Orange County Native Garden Tour – May 8, 2010

You and your friends and colleagues will not want to miss the Orange County Native Garden Tour, sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.  Eleven outstanding gardens will be open to the public for one day only, on May 8, 2010, from 10 am to 4 pm, and this event is FREE to all enthusiasts.

Registration is required.  Click on this link for full descriptions of the gardens and for registration details.

Please spread the word!  We are counting down less than four weeks until this fantastic event!

Membership in the California Native Plant Society starts at only $45 per year for an individual membership, or $25 for students or those with limited income.  Click here to learn more.

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

CNPS Orange County News – April 2010

In this eNews:

1. General Meeting, WILDFLOWERS, Thursday, April 15, 2010
2. Outreach!  Green Scene April 17-18, SC Plaza April 22-25
3. Garden Tour, May 8, 2010
4. Chapter Celebration – Auction and Raffle, June 17, 2010

1.  General Meeting –

Celebrate tax day the right way and join us this Thursday night, April 15, 2010 at the Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine  (see http://occnps.org/ for directions):

• 6:45 PM doors open, hospitality
• 7:00 PM Plant ID Table – Wildflowers!  Bring your spring flower samples or pictures for ID help or to share at the table.  (As you all know, please do not remove wildflowers from protected wild areas without permission.)
• 7:30 PM Main Program: Wildflower Hotspots of Orange County, Bob Allen

Mountain blue curls, Trichostema parishii, Photo: Bob Allen

Our county may be known for Disneyland, shopping malls and freeways, but thankfully we also have some of the loveliest wildflower spots in southern California! With these rains what a year this should be! Let’s get away from it all and take a tour of some of Orange County’s wildflower hotspots (some popular and some more “secret”) to see what is in bloom. And who better to lead us on this virtual field trip than Bob Allen who has spent countless hours documenting and photographing our local flora! Whatever you’re level of interest and knowledge, with Bob we always learn something new. Throw in that special dash of Bob Allen humor and it will be an enjoyable night for all.

Bob Allen is a nature photographer, author, instructor, and consulting biologist. Raised in San Juan Capistrano, he studied insects from a very early age. In high school, he was introduced to plants, became hooked, and bought his first copy of Philip Munz’s Flora of Southern California at age 15. He is currently preparing his eagerly awaited second book, A Field Guide to Wildflowers of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains.

2.  Outreach Events –

We will be out in the community at the Green Scene, Fullerton Arboretum, April 17 and 18, and at the Southern California Spring Garden Show at South Coast Plaza on April 22-25. At both events we will be selling plants and books and working to make more of the public aware of the benefits of California native plant gardening and how to accomplish it.

We are looking for volunteers to help man our booths at both events. Please contact Laura Camp by replying to this email if you can devote a couple of hours. It’s fun and easy, and new volunteers are welcome. As an added bonus, the Green Scene admission fee will be covered for all volunteers.

The South Coast Plaza event has a sustainability theme this year, and several speakers will be focused on that theme, including Gene Ratcliffe representing our chapter and Tree of Life Nursery. Gene’s talk is on Friday morning, but make sure to check out the full schedule and to visit us at our booth.

3.  Garden Tour –

Out chapter-sponsored native plant Garden Tour is coming up fast, on Saturday, May 8th. We hope you are planning to attend with a friend or two. This tour will feature almost a dozen outstanding gardens, and is free to all participants. Similar tours throughout the state can cost $20 or more. Look for an email with complete details and registration information within the next few days.

Volunteers are always needed! This year we’d like to have a few docents to assist in each garden, for a couple of hours in the morning or afternoon. Please reply to this email and let us know if you can help.

4.  Chapter Celebration –

Sarah Jayne and Elizabeth Songster help prepare the June 2009 auction table

Silent Auction and Raffle items are needed for our June 17th Chapter Celebration. Do you have a nice native plant in a pot? Or just the pot itself? A gift certificate or vacation rental? A book or gift  or artwork related in any way to nature, native plants or gardening? Do you have ideas, or a few hours to assist with calling potential donors, or to help with planning or setting up the evening of the event? Please contact our Silent Auction Chair, Kathy Glendinning at ktglnd@netscape.net or just “reply” to this email.

