About us
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:
- New: CNPS Marin Waiver for 2026
- 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
13
Wildflower Field Trips on Ring Mountain, Tiburon
Taylor Rd. Trailhead for Ring Mountain Tiburon, CA, 37.912990, -122.488025, Tiburon, CA, USLeader: Alison Pence or Karen Madsen
Join Ring Mountain Docents Alison Pence and Karen Madsen for short wildflower forays 10 am to 12:30. See schedule below.
Each few weeks different wildflowers become showy.
There are two possible meeting locations off Paradise Road in Tiburon. Please check which trailhead to meet at for the date you plan to go. See map below.
· Taylor Road Trailhead off Paradise Dr. From Taylor Road Trailhead, the group will walk out and back about 2 miles.
· Phyllis Ellman Trailhead on Paradise Dr. The Phyllis Ellman/Loop trail hike is about 2.5 miles, with about 600 feet of elevation gain and drop.| | Date | Time | Name/location | Leader |
| --- | ---- | ---- | ------------- | ------ |
| Sun. | 4/5/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence |
| Thurs. | 4/23/26 | 10-12:30 | Paradise Dr. - Phyllis Ellman Trailhead | Karen Madsen |
| Sun. | 5/24/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence |
| Tues. | 5/26/26 | 10-12:30 | Paradise Dr. - Phyllis Ellman Trailhead | Karen Madsen |
| Sun. | 6/7/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence |Bring: Water, lunch/snack, rain gear, and hiking poles if desired.
If you have not done so already, please sign the CNPS Marin 2026 Waiver
Note: Destructive invasive plant pathogens and weed seeds can be transported to sensitive plant habitats when contaminated soil or plant material is shed from footwear, equipment (such as hiking poles), and other personal items. See these 2 brochures for how you can minimize your impact. Pocket Guide - Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
20 attendees
Habitat Restoration at Alder Creek Preserve, Inverness
Alder Creek Preserve, Inverness, CA, 105 Vision Rd #101, Inverness, CA, USJoin CNPS and Friends to weed the Alder Creek Preserve restoration site in Inverness.
In 2023, the Inverness Association (IA), cleared the site of a large acacia forest. Since then, an enthusiastic group of IA members, neighbors, and SPAWN volunteers have planted a mix of native trees and shrubs and watered them throughout the summer.
Now the focus turns to tackling the weeds: acacia seedlings, poison hemlock, vinca, African veldt grass, and others. We'd love to have your help!
Location: The site is located about a 1/2 mile north of Inverness village, at the corner of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and Vision Rd. For more information, contact Carolyn Longstreth at cklongstreth@gmail.com.
If you have not done so already, please sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026
Bring: gloves, kneeling pads, and your favorite weeding tool.
Late registrants and walk ins are welcome.2 attendees
Ring Mountain Geology and Wildflowers
End of Westward dr., Park Entrance, 298 Westward Drive, Corte Madera, CA, USRing Mountain Geology and Wildflowers
Saturday, May 30, 2026, 2:30 to 5 pm
Leaders: Nicole Myers and Kristin Jakob
Please sign up for this field trip on Meetup.Join geologist Nicole Myers and botanist Kristin Jakob for a late afternoon ramble on Ring Mountain in Tiburon. Learn how the amazing and unique geology of this mountain is the basis for its landscape, rocks, and soils. We will see the relationship between these landforms and the plant communities that they support.
Geologic highlights are serpentinite outcrops and metamorphic rocks of basaltic origins in the upper portions and sandstone and shale formations on the lower slopes. The nutrient poor serpentinite supports rare plants like the Tiburon Mariposa lily and Marin dwarf flax. Along our route, we will encounter an array of native plants and flowers depending on weather. Wavy-leaved soap plant blossoms start opening about 4 pm, which will make our descent from the mountain enchanting.Directions:
Meet at the end of Westward Dr. off of Paradise Dr. in Tiburon (near 208 Westward). We will connect with the Phyllis Ellman Trail part way up.Bring: Water, a snack. Dress in layers.
Rain cancels. Check Meetup for notification.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
Email Kristin (akristinjakob@gmail.com) with any questions.
Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: 650-608-1274Limit 20.
20 attendees
Mt. Burdell Habitat Restoration Work Party!
Mt. Burdell, 488 San Carlos Way, Novato, CA, USMt. Burdell Habitat Restoration Work Party!
Thursday, June 4, 9-11am
Leader: Greg Reza, Marin County Parks and Open Space District Volunteer Program Coordinator
Marin CNPS Coordinators: Stacey Pogorzelski and Caroline Christman
Location: Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve, NovatoJoin a community of habitat restorers! Marin CNPS is partnering with Marin County Open Space District staff to remove invasive species and improve native habitat at Mt. Burdell. Located at the northern edge of Novato, Mt. Burdell has serpentine grasslands with rare plants, an incredible array of oaks, and seasonal streams that support milkweed- the critical host for Monarch butterflies.
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/A74nosMCMqWSyPDU9Please:
- 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.
5 attendees
Past events
222
Group links
Members
1,537
