Life Among the Oaks
The oaks are like the supermarket of natural habitats. - Nick Jensen, CNPS Conservation Program Director
Please join us on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9:30 am - 4 pm for our 50th Wildflower Show at West Valley College. This family-friendly event features hundreds of native wildflowers and plants on display as well as a variety of activities for all ages. The event and parking are all free to the public.
Our keynote speakers this year are
John Muir Laws and Kate Marianchild.
The show will feature hundreds of species of wildflowers and native plants from Santa Clara, San Mateo and surrounding counties gathered and identified by our volunteer collectors. In addition to local plants, we will have a section featuring flowers from native plant gardens in our Chapter.
Talks
| SOD Blitz Kickoff Douglas Schmidt, Ph.D. 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM  |
Keeping a nature journal: Oak Woodland Edition John Muir Laws 11:00 AM - 12:10 PM  |
|
Protecting Native Plants and Nature: |
From Butterflies to Bears: |
Workshops and Tours
| Activity | Time |
| Wildflower arrangement | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Oak and Insect walk with interns Donovan Belardes & Eliott Brammer | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Native Garden tour with Leticia Gallardo and Molly Schrey | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
| Vasona Creek tour with Scott Ludwig | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
| BioBlitz and Photography with Merav Vonshak and Michael Hawk | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Music
| Performer | Time |
| Bill Walker, Jazz Keyboardist | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
A selection of native plants and native plant art, t-shirts, books and other related goods will be available for purchase. A SOD (Sudden Oak Death) Blitz Station will be available at the show for people who would like to participate in the 2023 SOD Blitz. More information is available at sodblitz.org. Food is available from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Saratoga Farmer's market.
Vendors
Nurseries and Seeds
- CNPS SCV Nursery
- Grassroots Ecology (limited plant sale)
- Down by the Bay Nursery
- CANativeSeeds (California Native Seeds)
Books, Art, Jewelry, Gifts and more!
- CNPS SCV: Used and new books, t-shirts & posters
- Coyote Brush Studios
- Emily Chin Pressed Flower Jewelry
- Simple Wealth - Jewelry from recycled copper pipe and broken brass drum cymbals
- Central Coast Snake Services (stop by to see snake ambassadors!)
- Stone Pine Studios
- Kate Marianchild
- Winter Badger Collection Gift Shop
Information Tables
- Midpeninsula Open Space District
- SOD Blitz
- San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
- City of San Jose - Parks Recreation and Neighborhood Services
- Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
- Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance
- Sequoia Bird Alliance
- CNPS SCV Wildflower Ambassadors
- Hidden Villa
- Peninusla Humane Society & SPCA Saratoga Wildlife Center
- Valley Water
Volunteer!
The show depends on volunteers - please consider helping if you have time. It's a great way to meet new people while learning more about the plants. Sign up here.
The West Valley College campus is located at 14000 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga. The show will be located in the Biology wing of the Science and Math buildings, which parallels Allendale Avenue. Free parking in lot 2 and 3 during the event.