This event is one of our two major fundraisers for the year, and all proceeds will be devoted to the Chapter’s grant programs, to fund school gardens or worthy research projects. With your support we can make this fun event a big winner for native plants and education. You can truly make a difference!

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

CNPS Orange County News – March 2010

In this eNews:

1. General Meeting, Thursday, March 18, 2010
2. Field Trips and Nature Walks
3. Garden Tour, May 8, 2010

1.  General Meeting – Restoration, Past and Future at the Bolsa Chica Mesa

Please join us this Thursday night, March 18, 2010 at the Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine  (see http://occnps.org/ for directions):

• 6:45 PM doors open, hospitality
• 7:15 PM Planting Natives feature: Top 10 Native Plants for the Garden, with Kim Kolpin
• 7:30 PM Main Program: Kim Kolpin, Director, Bolsa Chica Stewards

This month as part of our “Orange County is Special” series, we turn to the great Bolsa Chica.  Focusing on the Mesa portion of the Reserve, Kim will give an overview of the history of Bolsa Chica, the issues and circumstances that have resulted from the property’s former uses and the restoration plan currently being designed, which will involve the establishment of multiple habitats with help from the community. Kim will discuss the future nursery design and the challenges faced by the project. The presentation will include historical photos, maps, current photos and conceptual design drawings.

Bolsa Chica Mesa by Connie Boardman

Kim Kolpin is one of the founding members and director of the Bolsa Chica Stewards, the restoration team of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. For eleven of the past fourteen years of the organization’s history, Mrs. Kolpin has led all of the group’s activities.  As a result of her work at Bolsa Chica, Mrs. Kolpin began a California native plant garden design firm in spring of 2008. Sage Landscape Designs now brings drought tolerant native gardens to homeowners in Southern California.

2.  Field Trips and Nature Walks  – Please Join Us!

• Saturday, March 20… San Mateo Marsh (Nature Walk) 10 am – Rare habitat for Orange County where freshwater marsh meets the ocean in San Clemente.
• Saturday, March 27… Caspers Park (Nature Walk) 9 am – Wildflowers like the Shooting stars below are plentiful at Caspers now, along with birds, butterflies and great views.
• Saturday, April 10… Driving tour of Irvine Ranch Conservancy – Wildflowers and Critters

All are welcome to join our two “Nature Walks” which are designed as an introduction to our local habitats for new enthusiasts, or our more traditional field trip to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.  Plentiful rains this winter have left their gift of lush hillsides, running streams, butterflies galore and great wildflowers.  Please register with Rich Schilk (birdGuy@naturalista.net) for more information and directions, or see our website http://occnps.org/ and click on the “Field Trips” link.

Shooting star, Dodecatheon clevelandii at Caspers Park, Photo: Laura Camp

Common Buckeye at Caspers Park, Photo: Laura Camp

San Mateo willows and cattails meet the ocean, Photo by Celia Kutcher

1.  Native Gardens Tour, May 8, 2010 – Save the Date!

Our Garden Tour committee has lined up eleven great gardens featuring California native plants that you won’t want to miss.  Please save this date and plan to be inspired and amazed at the beauty and creativity of the gardens.  If you can help, please consider spending a few hours as a greeter/guide in one of the gardens.  Contact Brad Jenkins, bradcjenkins@yahoo.com or Sarah Jayne, sbjayne@cox.net for further information, or see them at this week’s general meeting.

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

Meeting Cancellation

Our general meeting, originally scheduled for the evening of Thursday, January 21, 2010, has been cancelled due to weather concerns.  Heavy rain, wind and possible flooding are expected to affect the access to our normal meeting place at the Duck Club.

