Why do plants grow where they grow? Why do some plants grow with the same set of other plants? In nature, plants grow in readily identifiable communities or associations united by location (soil, topography, and microclimate).
Join us as we explore the common plant communities of the South Bay. We offer two plant ID walks for beginners: The first on January 14 in Almaden Quicksilver County Park; the second on February 18 in Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. More about the Coyote Valley walk appears later in this section.
Beginners interested in plant identification are welcome; prior knowledge of native plants or botany is not required. Bring a hat, water, a bag lunch, and your favorite trail accessories (camera/smartphone/hand lens/binoculars/field guide/none). Dress in layers, and appropriately for winter weather. Heavy rain cancels.
Space is limited. RSVP through meetup.com to reserve your spot: visit www.meetup.com/California-Native- Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter. These two walks are organized by our Chapter of CNPS and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.
On February 18, Arvind Kumar will take us on the Arrowhead Loop Trail in Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, which goes through grassland, chaparral, and oak woodland. We expect to see serpentine outcrops and unique native plants that grow in this inhospitable medium. The distance covered will be 4 miles with 600’ of elevation gain/loss. Effort level: moderate.
Coyote Valley OSP is located at 550 Palm Ave. in Morgan Hill. See the Meetup listing for details. We’ll meet in the parking lot.
Sun May 05 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Calero Park Native Plant Hike (South San Jose) |
Mon May 06 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Fri May 10 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat May 11 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sun May 12 Limited Online Plant Sale |
Sun May 12 @10:30AM - 01:30PM Plant ID Walk at Alum Rock Park (East San Jose) |
Mon May 13 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Tue May 14 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM Conservation Committee |
Thu May 16 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM Propagating Native Plants at Home, a talk by Stanley Gu |
Fri May 17 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |