California Native Plant Society - Santa Clara Valley Chapter

Note: This talk is in-person only.

Native plants provide an abundance of resources for insects, bird and animal life. The beneficial relationship between native plants and the wildlife that relies on them has been well-established. Come to this talk to learn how selecting even a few California native plants for a garden or restoration plot can make a significant difference in the overall populations of beneficial insects and animals. Gardeners with little experience can add to a local pollinator pathway to support these critters as they browse our neighborhoods. You may even find success in potted plants on patios or balconies. These scattered oases can become pollinator hubs of sorts, further boosting populations of insects, lizards, birds and other animals.
The talk will be accompanied by a slideshow that includes numerous photos revealing the many relationships between California native plants and the insects and animals that rely on them.

Speaker bio:
John Kehoe is a longtime member of CNPS and sees himself as a California Naturalist, a citizen scientist, an occasional docent and an environmental advocate. He frequently volunteers at Grassroots Ecology habitat restoration events and various CNPS functions. You might see him at BioBlitz events as well. His research interests include studying insects, plants and ecosystems with a passion for our native bees. He shares these interests by way of his photography on Flickr and iNaturalist.

Photo: A recently-planted native garden in bloom for Growing Natives Garden Tour that features Ceanothus, Siskiyou Wooly Sunflower Daisy, poppies, blue-eyed grasses and more.

This talk will be approximately 1 hour long, followed by 10-15 minutes of Q&A.