Please help spread the word to your friends without email.  We are sorry for any inconvenience, and hope you’ll join us on February 18 for speaker Lili Singer and “Native Trees for Urban Gardens”.

Kim Kolpin’s talk about Bolsa Chica will be rescheduled.  Thank you, and stay dry and safe!

CNPS-Orange County News, January 2010

In this eNews:

1. General Meeting, Thursday, January 21, 2010
2. Field Trips start in February

1.  General Meeting – Restoration, Past and Future at the Bolsa Chica Mesa

EDIT:  THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER.  THE SPEAKER WILL BE POSTPONED TO A FUTURE DATE.  WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

Please join us this Thursday night, January 21, 2010 at the Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine  (see http://occnps.org/ for directions):

6:45 PM doors open

7:15 PM Planting Natives feature: Top 10 Native Plants for the Garden, with Kim Kolpin

7:30 PM Main Program: Kim Kolpin, Director, Bolsa Chica Stewards

This month as part of our “Orange County is Special” series, we turn to the great Bolsa Chica.  Focusing on the Mesa portion of the Reserve, Kim will give an overview of the history of Bolsa Chica, the issues and circumstances that have resulted from the property’s former uses and the restoration plan currently being designed, which will involve the establishment of multiple habitats with help from the community. Kim will discuss the future nursery design and the challenges faced by the project. The presentation will include historical photos, maps, current photos and conceptual design drawings.

Bolsa Chica Mesa by Connie Boardman

Kim Kolpin is one of the founding members and director of the Bolsa Chica Stewards, the restoration team of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. For eleven of the past fourteen years of the organization’s history, Mrs. Kolpin has led all of the group’s activities. As director, she and landscape architect Guy Stivers are currently designing the Lower Bench restoration project for the Bolsa Chica Mesa. Mrs. Kolpin is also actively engaged in other Bolsa Chica Land Trust projects and issues. As a result of her work at Bolsa Chica, Mrs. Kolpin began a California native plant garden design firm in spring of 2008. Sage Landscape Designs now brings drought tolerant native gardens to homeowners in Southern California. She lives with her husband and three children in Huntington Beach.

2.  Field Trips and Nature Walks in February and March – Mark your Calendars

• Saturday, February 06… Trout Journey  Part I
• Saturday, February 13… Anza-Borrego
• Saturday, February 20… Caspers Park (Nature Walk)
• Saturday, February 27… Trout Journey  Part II
• Saturday, March 06… San Mateo Marsh (Nature Walk)
• Saturday, March 27… Trout Journey  Part III

Much of the information here is preliminary. Visit our chapter website at http://www.occnps.org/ for updates.  There are no fees for nature walks or field trips. Pre-registration is recommended, at http://www.occnps.org/. If you have questions, email Rich Schilk, birdguy@naturalista.net. Rain within 24 hours cancels the event.

Nature Walks

New this year, our nature walks are designed as an introduction to common plants in our area, and their relationship to the rest of our natural environment. Leaders are members of the California Native Plant Society or sister organizations.

Saturday, February 20, 9:00 AM: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

From the park website: [this] “8,000 acre protected wilderness preserve [is] nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains.” Stroll with us through groves of native Coast Live Oak and California Sycamore. Prepare to get your feet wet if streams are still running. In addition to plant identification, you will learn about the history and ecology of the area. The park admission fee is $5.00 per vehicle.

Saturday, March 6: San Mateo Marsh, 10:00 AM

This fresh-water marsh is a now-rare habitat at the mouth of one of Southern California’s very few remaining free-running watersheds. We will amble around the marsh’s perimeter on mostly-level trail (some along the beach), looking at the riparian, estuarine and other vegetation types, as well as early wildflowers. We’ll probably take a snack/lunch break along the way.

Field Trips

Trout Journey: From Shore to Chaparral, Leader: Joel Robinson, Naturalist for You

A series of three related outings following the historic journey of the endangered southern steelhead trout from the Santa Ana River Mouth, up Santiago Creek, and into the Santa Ana Mountains. Witness the transition between different plant communities, from saltwater to the headwaters.

