thesken,Treasurer
2
dItch your laWN WorkShop CNPS is offering free Ditch Your Lawn workshops,
taught by John Whittlesey, in Redding and Chico, on October 17 and 18, respectively.
These workshops are part of a new statewide program developed in partnership with the Department of Water Resources to teach homeowners how to get rid of their thirsty traditional turf lawns, and replace them with drought- and environment-friendly California natives.
Capacity for each workshop is 50 participants; pre-registration is required. Please see cnps.org/cnps/education/workshops/2015/lawn_norcal.php for further information or to register. H
aNNual coMMuNIty creek cleaNupThe 10th annual Community Creek Cleanup will be
held from 8 AM to noon, Saturday, October 3, from the Sacramento River Trail just north of the Elks Lodge to the end of Harlan Drive. This will be both a litter cleanup and an invasive species removal event. Plants to be removed include Himalayan blackberry, Spanish broom, pyracantha, fruiting mulberry, mimosa, acacia, black locust, and arundo. You can help with the litter cleanup or with the invasive plant removal, whichever suits your preference or energy level.
Bring water, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes. Event organizers will provide bags, buckets, gloves and tools. All participants will receive a free beverage from Dutch Brothers Coffee, not to mention the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped improve the environment on one small segment of the Sacramento River and the adjacent trail area by removing litter and invasive plants.
There will be several hundred people participating and this would be good event for CNPS members to support. Please register at shastacreeks.com For more information, call me at 530/355-8542. H
-David Ledger, Conservation Chair
reSearch ScholarShIp aWardedThe $1000 Northern California Botanists
scholarship funded by the Shasta Chapter CNPS was awarded this year to Tommy Stoughton, of Claremont Graduate University, for his project working on the evolution and systematics of Claytonia lanceolata. He qualified very easily and was one of the top winners. His project abstract will appear in the Northern California Botanists’ fall newsletter. Congratulations, Tommy! H
Spanish broom choking out the native vegetation along the Sacramento River Trail, Redding. Photo by Randall Smith.
SpaNISh brooM oN the SacraMeNto rIVer traIl Some thirty years ago, about 1983, I used to hike along
what is now the north Sacramento River Trail in Redding. It was just an old abandoned dirt road that faded into a dirt trail. There were very few Spanish broom along the river at that time. Some fifteen years later, when the trail was paved, I could see that there were a few scattered thick patches of broom and oleander, but nothing too spectacular and I was able to see the flowing river and walk to the river’s edge almost anywhere along the trail that was level.
Now Spanish broom has spread even more, and it is thick, dense and ugly along most of the trail, growing 6 feet tall—over 10 feet tall in many spots—and crowding out native species. It has even jumped the trail and is moving east on the dryer areas. When you walk on the trail now, you can’t see the river’s edge or even walk to it except in a few places. This is a prime example of the invasiveness of an exotic plant in an ecosystem when left unchecked. It also eliminates a food source for larvae of many insects, which in turn are a food source for local birds.
Now, however, there is hope. Randy Smith, local river and stream advocate, has been working to take out the invasive Spanish broom and oleander with help from local volunteers, especially Bethel Church. If you walk up to the suspension bridge, you can see areas that have been cleared and the difference is dramatic. This is the best attack: start upstream to wipe out a seed bank that can move downstream during high river flows. However, some of the broom is sprouting back from the stem base and root crowns, and new seedlings are becoming established.
Much work needs to be done, and this seems to be something the Shasta Chapter should be involved in, as The mission of CNPS is to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats… For those wishing to contribute a few hours to this restoration effort, please contact me at 530/355-8542. H
-David Ledger, Conservation Chair
3
NeW State lIcheNGovernor Jerry Brown recently signed a bill designating
lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) as the California State Lichen. The law takes effect January 1, 2016, making California the first state to recognize a lichen as a state symbol. Lace lichen joins California’s other symbols, which include the California poppy (state flower) and the grizzly bear (state animal).
