What we’re about
This group is for anyone interested in California native plants. We have activities for everyone -- whether you enjoy hiking, gardening, photography or in other ways learning about California native plants, this is the group for you. We have volunteer and restoration projects opportunities in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Please join us!
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of California's native plants and how to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship. The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of CNPS covers Santa Clara County and southern San Mateo County. For more information about our organization visit www.cnps-scv.org. If you're not a current member of the California Native Plant Society, please consider joining: https://www.cnps.org/membership
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Ten Easy Steps to Creating a Bird Friendly Garden, a talk by Brian DirkingBelmont Public Library, Belmont, CA
There are few things more rewarding than drawing birds to your garden and providing all the elements they need to survive and raise their young. For many gardeners, just a few simple changes can make all the difference. In this talk, we’ll take a look at gardening from a bird’s perspective and then delve into the ten elements that can transform your garden into a bird paradise. Attendees will receive a free packet of California native wildflowers that benefit birds that they can try out in their own gardens.
Brian Dirking has loved gardening from an early age, helping his grandmother in her backyard and nurturing her prizewinning African violets. For much of his adult life he dedicated his leisure time to fruit and vegetable gardening, and maintaining a healthy lawn. But in 2020 he realized that he could save time, money and the planet by converting most of his yard to a native habitat garden. Inspired by Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope, he has planted hundreds of California native plants in his small San Carlos garden to create a lush and vibrant oasis that feeds bees, butterflies, birds and more! Now that he is freed from the tyranny of lawn maintenance and expense, you can find him lounging in a hammock listening to birdsong and admiring year-round blooms and berries in his garden. You can visit Brian’s garden on the Growing Natives Garden Tour on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Register for the tour at gngt.org.
Photo by Charley Pow
- Ten Easy Steps to Creating a Bird Friendly Garden, a talk by Jennifer DirkingMillbrae Library, Millbrae, CA
There are few things more rewarding than drawing birds to your garden and providing all the elements they need to survive and raise their young. For many gardeners, just a few simple changes can make all the difference. In this talk, we’ll take a look at gardening from a bird’s perspective and then delve into the ten elements that can transform your garden into a bird paradise. Attendees will receive a free packet of California native wildflowers that benefit birds that they can try out in their own gardens.
Jennifer Dirking has been an organic gardener for over 40 years, but only recently transformed her garden from a food desert to a habitat oasis in her suburban San Carlos neighborhood. Inspired by Doug Tallamy’s book Nature’s Best Hope, she has reached beyond her garden fence to develop partnerships and inspire hundreds of others throughout the Bay Area to begin their own native gardening journey. Her simple tactics involving free wildflower seeds and promotion via social media provide a model for other individuals and organizations that want to reach further into their communities as well. She is currently the Chair of the Wildflower Ambassador program at our CNPS Chapter. You can visit Jennifer's garden on the Growing Natives Garden Tour on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Register for the tour at gngt.org.
Photo by Charley Pow
- Where to Find Wildflowers in the Bay Area a talk by Judy FenertyLink visible for attendees
Join us for an informal discussion about our favorite places to see wildflowers in the chapter area and around the Bay. Bring your suggestions and questions, let’s share ideas for the best trails and parks to appreciate our local floral diversity!
Judy Fenerty is a past president of our CNPS Chapter and a member of our Chapter’s field trip committee.
This talk will be live streamed simultaneously on Zoom (requires advance registration) and YouTube (registration NOT required).
- Photo Group MeetingNeeds location
The CNPS SCV Photo Group meets via zoom on 4th Fridays, 7-9pm. In this supportive peer group, beginners and experts are equally welcome. Folks who just want to see pictures and hear photo tips are welcome too.
Register at the link below for the next meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdemsqjwvGtBT0xqAWOyK5G7zu-6MZWelAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a zoom link for the meeting.
If you have pictures to share, sign up for a slot. Share your pictures, techniques, and ideas from your desktop via zoom. Slots are 20 minutes each; plan your photos and discussions accordingly. Presenters receive a 1-minute-remaining alert. Signup for a slot at the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a9a729aafd0-cnps18To participate in other Photography Group activities, join the email list:
https://cnps-scv.org/activities/photography-group