Plants then insects are at the very bottom of the food chain; all higher forms of life depend on them for survival. An intact native plant habitat supports a diverse insect population, which in turn feeds birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other animals. Learn to identify the common native plants and insects of our area with California naturalists Karan Gathani and Arvind Kumar on a guided walk through Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, the largest and southernmost preserve in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

We will hike the Woods Trail with spectacular views of Mt. Hamilton and the Valley floor. Expect to see coast live oak, madrone, California bay, bigleaf maple, buckeye, bigberry manzanita, toyon, coffeeberry, cream bush, mountain mahogany and sticky monkeyflower. We may encounter butterflies, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, flies and spiders. Prepare to be edified, educated and entertained!

The elevation gain will be 600 ft.; the distance covered will be 5.4 miles roundtrip. Wear good walking/hiking shoes. Bring a sack lunch and plenty of fluids. Drinking water is not available in the preserve. Bring a hat and sunscreen; optionally, a hand lens and smartphone camera. We expect to return to the parking lot by 2pm.

Please RSVP via meetup.com/California-Native-Plant- Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/events/262085471. Directions to the trailhead are on the meetup page.