The California Lichen Society (CALS) was instrumental in getting the state lichen passed. Shelly Benson, CALS president, explained that lace lichen has three strong qualities that made it an ideal candidate. First, it is easy to recognize even by those not very well acquainted with lichens. Second, it is common throughout much of California—growing along the coast from the northern to the southern borders and up to 130 miles inland. Lastly, and most significantly, it is an amazingly beautiful lichen. H
WAYSIDE WILDLIFE: brIllIaNt bobcat
Stalwart CNPS member Don Burk was nearly swallowed in a little-known bog on the Warner Valley Wildlife Area in Plumas County on a recent weekend outing. As his trusted assistant, I was able to extract him before a carnivorous flat-leaved bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia) finished him off. Though soaked to the thigh, Don had no thought of turning back. Traversing downed logs, hidden water channels in deep grass, and battling the whiplash of streamside alder for at least one hundred more yards, we broke into the open of the Warner Creek channel. Burk’s keen eye immediately detected movement 50 yards downstream: a wild form sought the water of the creek, which Burk quickly identified as Lynx rufus. I frantically mumbled and fumbled with my high-end digital super-zoom photo-computer, desperate to avoid blowing a maybe-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Only for the grace of our region’s small wild feline did I come away with telephoto proof of our sighting as it stared, frozen, reciprocating our animal inquisitiveness… H
-Jerry Snodgrass
Jerry is a mammalogist, music librarian, connoisseur of convoluted projects, and the fondest of friends to the Burks. He and his wife, Linda, live in Chico.
Send your Wayside Wildlife find to me at [email protected] and we’ll consider sharing it with the membership!
-Laurie Burk, editor
Lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii), California’s new state lichen. Photo by Shelly Benson.
Shasta Chapter CNPS DirectoryaddreSS: PO BOx 990194, Redding, CA 96099-0194WebSIte: shastacnps.org2015 oFFIcerSpreSIdeNt – Ken Kilborn (530/221-2339; [email protected])VIce preSIdeNt – Robin Fallscheer (530/225-2311)treaSurer – Terri Thesken (530/221-0906)Secretary – Margaret Widdowson (530/223-4732)coNSerVatIoN chaIr – David Ledger (530/355-8542)FIeldtrIp chaIr – David Ledger (530/355-8542)graNtS coMMIttee chaIr – Donal Jonio (530/221-4280)MeMberShIp coMMIttee chaIr – Susan Gallaugher (530/246-3815)NatIVe gardeN tour chaIr – Donal Jonio (530/221-4280)NeWSletter edItor – Laurie Burk (530/347-0849)plaNt propagatIoN MaNager – Terri Thesken (530/221-0906)prograM chaIr – Robin Fallscheer (530/225-2311)rare plaNtS chaIr – Don Burk (530/347-0849)ScholarShIp coMMIttee chaIr – Jay Thesken (530/221-0906)Web MaSter – Ken Kilborn (530/221-2339; [email protected])
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Chapter Member!
George Horn, Redding
Bobcat, Lynx rufus, on Warner Creek, Plumas County. Photo by Jerry Snodgrass.
4
Mountain heather on the June 27 hike to Paradise Meadows. Photo by Susan Gallaugher.
Fieldtrip Follow-ups continued on page 5.
Fieldtrip participants at the trailhead on the June 27 hike to Paradise Meadows.Photo by Susan Gallaugher.
Field
trip
Fol
low
-ups
prologue: the MyStery oF the MISSINg leaderThis July, I severely sprained my ankle while hiking alone up Mill Creek in Whiskeytown National
Recreation Area Park, some two miles up the trail. Fortunately, at the last minute, I had decided to take along my first aid kit, which included an elastic Ace bandage, so I could tightly secure my ankle for the hike out.
The swelling and pain lasted two weeks, so I had to cancel the Trinity Alps hike scheduled for July 25 and, fortunately, I was able to get Terri & Jay Thesken to lead the August 1 Kings Creek Meadows to Corral Meadows hike for me on short notice. They know the plants in Lassen better than I do, so it all worked out for the better.