Part I: Saturday, February 6, 9:00 AM: Salt Marsh at Santa Ana River Mouth, Newport Beach

Imagine you are a trout and you have to get to the mountains to spawn. From the ocean the tide carries you through the shallow marsh where you navigate through the cordgrass, cattails, and pickleweed to the Santa Ana River channel. The flow is against you, but your muscular tail propels you upstream towards the foothills. This is an opportunity to view wetland plants and wildlife (mostly birds) at the Santa Ana River mouth. Flat trail. Full sun exposure. Bring binoculars.

Part II: Saturday, February 27, 9:00 AM: A Creekside in Orange

Although there have been many obstacles, your sleek metallic shape and relentless determination have catapulted you many miles up the Santiago Creek. You swim under the shade of willows and pass by various drought-deciduous shrubs. This is an opportunity to see the transition between the valley and foothills. Flat trail. Full sun exposure. Bring binoculars. $5.00 parking fee for Part II.

Part III: March 27, 9:00 AM: Silverado Canyon, Maple Springs Truck Trail

Finally, your perseverance has brought you to the riparian forest where you were born. You swim through deep pools carved out of dark bluish-gray bedrock. Alders, bays, and maples shade the cold mountain stream and thick chaparral clothes the steep slopes of the canyon. It is time to spawn. This is an opportunity to see plants and wildlife of the Santa Ana Mountains. Wide, flat semi-paved trail. Gradual ascent. Partial shade. Bring binoculars. Adventure Pass needed for Part III.

Saturday, February 13: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Hunt for Pilostyles thurberi, Thurber’s stemsucker, in bloom – – Leader: Tom Chester

Pilostyles thurberi has been called Southern California’s most unusual wildflower. It is a parasite that is only visible when it produces its tiny blooms, which appear as tiny warts on the stem of its host plant. The human eye can just barely tell an open fresh flower from a dead flower, but a hand lens or macro camera reveals the difference clearly. Fonts Point Wash, within several hundred feet of the paved road S22, has 20 host plants with Pilostyles. We’ll survey them to try to find some in full bloom.

We will eat lunch, then spend an hour or two enjoying the Pilostyles and other plants of this area. Afterwards, for those interested in a longer outing, we will botanize other nearby canyons.

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

OC CNPS News – December 2009

1.  General Meeting, Thursday, December 17, 2009

2.  Nominations for Chapter Board

3.  Garden Tour, May 8, 2010 – still seeking a few gardens!

1.  General Meeting – It’s Your Turn!!

Please join us this Thursday night, December 17, 2009 at the Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine  (see http://occnps.org/ for directions):

6:45 PM-  Doors Open – Holiday Hospitality provided by board and members, special prices on selected books, tshirts and gifts.

7:30 PM- Main Program: Lights Out, Program Begins: It’s Your Turn!!

Members and guests are invited to share some favorite photos of native plants, wildlife, habitats, or gardens—local, California or anywhere in the world. What amazing and beautiful photos and creative presentations will we see this year?

Allium praecox in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Your board members will provide a festive spread on the hospitality table. If you have a special holiday recipe to share, please feel free. Come join us for a light-hearted and relaxing evening.

To make sure everyone gets the chance to share, and that we get home before Christmas arrives, the time for each presentation will be limited. So choose your 10 best photos and plan on a presentation of no more than 5 minutes. That’s right, 10 photos or 5 minutes, whichever is less.

Where in Orange County are we?

Digital photos must be in one of these standard digital photo formats: .jpg, .png, or .psd. They may be placed within a Powerpoint or a Keynote presentation file. Submit them on a flash drive, portable hard drive, CD, or DVD. (Windows users: do NOT submit them as an autoexec [.exe] file).

Video presentations must be in one of these standard video formats: .mov (preferred), .avi, .wmv, or .mpeg. (Windows users: do NOT submit them as an autoexec [.exe] file).

