What we’re about
Want to learn more about Marin native plants? Join us for field trips, lectures, and work parties. Most of our events are free to our members and to the public. For more information, check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter.
For over 50 years, we have been dedicated to the conservation of California native plants and their natural habitats, and to increasing the understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. Annual membership donations to the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) support our programs and conservation work. Additional benefits include our quarterly magazine Flora, our twice-yearly scientific journal Artemisia, and discounts at local nurseries.
Please:
- Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2025, if you have not done so already.
- Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
- Treat everyone with respect.
- No dogs at these events.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Stinson Beach Native Seed Collecting with Pollinator PartnershipDipsea Trailhead Parking, stinson beach, CA
Stinson Beach Native Seed Collecting with Pollinator Partnership Wednesday, September 10th, 9:30-11:30am
Leaders: James Hart, Pollinator Partnership Conservation Manager; Caroline Christman, Marin CNPS
Location: Lower Dipsea Trail, near Stinson BeachJoin Pollinator Partnership in collecting local native wildflower seed! We will be gathering seed from several species along the lower portion of the Dipsea Trail near Stinson Beach to help support habitat restoration in a nearby monarch butterfly overwintering site. We will be looking for bush monkey flower, California goldenrod, Pacific aster, pearly everlasting, and perhaps some other species along the way. There are different techniques used for collecting these different species, so we will spend time discussing each as we come across them.
Pollinator Partnership staff will guide participants in proper seed collecting techniques, including sanitary protocols to ensure ecologically sound collecting. This seed collection event is part of Project Wingspan: Golden State, an initiative of Pollinator Partnership funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Seed collected through this event will be grown into live plants and used for habitat planting in the area. You can learn more about Project Wingspan on our website.
We will be hiking an approximately 1-mile stretch of the lower Dipsea Trail. We will start our hike at the Dipsea Trailhead Parking Area on Panoramic Highway just off Highway 1 near Stinson Beach. The hike will be a total of 2 miles roundtrip, going out and back along the Dipsea Trail. This section of the trail will involve some moderate elevation gain, increasing about 250 feet over 1 mile, with some wooden stairs built into the trail in the first couple of hundred yards. The trail is in good condition.
Pollinator Partnership staff will provide the supplies needed (pruners, bags, gloves) for collecting seed. Please bring snacks, water, appropriate layers (it could be cool if foggy or warm if sunny) and sun protection. Pants are recommended, as there is some poison oak on the sides of the trails.
This event will be rescheduled if there is rain.
Maximum Group Size: 15 peopleDirections: Meet at the trailhead near the intersection of Panoramic Highway and Highway 1. This is before you enter the main downtown area of Stinson Beach. There is a dirt parking area that can fit roughly 12 cars. You can find the exact location on Google Maps here. If this lot is full, you can find additional parking in the larger Stinson Beach parking lot here.
Please: Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2025, if you have not done so already. Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
Sorry, no dogs on this trip.
- Abbot's LagoonPoint Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes station, CA
Abbotts Lagoon
Summer Exploration of Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore
Friday, September 12, 2025 9:30 am to 1 pm
Leaders: Ann Elliott & Stacey PogorzelskiPlease sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2025
We cannot get enough of the trail to Abbotts Lagoon. It holds interest year-round. We will pass through extensive coastal scrub (great bird habitat). We will check out the plants in the two marshes and along the trail to the brackish lagoon.
Depending on timing we will continue into the dunes to see what is blooming there. We give no promises on specific flowers; just come to enjoy a special spot in cooler coastal weather.
The trail to the bridge across Abbott’s Lagoon slopes down gently 1.4 miles. Explorations in the dunes may be on loose sand.
Relevant Plant Lists and Visual Photo Guides:
Abbotts Lagoon Public Trail plants
Abbotts Lagoon Marshes plants
Summer Wildflowers of Abbotts Lagoon area visual guide
Marsh Plants of Point Reyes visual guide
Point Reyes Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants visual guideDirections: Meet at the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead along Pierce Point Rd in Point Reyes National Seashore.
Bring: Water and lunch. Dress in layers for variable coastal weather. Optional: binoculars for wildlife and a loupe/hand lens for examining plants up close.
Email Ann with any questions. annonfire@gmail.com
Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: 530-521-4402Field trip limit of 20.
- Volunteer Workday at Marin County Parks & OSD Native Plant NurseryLagoon Park - Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA
Volunteer Workday at Marin County Parks & Open Space District Native Plant Nursery
Tuesday, September 16, 10am-12pm
Leaders: Aja Wylder, Marin County Parks Nursery Manager; Stacey Pogorzelski, Marin CNPS
Location: Marin County Native Plant Nursery in San Rafael, near the Marin County Civic Center.Join us for a fun morning of pruning and transplanting native plants at the Marin County Parks and Open Space District Nursery. Set in a lovely, shaded garden, the Nursery grows native plants to be used in habitat restoration projects throughout parks and natural preserves in Marin. Aja will provide a tour of the nursery, demonstrate nursery methods, and describe how the plants being grown will be used in restoration projects. Volunteer activities may include pruning, potting up seedlings, transplanting plants into larger pots, pot washing, or working in the native plant garden.
Volunteers should wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and clothing layers they don't mind getting dirty. Please bring sun protection and a water bottle. Gloves and tools will be provided. No prior nursery experience is required.
Directions to the Marin County Native Plant Nursery:
From the south, drive north on Highway 101 to the San Pedro Rd. exit. Take the San Pedro Rd. exit and stay to the right. At the light, turn left onto Civic Center Drive. Turn right onto Matthew Hymel Drive, just before the Lagoon Park. This looks like a big parking lot, but you’re in the right spot. Follow the road to the end of the parking lot and park. There is a gate in the fence on the north, walk through the gate and the nursery will be on your right.
From the north, drive south on Highway 101 to the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway exit. Turn left onto Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy and follow it over the highway, then go left to stay on the Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy and make an immediate right onto Civic Center Drive. Follow Civic Center Drive past the Lagoon Park and then turn left onto Matthew Hymel Drive, just after Lagoon Park. This will look like a big parking lot. Follow the road to the end of the parking lot and park. There is a gate in the fence on the north, walk through the gate and the nursery will be on your right.
Please note that the nursery is a short walk from the Civic Center SMART Train station.
See attached map for parking and walking directions.
Max: 10 volunteers