As I enjoy leading fieldtrips, I scheduled two last-minute easy walks for August to make up for the canceled one, and notices were sent out by e-mail to all of our Shasta Chapter members and to people who are on my personal e-mail list. If you did not receive a notice, it means that we do not have your current e-mail address. If you would like to receive e-mail bulletins from the Shasta Chapter, please contact Laurie Burk at [email protected] We only use our mass e-mail capabilities when absolutely necessary, and all recipients are always blind-copied to protect privacy. I do apologize to anyone who did not receive notice. H -David Ledger
paradISe MeadoWS pleNItude, JuNe 27Despite the drought, there were still many wildflowers on this
trail and at Paradise Meadows for the 13 hikers to enjoy. This trail starts out in a scattered lodgepole pine forest with a few intruding white fir in partially bare volcanic ash. As we climbed the trail and the canopy changed to red fir and western white pine, we saw Sierra gooseberry, wax gooseberry, mountain gooseberry, skyrocket gilia, white-veined wintergreen, arrowleaf groundsel, stream violet, and coyote mint. Reaching Paradise Meadows, we saw Sierra bog orchid, elephanthead lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica), alpine aster, alpine shooting stars, and California corn lily, among others. A plant list arranged by family name was too confusing for most participants (including the walk leader), so future plant lists will list plant families only when they have a large number of species on the respective trails, such as the sunflower or pea families. H
-David LedgerPenstemon on the June 27 hike to Paradise Meadows. Photo by Susan Gallaugher.
5Fieldtrip Follow-ups continued on page 6.
paNther MeadoWS proWl, July 12Regardless of the smoke or heat in Redding, Mt. Shasta is
almost always cool and inviting and this day did not disappoint. We started out at the lower Panther Meadows parking lot where the trail traverses dry granular volcanic ash with scattered clumps of Bloomer’s goldenbush, pussy paws, Davis’s knotweed, Shasta knotweed, marum-leaved buckwheat, sulfur buckwheat, and alpine buckwheat. Crossing the meadow, we saw giant paintbrush, bog orchid, primrose monkeyflower, Pacific mountain onion, soft arnica, dwarf huckleberry, and Cascade heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis).
The US Forest Service has a sign up warning people not to walk in the meadow as plants such as 12-inch high Cascade heather may live to be 200 years old. High-alpine plants only have three to six months to bud out, flower, become pollinated and set seed before cold temperatures and snow cover shut them down until the following late spring.
Leaving the meadow, the trail continues under a red fir and mountain hemlock canopy, climbing up to a ridge below Gray Butte where we saw whitebark pine, bush chinquapin, pine mat manzanita, western pasqueflower, cobwebby paintbrush, Davidson’s penstemon, Shasta penstemon, and slender penstemon. From the top of Gray Butte, we looked down on Castle Crags and the Mt. Shasta ski resort. To the west was Mt. Eddy, and to the north was cloud-covered Mt. Shasta. Fourteen people showed up for the fieldtrip, and we later met up with Chico’s Mt. Lassen Chapter CNPS at upper Panther Meadows. H
-David Ledger
kINgS creek FallS to corral MeadoWS to SuMMIt lake trek, auguSt 1On Saturday, August 1, 16 plant enthusiasts took an 8.5-mile long hike up at Lassen
Volcanic National Park—a summertime wildflower fieldtrip to Kings Creek Falls and Corral Meadow, finishing up at Summit Lake. As it sizzled in Redding above 100 degrees, we enjoyed the cooler, low 80s at the Park, while we hiked at about the 7,000-foot elevation. Even though the overlook was being reconstructed and we weren’t able to view Kings Creek Falls, we did enjoy some hanging meadows and seeps along the trail. Corral Meadows was small and being encroached upon by the surrounding forest. Wildflower blooming season at the Park was earlier than expected this year, but we still managed to see wetland species such as gentian, corn lily, primrose monkeyflower, seep-spring monkeyflower, Parish’s yampah, tofieldia (in fruit), marsh marigold (leaves), monkshood, meadow lupine, sneezeweed, aster, epilobium, Sierra corydalis, and grass of Parnassus. Other dry-land species that were in bloom or just past bloom included scarlet gilia, pussy paws, mule ears, stachys, coyote mint, pine drops, white-veined wintergreen, naked buckwheat, marum-leaved buckwheat, Indian paintbrush, knotweed, slender penstemon, pride of the mountains, Brewer’s angelica, arrowleaf groundsel, pearly everlasting, shaggy hawkweed, and heather. The trail was often shaded by tall red and white fir forest, with western white pine, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and mountain hemlock mixed in. Since we also had avid birders along with us, we were treated to a sighting of a sharp-shin hawk and a sooty grouse mom with two babies at the end of the hike. It was a long hike, but well worth it to be out in nature! H -Terri Thesken
Fieldtrip Follow-ups, continued from page 4.