We hope you will choose to share your special memories.  If you’re bringing digital stuff, please try to arrive early to allow time for data transfer before the meeting. If there are questions, contact Laura Camp (campsjc@mac.com, about logistics) or Bob Allen (bugbob@mac.com, about technical details).

2.  Nominations

The chapter board has approved the nomination of the following members to board positions:

Sarah Jayne, Richard Schilk, Dan Songster – Board Members – 2010-11

Nancy Heuler – Board Secretary – 2010

We will ask for a vote of the general membership at the December 17th meeting to elect these chapter leaders.

Continuing in their current positions for 2010 will be Laura Camp-President, Brad Jenkins-Vice President, Jennifer Mabley-Treasurer, and Celia Kutcher-Board Member.

Thanks to Joan Hampton and Gene Ratcliffe who participated on the board during the past year (and prior!) for their service.

We have one opening on our chapter board, and we are open to new participation.  Volunteering with CNPS is very rewarding, and you can start small.  Please see any board member or committee chair if you have an interest in further involvement.

3.  Native Garden Tour – May 8, 2010

Put the above date on your calendars!  A number of outstanding native gardens have been identified for our tour, but we are still seeking a few gardens.  If you know of a garden or would like to participate, please contact Sarah Jayne at sbjayne@cox.net.

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

OC CNPS General Meeting November 19, 2009

Please join us this Thursday night, November 19th for two special presentations at the Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine  (see http://occnps.org/ for directions):

6:45 PM-  Doors Open

7:15 PM-  Planting Natives feature: Dan Songster–Tips for success during the planting season

7:30 PM- Main Program: Dr. Jutta Burger–Preserving the natural treasures of the historic Irvine Ranch

Orange County CNPS is dedicated to helping preserve and protect our native ecosystems. To help us understand and celebrate the treasures we have in Orange County we’ve embarked on an exploration of our special places through programs and newsletter articles. Our goal is to present a comprehensive and interesting view of the open spaces, habitats, parks and preserves in Orange County. Take the time to come to the entire series and you too will know the real wealth of Orange County.

For the first program in our Orange County is Special series, Dr. Jutta Burger will present “Preserving the Natural Treasures of the Historic Irvine Ranch”. She will describe the habitats, their regional importance, the vision and approach to managing them, and the various projects that are currently in progress. Highlights will include some observations from recent grassland and sensitive species surveys, some choice photos from wildlife camera operations, and plans for restoration and enhancement of some of our more invaded landscapes.

Limestone Canyon, Photo credit: Stephen Francis Photography

Jutta Burger co-manages the science and stewardship team of IRC. Her expertise is invasive species control, developing local genetically representative native seed for restoration, and using passive restoration to improve habitat. She also leads the volunteer land stewardship program, which assists with restoration and invasive species control. Prior to joining IRC, Jutta completed a post-doctoral research program at the University of Georgia, studying associations between cultivated and wild plants. She has a Ph.D. in plant biology and invasive plant evolution and ecology from the UC Riverside, an MS in biology from the University of Nebraska studying plant-insect interactions, and a BS in biology from Washington State. Jutta has published broadly in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is a member of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Ecological Society of America, and the Botanical Society of America. She has extensive experience with and technical expertise in southern Californian Mediterranean ecosystems.

Chocolate Lily, Photo credit: Stephen Francis Photography

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

CNPS Orange County News – OCTOBER is Planting Month!

In this Bulletin:

1.  General Meeting, Thursday, October 15, 2009

2.  Fall Benefit Plant Sale, Saturday, October 24, 2009

1.  GENERAL MEETING, Thursday, October 15, 2009

Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine

(see http://occnps.org/ for directions)

Doors open at 7:00 pm, Main Program at 7:30 pm

Topic: Secrets of the Native Landscape

Speaker: Greg Rubin

Thinking about going native but worried about what the neighbors will say? Afraid that natives are too difficult, look unpleasant half the year, constitute a fire hazard, or are just too easy to kill? Have we got a guest speaker for you!

