What we’re about
We protect and enjoy California native plants together -- go on field trips, enjoy lectures and local hikes. Learn about native plants of the East Bay and beyond with us !
- Dogs: We apologize, but ask that dogs not attend events.
- Legal Disclaimer: by joining this group or participating in an event, members and any guests agree to be 100% responsible for their own safety and health. Members and any guests agree to hold harmless and indemnify California Native Plant Society, its representative chapters, any organizers, event leaders, agents and employees from any and all liability arising from the existence of this group. Members agree to notify any guests of this legal requirement before participation in a group activity. Additionally, if the member or participant is a minor, the minor's responsible adult must agree to this release of liability regarding the minor before the minor may participate.
You can find out more about the Society's activities on our chapter's website: www.ebcnps.org.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Plant Walk on the Mary Bowerman Trail (Mount Diablo Summit)Mount Diablo Upper Parking Lot, Mt Diablo, CA
David Margolies will lead a field trip around the summit of Mt. Diablo on Sunday, May 25 at 2:00 PM.
Meet at the large parking lot near (but not at) the summit. We will take the Mary Bowerman Trail, which circumnavigates the summit.
The flowers are similar to those at the mountain base in April. Because the trail is narrow, we have to put a limit on the number of attendees.
The walk is about 1 mile long.
Photo by calwhiz
- Learn to Identify East Bay Dandelions--and Fall in Love with Them!Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Lafayette, CA
Fall in love with dandelions! Bruce Homer-Smith will take us deep into the gorgeous and underappreciated world of plants in the dandelion tribe (family Asteraceae). Learn how to identify members of the dandelion tribe--beginners welcome! (There will also be a used book giveaway at this meeting.)
PLEASE NOTE: This month's meeting takes place in person in Lafayette and won't be livestreamed or recorded.
Bruce Homer-Smith will take you deep into the gorgeous and underappreciated world of plants in the East Bay dandelion tribe of the Asteraceae family. We have 38 species in the East Bay, 22 of them native.
Agenda
- How Bruce came to fall in love with the dandelions.
- An introduction to Bruce’s website, PlantID.net.
- Slides showing what to look for when you meet a member of the Asteraceae in the field.
- How to use Bruce’s “Field Key to the East Bay Dandelion Tribe.” It’s picture-based and uses easily observable field characteristics. We’ll have lots of copies on hand ($10 if you want to take one home).
- As a group, we’ll look at slides and use the key to identify species, then you’ll look at specimens and identify species on your own or in a small group.
If you have a hand lens, bring it to see the beauty of the flowers up close. (You’ll be able to use the dandelion key without any flower magnification.)
Bruce’s goal: to get you to come to a screeching halt every time you encounter a member of the dandelion tribe. Once you get acquainted with these beauties, you’ll keep learning more as you encounter them in different seasons and settings. You’ll be digging into nature instead of passing it by.
Bruce Homer-Smith is the author of PlantID.net, a non-commercial, educational website designed for people curious about California’s wild plants. He’s been adding to it for 14 years, ever since he retired as a database developer. He uses pictures and short descriptions to tell stories about the plants in our local parks. His goal is to show you enough so that you’ll be able to recognize and make friends with the plants you encounter.
Here’s an extra incentive to attend this meeting: We’ll be giving away a nice selection of gently used books on botany, gardening, and wildlife biology.
CNPS East Bay Chapter meetings are free of charge and open to everyone. We provide light refreshments at our in-person meetings.
Email programs@ebcnps.org if you have questions.Please note: this month's meeting takes place in person and won't be livestreamed or recorded.
MEETING LOCATION
Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
The Community Hall is on the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd and First Street, and the entrance is opposite the main entrance to the Lafayette Library.
Via BART: 0.6 mile from the Lafayette BART stationFree Parking Options:
Parking garage beneath library building (accessed from Golden Gate Way)
Lot on Mt. Diablo Blvd immediately east of library building
Surrounding streets