Cascade heather, left, and western pasqueflower in seed on the July 12 hike to Panther Meadows. Photos by Susan Gallaugher.
Participants on the July 12 hike to Panther Meadows. Photo by Susan Gallaugher.
Co-leader Terri Thesken demonstrating her method of stream crossing in Kings Creek on the August 1 hike. Photo by Doug Mandel.
6
Fieldtrippers botanizing along Kings Creek Trail on the August 1 hike. Co-leader Terri Thesken is on the far left, and co-leader Jay Thesken is third from the right. Photo by Doug Mandel.
Fieldtrip Follow-ups, continued from page 5.
turtle bay MuSeuM MeaNder, auguSt 15Sixteen people showed up for this plant identification refresher walk
of common native and non-native plants on the trail around the Turtle Bay Museum. We had six people who were new to CNPS fieldtrips, thanks in part to the Meetup.com site and the Redding Record Searchlight, both of which listed the outing. Randy Smith of stream cleanup and restoration fame came along to learn a few new herbaceous non-native plants and told us of previous habitat restoration efforts in the area.
We started out in an open field near the parking lot and found native Spanish clover, doveweed, and horseweed, as well as invasive moth mullein, woolly mullein, prostrate polygonum, prickly lettuce, poke weed, tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), puncture vine, and pigweed. Walking back towards the bridge, we identified native plants that were part of the native plant walkway: toyon, California coffeeberry, hoary coffeeberry, California bay, valley oak, California wild grape, common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), white alder, California buckeye, buttonbush, and deer grass. On an arroyo willow, we identified willow cabbage gall and willow leaf gall. H
-David Ledger
paddle calIForNIaOctober 1–4, 2015
Come explore the majestic north 100 miles of the Sacramento River, from Redding to Chico, with four days of paddling and three nights of camping.
Tour includes catered meals, gear shuttle, music, and expert river guides and naturalists. Cost is $599 per person. You can use your own gear, or high-quality rentals will be available. For further information, visit paddlecalifornia.org
This event is brought to you by the Sacramento River Preservation Trust. The mission of the Sacramento River Preservation Trust is to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural values of the Sacramento River, while encouraging ecologically viable farming methods within the Sacramento River Watershed. This event gives paddlers the opportunity to explore the mighty and majestic Sacramento River in a supportive, safe, and fun atmosphere. H
Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) is a native plant that was identified on the Turtle Bay walk on August 15. Photo by Penelope Towle.
7
ca NatIVe graSSlaNdS aSSocIatIoN eVeNtSThe following workshops are being offered by the
California Native Grasslands Association. For details about these events and registration information, please go to cnga.org
Sept. 17. Field Practices: Hands-on Restoration Implementation and Maintenance. UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve.
Oct. 1. California’s New Front Yard: Creating a Low-Water Landscape. Fairfield Community Center, Fairfield.
Oct. 29. California’s New Front Yard: Creating a Low-Water Landscape. Coloma Community Center, Sacramento.
JepSoN herbarIuM WeekeNd WorkShopSThe Friends of the Jepson Herbarium is offering the
following workshops. They require pre-registration and fees, and take place at UC Berkeley unless otherwise noted. Details on the workshops (as well as other wait-listed workshops) can be found at ucjeps.berkeley.edu/workshops/ For further information, contact [email protected] or 510/643-7008.
Sept. 24–27. Fire Ecology in the Central Sierra Nevada. (Location: UC Wawona Field Station.) Anu Kramer, Kristen Shive, and Kate Wilkin.
Oct. 17–18. Restoration Ecology. Dylan Chapple, Laurel Larsen, and Morgan Williams.