Native horticulturalist and owner of California’s Own Native Landscape Design (http://calown.com/) Greg Rubin will share his vast experience with natives and his creativity. This special presentation will reveal many of the how-tos of native landscaping while exploring the little known and often surprising aspects of working with native plants in a landscape. Greg will dispel many of the myths related to native landscapes, showing successful summer planting of natives, natives landscapes that look great in summer and fall, native plantings that thrive with overhead watering, and native landscaping that can be extraordinarily fire resistant!

Garden design & photo courtesy of Greg Rubin

Greg Rubin, an aerospace engineer turned native landscape contractor, has been developing California gardens since the mid-80s and in 1993 started his own highly regarded design company, He has installed over 500 landscapes in Southern California and was part of the team that won the 2008 Grand Orchid Award for the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas. Greg is a well-known and passionate advocate for native plants and his work has been covered in Los Angeles Times, Sunset, Pacific Horticulture, and California Gardener. He has been a frequent guest of radio and television programs and regularly speaks to groups throughout southern California. Come to have fun, take notes, and be inspired by this dynamic speaker!

2.  FALL BENEFIT PLANT SALE – Saturday, October 24, 2009

Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, (949) 728-0685

http://www.californianativeplants.com/

Our annual plant sale at Tree of Life Nursery benefits the Orange County chapter and our programs, and it comes at the perfect time of the year to plant native plants.  Expert advice will be available all day.

Don’t miss our panel presentation at 10:00 am – “Water-Less gardens that you (and your neighbors) will love”.  Brad Jenkins will discuss neat, clean, easy native plants that are the backbone of your landscape, Nancy Heuler will discuss design aspects, and Gene Ratcliffe will present ideas for easy, reliable and striking accent plants.

Invite your friends and neighbors!  A flyer with complete information is available at http://occnps.org/. We depend on all of your support.

If you can volunteer to assist at this event, please contact Diane Wollenberg at yosemitegirl@cox.net.

Brad, Nancy and Gene teach in the Tree of Life "Indian" classroom

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

CNPS Orange County News – June ’09

In this Bulletin:

1. Chapter Celebration, June 18, 2009
2. Membership
3. Newsletters On-Line
4. Summer Hiatus

1.  CHAPTER CELEBRATION – 3^rd ANNUAL

June 18, 2009

Duck Club, Riparian View Way, Irvine (Directions here)

YOU ARE INVITED to a special celebration!

Schedule of Events:

• 5:30 pm            Bird Walk in San Joaquin Marsh with Rich Schilk
• 6:30 pm            Appetizers!  Silent Auction!  Fellowship!
• Slide show of Chapter Activities! Chapter Awards!
• 7:30 pm            Main Program, featuring Barbara Eisenstein
• Close                 Raffle

Chapter Activities-Here we are at Fullerton Arboretum, April 09

Don’t miss the chapter activities slide show – you might see your smiling face.  The silent auction and raffle have several great selections this year.  All attendees will receive a raffle ticket as a door prize and will have the opportunity to purchase additional raffle tickets.  Bring an item to contribute to the raffle and see Sarah Jayne to exchange it for free raffle tickets.

Our featured speaker, Barbara Eisenstein, is the former Horticulture Outreach and Education Coordinator at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, California.  Her talk, entitled “Native Grasses in the Garden”, will range from the small and fine textured to the large and robust grasses, showing us how easily these California grasses can add that special something for your garden. If you missed her talk at the recent “At Home with Natives” symposium, don’t miss her new presentation on our wonderful native grasses.

Aristida purpurea, photo by Gene Ratcliffe, Tree of Life Nursery

2.  MEMBERSHIP

Did you know that CNPS members receive discounts at select merchants? That includes a 10% discount on plant purchases at Tree of Life Nursery right in our Orange County backyard.

Here’s a full list of membership benefits.

Here’s where you can join or renew your membership.

