California Native Plant Society -- Marin Chapter Meetup

"Stewardship Planning at Point Reyes National Seashore"
Guest Speaker: Greg Richardson, Bio, The Nature Conservancy
Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:30 pm

Following a Revised Record of Decision (ROD) for Management of Ranching on Park Lands of Point Reyes National Seashore and departure of the majority of the dairy and cattle ranches, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will be working with the National Park Service (NPS) and partner organizations to steward former ranch lands for ecological benefit. They will use a variety of tools including targeted grazing to control invasive weeds and encroaching brush on former grassy pastures and range lands. TNC and Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA) are also coordinating with volunteers from the Marin Chapter of CNPS to monitor the impact of targeted grazing on a selection of rare plants.

During volunteer workdays we use hand tools to remove invasive plant species that threaten grassland and stream corridor ecosystems, including Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), and yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Invasive species can create dense populations that crowd out native plants, which in turns harms the wildlife that depend on them. Removing invasive plants protects habitat for milkweed and other pollinator plants, diverse wildflowers in the grasslands, and the many birds and insects that rely on native plants.

Marin County staff will provide tools and great snacks. Bring a reusable water bottle, sun and wind protection, long pants, sturdy close-toed shoes, and work/garden gloves (gloves provided if you don’t have them).

Heavy rain cancels, cancellations will be posted on Meetup.

Directions: Meet at the San Carlos Way entrance to Mt. Burdell OSP, north of San Marin Drive. Use 488 San Carlos Way for mapping. The work area is a short walk from the San Carlos trailhead.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/A74nosMCMqWSyPDU9

Please:

• Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026, if you have not done so already.
• Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
• Email marinCNPSvolunteers@gmail.com with questions.
• Sorry, no dogs on this trip.

California Native Plant Society Marin
Chapter Picnic at China Camp’s Miwok Meadows with Field Trips
Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:30 am to 3 pm
Please sign up for this event on Meetup or just show up.
Potluck Picnic
Get together informally with your CNPS friends and acquaintances for a potluck picnic. Share your recent wildflower discoveries, garden additions and visits, botanical insights, restoration achievements, and advocacy goals.
We will gather at noon and plan to start eating around 12:30.
Please bring:
· A potluck picnic dish to share w/ serving utensil.
· Reusable picnicware (the Chapter has plates & flatware to share, too)
· Picnic tablecloth if you have one.
· Your favorite beverage (no running water available at site)
Dress in layers for hot sun and cool shade. If it threatens showers, bring your beach umbrella.
Optional Field Trips
Let’s take advantage of the proximity of Turtle Back Hill. It is a lovely, varied trail traversing grasslands, scrub, and mixed evergreen forest, at the edge of saltmarsh of the San Francisco Bay Estuary. Docent led hikes begin at 10:30 am and 2 pm.
You can walk or drive to or from the trailhead (~ 1 mi. from Miwok Meadows). The Turtle Back Hill loop trail is fairly level and less than a mile.
Listen to the Turtle Back Trail Interpretive Audio Tour before or after the hike.
Here is an interesting article: “Tidal Marsh Vegetation of China Camp” by Peter Baye.
If you have not done so already, please sign the CNPS Marin 2026 Waiver
Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide - Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
Directions:
Picnic: We have reserved Miwok Meadows which is accessed by a dirt road off North San Pedro Road (the main park road) about .6 mi east of the China Camp Campground entrance. (Best access is from the north due to road work.) Parking is included in our rental.
Turtle Back Hill trailhead is on North San Pedro Road about .3 mi east of the campground entrance. (Best access is from the north due to road work.) Park along the road there or walk about 1 mile from Miwok Meadows picnic area along Shoreline Trail.
Email Ann Elliott with any questions.
Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: 530-588-2555
Limit: 100