Dec. 11–13. Evolution and Diversity of Mushrooms. Nhu Nguyen and Else Vellinga.
gardeNINg WIth NatIVeS SyMpoSIuMMother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora
Saturday, September 12, 2015
The Sierra Foothills Chapter CNPS is holding a symposium, Gardening with Natives: Helping Our Foothill Gardens Survive the Drought, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, September 12, in the Mother Lode Fairgrounds Creekside Building on Stockton Street, Sonora. Keynote speakers are Janet Cobb and Alrie Middlebrook. Registration is $30 and includes refreshments and lunch. For more information, see their website (sierrafoothillscnps.org), send an e-mail ([email protected]), or give them a call (209/962-4759). H
horSetoWN-clear creek preSerVe eVeNtSUpcoming events at Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve
(HCCP) are as follows. Unless otherwise noted, all events start at the HCCP parking area on Clear Creek Road, about 7 miles west of Highway 273, just west of the Clear Creek bridge. All events are free. Please see horsetownclearcreekpreserve.org for further information.
September 19, Saturday, 8 AM Trail Reclamation Project
Please join us to do some finish-work on trails affected by the Clover Fire.
October 4, Sunday, 9:30 AM Plant and Community Ecology Walk,
with BLM’s Laura Brodhead
October 24, Saturday, 9 AM Search for the Spawning Salmon, with FWS biologist Matt Johnson
(Location: Meet at the Gold Dredge Trailhead on Clear Creek Road, west of Sunrise Excavating.)
October 31, Saturday, 2 PM Wild Trout & Fly Fishing in Clear Creek,
with master fly fisherman and amateur entomologist Mike Mercer
November 8, Sunday, 1 PM. Acorns: A Native American Staple,
with native Wintu herbalist, Ted Dawson
24th aNNual cal-Ipc SyMpoSIuMSan Diego Convention Center
October 28–31, 2015
The California Invasive Plant Council’s 2015 symposium will be held October 28–31 at the San Diego Convention Center, located on San Diego Bay near the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Join fellow land managers, researchers, and conservationists in catching up on the latest findings in invasive plant biology and management. The symposium will feature a broad range of presentations, discussion groups, trainings, and fieldtrips, with activities such as a photo contest and awards mixed in.
In addition to the customary focus on effective program planning and tools of the trade, the 24th annual symposium will feature a parallel, one-day conference, Invasive Plant Management and Habitat Conservation Planning, on Thursday, October 29.
Registration is now open. Please visit cal-ipc.org for further information. H
8
Sept. 5, Saturday. Discover Birding: Youth & Beginner Bird Walk. 9 AM. Meet at the monolith at Turtle Bay, Redding. Wintu Audubon Society. Dan Greaney: 530/276-9693.
Sept. 6, Sunday. Hike: Drakesbad to Devil’s Kitchen, Lassen Volcanic National Park. 8:30 AM. Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwys 32 & 99). Mt. Lassen Chapter CNPS. Gerry Ingco (530/893-5123) and Wes Dempsey (530/342-2293).
Sept. 12, Saturday. Second-Saturday Bird Walk: John Reginato River Access Trail. 8 AM. Meet in the Redding Civic Auditorium’s south parking lot. Wintu Audubon Society. 530/941-7741.
Sept. 12, Saturday. 9th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival. 5:30 PM; $20–$25. Sierra Nevada Brewery Big Room, Chico. Friends of Butte Creek. www.buttecreek.org; Pamela Posey: 530/893-0360.
Sept. 12, Saturday. Hike: Yahi Trail, Upper Bidwell Park, Chico. 9:30 AM. Meet at Upper Bidwell Park’s parking lot E. Mt. Lassen Chapter CNPS. Gerry Ingco (530/893-5123) and Wes Dempsey (530/342-2293).
Sept. 12, Saturday. Westside Trail Cleanup. 8–11 AM. Meet at the end of Dillard Road, Redding. Bring gloves and trash bag. Trails & Bikeways Council. 530/365-5852.
Sept. 16, Wednesday. Guided Nature Walk: Crafting from Nature. Noon–2 PM. Free. Meet at Upper Greenhorn Park in Yreka. US Fish & Wildlife Service. 530/842-5763.