3.  NEWSLETTERS

Our chapter bi-monthly newsletters, edited by Sarah Jayne, contain much more information than you receive in this monthly email!  Members receive their newsletter in the “snail” mail, but you can also check them out online at our website http://occnps.org/.  Go to the “Newsletters” link on the left side of the page.  Our July/August newsletter will be online by approximately July 1^st.

4.  SUMMER HIATUS

After our Chapter Celebration meeting, we go on hiatus for the summer months.  Our next monthly meeting will be on September 17, 2009, and our next monthly eNewsletter will be sent in September.  But while there will be no general membership meetings, the Chapter Board will be busy reviewing our accomplishments and making plans for the next year and into the future.  We welcome your input and participation in our Chapter direction.  Please contact any board member, or respond to this email, if you have ideas or feedback that you would like to share.

________________________________________________

UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event, or through membership. To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or body of your message.  For further information contact: California Native Plant Society – Orange County Chapter, P.O. Box 54891, Irvine, CA 92619-4891

CNPS Orange County News – April 2009

1.      General Meeting:  April 16, 2009

2.     Garden Tour:  May 2, 2009

3.     Outreach Events: Join Us!

1.   General Meeting:  Thursday, April 16, 2009

Please note SPECIAL location – We are NOT at the Duck Club this month!

LOCATION of meeting:  Fullerton Arboretum and Oak Hall, Campus of Cal State Fullerton

Directions to the Fullerton Arboretum:
North 57 – Exit Yorba Linda, turn left (west) South 57 – Exit Yorba Linda, turn right (west) • Exit Yorba Linda Blvd from 57 Freeway and proceed west • Turn Left (south) on Associated (first left turn at the signal) • Proceed to the Arboretum parking lot (2nd left) • Follow signs to free parking (noted in yellow) • Meet at Oak Hall

Heteromeles arbutifolia v. cerina 'Claremont' in Fullerton Arboretum

6:45-7:30 pm – Tour of Arboretum native plant areas – guided by Chris Barnhill

7:30 pm –  Main Program

Fire on the Island: Challenges and rewards

Speaker: Carlos de la Rosa, Ph.D.

Join us as Carlos de la Rosa of the Catalina Island Conservancy gives us a look at the fire history of Catalina, the effect of the two most recent fires including the devastating fire of 2007, which burned about 4800 acres (one tenth of the island!) of chaparral, grassland, rare coastal sage scrub, and oak woodland, as well as the effects of the non-native animals, including tourists, upon recovery efforts and directions.

Dr. de la Rosa is not a botanist, so his talk will range widely, touching upon all the aspects of fire and recovery. He states, “…the issues surrounding California wildfires are much more than botanical, but have strong social and economic elements of interest to all California residents.”

2.  Garden Tour:  Saturday, May 2, 2009

Sarkissian Garden in Trabuco Canyon

Are you looking for ideas and inspiration for your native garden?  Then don’t miss this opportunity.  You are invited to tour the garden that won Best Native Plant Garden and Grand Prize, Best Garden in Roger’s Gardens 2008 California Friendly Garden Contest.

Two guided tours of the Sarkissian garden in Silverado Canyon will be offered – one at 10 AM and one at 2 PM., Saturday, May 2. NOW is the time to email sbjayne@cox.net to reserve a spot. Be sure to state which tour time you prefer. You will receive directions with your confirmation notice.

Sarkissian garden

3.  Outreach Events:  April 2009

The Orange County Chapter of CNPS will be manning the booths and reaching out to the public at these events:

·      Green Scene, Fullerton Arboretum, April 18-19, 209

·      South Coast Plaza Garden Show, April 22-26, 2009 

Email Laura Camp at campsjc@mac.com if you can help with these events.  And if you visit, look for us and our new 8-foot tall banner, thanks to photos by Bob Allen and Laura Camp, and design by Flipside Graphic Design:

FINAL NOTE:

To unsubscribe, please reply to this email, leave the subject line as is, and type “Unsubscribe” in the body of your message.  THANK YOU!