Sept. 17, Thursday. Local Weekday Bird Walk: Anderson River Park. 8 AM. Meet at the amphitheater in the park. Wintu Audubon Society. 530/941-7741.
Sept. 19, Saturday. Explore the Bizz Johnson Trail. $30; must RSVP. Shasta Land Trust. 530/241-7886.
Sept. 19, Saturday. Great Sierra River Cleanup. 8:30 AM to noon. Call for location. Shasta Land Trust 530/241-7886.
Sept. 26, Saturday. Fieldtrip: Birding in Arcata Marsh. 8:30 AM. Call for details. Wintu Audubon Society. Bill Oliver: 530/941-7741.
Sept. 26, Saturday. National Public Lands Cleanup Day. 9 AM–2 PM. Meet at the Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve trailhead/amphitheater. Various sponsors. BLM: 530/224-2100.
Sept. 26, Saturday. Hike: Hat Lake to Paradise Meadows, Lassen Volcanic National Park. 8:30 AM. Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwys 32 & 99). Mt. Lassen Chapter CNPS. Gerry Ingco (530/893-5123) and Wes Dempsey (530/342-2293).
Sept. 26, Saturday. Fall Plant Sale. Members only: 9–11 AM; public sale: 11 AM–3 PM. 1135 Arboretum Drive, Redding. McConnell Arboretum. 530/243-8850.
Sept. 26, Saturday. Walk with the Horticulture Manager. 10:30 AM. Park fee. McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. 530/243-8850.
Oct. 3, Saturday. Discover Birding: Youth & Beginner Bird Walk. 9 AM. Meet at the monolith at Turtle Bay, Redding. Wintu Audubon Society. Dan Greaney: 530/276-9693.
Oct. 3, Saturday. Community Creek Cleanup. 8 AM to noon. Clean up the north side of the Sacramento River Trail between Carter Creek and the end of Harlan Drive, Redding. (See article, page 2.) Community Creek Cleanup Action Group of Shasta County. 530/225-4512.
Oct. 4, Sunday. Hike: Butte Creek Canyon Trail. 9 AM. Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwys 32 & 99). Mt. Lassen Chapter CNPS. Gerry Ingco (530/893-5123) and Wes Dempsey (530/342-2293).
Oct. 10, Saturday. Second-Saturday Bird Walk: Lema Ranch. 7 AM. Meet at the north parking lot off Hemingway Street, Redding. Wintu Audubon Society. 530/941-7741.
Oct. 10 & 24, Saturdays. Fall Plant Sale. 9–11 AM: members only; 11 AM–1 PM: public sale. Arboretum Teaching Garden, Garrod Drive. UC Davis. 530/752-4880.
Oct. 17, Saturday. Return of the Salmon Festival. 9 AM to 4 PM. Free. Coleman National Fish Hatchery, Anderson. US Fish & Wildlife Service. 530/365-8622
Oct. 17 & 18, Saturday & Sunday. Ditch Your Lawn Workshops. 1–5 PM. Free; must register. Redding and Chico locations. CNPS. (See article, page 2.)
Oct. 21, Wednesday. Guided Nature Walk: Fall Colors. Noon–2 PM. Free. Meet at Upper Greenhorn Park in Yreka. US Fish & Wildlife Service. 530/842-5763.
Oct. 24, Saturday. Fieldtrip: Birding at Lewiston Lake. 7:30 AM. Meet in the Redding Civic Auditorium’s south parking lot. Wintu Audubon Society. 530/941-7741.
Oct. 31, Saturday. Walk with the Horticulture Manager. 10:30 AM. Park fee. McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. 530/243-8850.
EVENTS OF OTHERS
9
October 11Sunday
First Plant Propagation Session of the Season. Two-hour work session starting at 10 AM at the Shasta College greenhouses. We are having this propagation session a week earlier than in years past so that we can also clean up after the October 10 Fall Plant Sale. The greenhouses are located at the northeast end of Shasta College, near the livestock barns. We will likely be dividing some grasses and starting seed trays—please bring any California native seeds you would like to contribute. Please call Jay & Terri Thesken at 530/221-0906 for further information.
October 11Sunday
Fieldtrip: New BLM Trail in the Shasta-Keswick Area. This will be a 3-mile hike on a new trail that BLM has built in the Shasta area, primarily through chaparral, finishing up on Rock Creek. This is an area of considerable mining in the past and we will walk by a few old mines and mining artifacts. Fairly easy hike with gentle slopes. Bring plenty of water. Dogs are okay on this outing. Meet at 9 AM at the pull-out on Highway 299 West at Iron Mountain Road; we will carpool and caravan to the trailhead. For more information, call David Ledger at 530/355-8542.
October 15Thursday
Chapter Meeting. Come see Steffes’ Super Stuff: A Different Point of View. Shasta Chapter member Wayne Steffes will treat (or trick?) us to a camera-kaleidoscope of colors and patterns from nature. Meet at 7 PM at the Shasta College Health Science & University Programs building in downtown Redding, 1400 Market Street, Community Room 8220 (clock tower building at the north end of the Market Street Promenade; enter on south side of building). A Board meeting will be held before the regular meeting, at 5:30 PM at Angelo’s Pizza Parlour in the Foundry Square, 1774 California Street, Redding.
October 24Saturday
Fieldtrip: Clear Creek Greenway Trail. This fieldtrip will be from the Clear Creek Gorge Trailhead to Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve. We will hike along Clear Creek, where we should see migrating salmon, then through a meadow and a blue oak-gray pine woodland. Part of this area was burned in a fire several years ago, so we’ll be able to judge which plants return through root crown sprouting and which through seed germination. We’ll see many remnants of past mining days along the trail; the area was heavily mined in years past, and miners still do some low-level placer mining. This is a mostly level walk of about 4 miles. Dogs on leashes are welcome on this fieldtrip. Meet at the trailhead on Clear Creek Road, 4 miles west of Highway 273 at 9 AM. For more information, call David Ledger at 530/355-8542.
Calendar, continued from page 10.
chIco herbarIuM WorkShopSThe following 2015 workshops are being offered by CSU
Chico Friends of the Herbarium, and will be conducted on the CSU Chico campus. For details about these workshops and registration information, please go to csuchico.edu/biol/Herb/Events.html
Sept. 12. Introduction to Keying the Sunflowers (Asteraceae). John Dittes.
Sept. 19. Tree Identification. Linnea Hanson, Emily Meigs Doe, Erin Gottschalk Fisher, and Adrienne Edwards.
Oct. 10. Fall Harvest: Edible and Medicinal Roots, Bark, and Fruits of California. Tellur Fenner.
cNpS WorkShopS aNd proFeSSIoNal traININgThe following workshop is being offered by CNPS. Discounted
registration fees are available to CNPS members. See cnps.org/workshops for a full description and registration information. Please contact Becky Reilly at [email protected] or 916/447-2677 ext. 207 for further information.
Nov. 4–5. CEQA Impact Assessment. (Location: Taft Gardens, Ojai.) David Magney.
SISkIyou FIeld INStItute eVeNtSBelow are some classes that focus
on botany that are being offered by the Siskiyou Field Institute, based out of Deer Creek Center in Selma, Oregon. For many more classes and further information, please visit their website at thesfi.org, or contact the institute at 541/597-8530.
September 28–30. The Cryptic World of Red Buttes Wilderness. Scot Loring; $225.
October 17–18. Lichens and their Photobionts. Daphne Stone; $150.
October 24. Edible Mushrooms of the Siskiyous. Mike Potts; $55. (Sold out; wait-listed.)
November 6–8. Forest Mushrooms of Southwest Oregon/Northwest California. David Lebo; $155.
September 5Saturday
Fieldtrip: Trails of the Dunsmuir Area. This fieldtrip will feature three short trails of the Dunsmuir area, including Hedge Creek Falls. All trails are short and fairly easy, featuring riparian and mixed conifer plants, with a total walking distance of three to four miles. Afterwards, we will walk through the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens, which features native and non-native plants, and then have lunch at a local area restaurant, or you can bring a lunch and eat next to the Sacramento River. Bring plenty of water and a walking pole. No dogs on this fieldtrip, please. Meet at the Mt. Shasta Mall near Chase Bank at 9 AM. For more information, call David Ledger at 530/355-8542.
September 12Saturday
Fieldtrip: Paynes Creek Trail, Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area. This three-mile roundtrip fieldtrip will follow Paynes Creek upstream in BLM’s Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area. This is an easy, mostly level hike that has a lush riparian area of California sycamores, valley oaks, and California buckeyes on one side of the trail, and a dry blue oak woodland on the other. We did this two years ago and people really enjoyed it. The high water table of Paynes Creek will keep many plants green this late in the summer—a unique, beautiful habitat. Meet at the Mt. Shasta Mall Parking lot near Chase Bank at 9 AM or at the Bend Store on Bend Ferry Road in Bend, Tehama County, at 9:30 AM. Bring plenty of water. Dogs on leashes are okay for this outing. For more information, call David Ledger at 530/355-8542.
September 13Sunday
Matson Mowder Howe Celebration Garden Maintenance. Work session starting at 9 AM at the Matson Mowder Howe Celebration Garden adjacent to the North Valley Art League Carter House Gallery at 48 Quartz Hill Road in Caldwell Park, Redding. We will complete general garden maintenance activities to beautify the garden prior to the 26th annual Art in the Park event. Bring your hand tools, gloves and drinking water. For more information, please contact Mindy Graves at [email protected] or 530/245-9860.
September 17Thursday
Chapter Meeting. Jaime Pawelek is a researcher in the Urban Bee Lab at UC Berkeley, focusing on the urban statewide survey and taxonomic work. She also designs bee-friendly gardens and does lots of outreach and education with the lab. Her talk is entitled Native Bees of California, Their Role in Most Ecosystems, and How to Encourage These Important Pollinators into Your Home Garden. See helpabee.org for more information from the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab. Meet at 7 PM at the Shasta College Health Science & University Programs building in downtown Redding, 1400 Market Street, Community Room 8220 (clock tower building at the north end of the Market Street Promenade; enter on south side of building). A Board meeting will be held before the regular meeting, at 5:30 PM at Angelo’s Pizza Parlour in the Foundry Square, 1774 California Street, Redding.
September 20Sunday
Plant Sale Preparation Day. Two-hour work session starting at 9 AM at the Shasta College greenhouses. The greenhouses are located at the northeast end of Shasta College, near the livestock barns. We will be weeding and spiffying-up our more than 1,200 plants and propagation area in preparation for the October 10 Fall Plant Sale. Please call Jay & Terri Thesken at 530/221-0906 for further information.
October 9Friday
Fall Plant Sale Preparation Work Party. 2 to 4 PM. Come help with last-minute weeding, setting up, organizing, and signing plants for the sale on Saturday. This is a work party; plants will not be available for sale at this time. Meet at the Shasta College greenhouses, located in the northeast corner of Shasta College, near the livestock barns.Members-Only Pre-Sale. 4 to 6 PM at the Shasta College greenhouses. CNPS members have an opportunity to buy plants (for $1 less than the regular $6 sale price, too!) before the sale opens to the public on Saturday. The pre-sale is open to current CNPS members only, but memberships will be sold. Call Jay & Terri Thesken at 530/221-0906 for information, directions, or to volunteer.
October 10Saturday
33rd Annual Fall Native Plant Sale. This public sale will be from 8 AM to 2 PM at the Shasta College Farm/greenhouses. The greenhouses are located at the northeast end of the Shasta College campus, near the livestock barns. Purchase plants, books, notecards, and other items related to the native flora of California. We have a selection of over 1,200 California native plants this year. Gates will open at 8 AM; no early birds, please. Call Jay & Terri Thesken at 530/221-0906 for information or to volunteer to help on the day of the sale.
ShaSta chapter cNpS caleNdar Contact Ken at 530/221-2339 or [email protected]
Calendar continued on page 9.
10
Fall 2015Native Plant Sale8 to 2, Saturday, October 10Shasta College Farm Greenhouses
221-0906; www.shastacnps.org
Stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum) photo by Don Burk
