December 2005 fa r-\ k, " 7 ‘ The Bay Leaf California Native Plant Society • East Bay Chapter • Alameda & Contra Costa Counties www.ebcnps.org CALENDAR OF EVENTS Chapter Council Meeting and Banquet Saturday, December 3, Faculty Club at the University of California at Berkeley 8:30 am-noon, CNPS Chapter Council Meeting in the Seaborg room Noon-1 pm, lunch hour 1:00 pm-5:30 pm Chapter Council Meeting contin- ues 5:30 pm-6:30 pm Social Hour & no-host bar, Heyn’s Dining Room 6:30 pm-7:30 pm annual banquet, Heyn’s Dining Room 7:30 pm-9:00 pm evening program: Dispersal and establishment strategies of ectomycorrhizal fungi in post-fire California Forests by Tom Bruns, Ph.D, De- partment of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California at Berkeley Native Here Nursery p. 4 Fridays, December 2, 9, 16, 23, Native Here open 9- noon Saturdays, December 3, 10, 17, 24, nursery open 10-1 Field Trips see below East Bay Chapter Election Please send in your ballot for the election of Chapter officers postmarked by December 31. The ballot is on the last page of the November Bay Leaf If you don’t want to cut your copy of the Bay Leaf, you can down- load the November issue from the East Bay Chapter web site, www.ebcnps.org. FIELD TRIPS Sunday, December 4, 9:30 am, field trip to Mount Diablo led by Gregg Weber. We will take the Back Creek Trail to Murchio Gap, then return via Meridian Ridge Road. We start at 600 ft elevation. The first mile is a dirt road through oak woodland and riparian areas, then we are on a single track trail through steep, rocky more open areas, eventually becoming chaparral. We won’t need chaps since someone has built trails through the chaparral. For those who want a short easy walk, you can turn around at Tickwood Trail, which is a mile from the start. Otherwise we will continue uphill for another 1 mile until we arrive at Murchio Gap at 2350 ft. On the return, we will take Meridian Ridge Road. Directions: Take Ignacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek towards Clayton. Turn right on Clayton Road. In Clayton, go past the first place where Marsh Creek Road intersects on the right. A mile later, Clayton Road again intersects Marsh Creek Road. Go straight; the road becomes Marsh Creek Road. Turn right at Regency Drive and go to the end where we will meet. Rain will not cancel, bring poncho, and shoes that won’t be ruined by mud. Sunday, December 11, 2005, field trip to San Pedro Valley County Park, San Mateo County led by David Margolies. Meet at the main parking lot at 2:00 pm. San Pedro Valley County Park is on one side of Montara Mountain. It has a maritime climate so there are usu- ally things in bloom all year round (though less this late in the year). We will look at shrubs and trees, including Garry a, manzanita, and creek dogwood. The emphasis will be on identification without flowers, using leaf ar- rangement and venation, fruits or fruit remnants, and twig and bud details. To get to the park: take Highway 1 south from San Francisco to the south end of Pacifica (you pass through an area that is not built up after the main portion of the town and then get to the south end and continued on page 2 continued from page 1 a built-up area again) . Turn left (east) onto Linda Mar Boulevard. Follow Linda Mar until it ends at Oddstad Boulevard. Turn right and proceed one block to the park entrance. The main parking lot is just after the pay station. You must pay for parking even if the sta- tion is not staffed. Be prepared for mud and/or rain. The walk will take place regardless of the weather. Please contact David Margolies (510-654-0283, divaricatum@aol.com) if you need further information. January 8, 2005, Huddert County Park, San Mateo County. Meet at the main parking lot (off Kings Moun- tain Road) at 2:00 pm. Fetid Adder’s Tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) is usually out early in the year on the Crystal Springs Trail in the redwood forests in this pleasant UPCOMING PROGRAMS December 2005. No meeting (happy solstice and happy holidays!) January 25, 2006. Joint program with Bay Nature magazine in celebration of its fifth anniversary. Oak- land Museum Auditorium. More details in the Janu- ary Bay Leaf. county park. The walk is about 1.5 miles, with an elevation change of two hundred feet or so. To get to the park: take 1-280 south from San Francisco to the Woodside Road (State 84) exit. Take Woodside Road (84) west about 1.5 miles through the village of Wood- side and take a right onto Kings Mountain Road. The park entrance is on the right a mile or two up the hill. The main parking lot is just after the pay station. You must pay for parking even if the station is not staffed. Be prepared for mud and/or rain. The walk will take place regardless of the weather. Please contact David Margolies (510-654-0283, divaricatum@aol.com) if you need further information. Janet Gawthrop February 22, 2006. Jack Laws — Creation of a Sierra Nevada Field Guide, Orinda Library Garden Room, 7:30 pm Sue Rosenthal CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Jessica Olson will be leaving her position as the first East Bay Conservation Analyst on December 1 in order to accept a full time position with the Sonoma Ecology Center. She will be sorely missed. Jessica has been a joy to work with and she has considerably increased the ef- fectiveness of the Chapter Conservation Committee. She has shepherded us through the comment period on the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan — final comments are due her last day with us. There have been many other projects, some small, others larger that she has fostered. The chapter intends to continue the position of Conser- vation Analyst and is in the process of hiring someone to continue the good work Jessica started. If you have not yet responded to the appeal for funds, please do so. On behalf of the chapter conservation committee, I wish Jessica good luck in her new job. Charli Danielsen, Conservation Committee Chair CONSERVATION ANALYST JOB OPENING East Bay Conservation Analyst A Half Time Job Applications accepted until December 1 , 2005 or until position is filled. Background The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a state- wide non-profit conservation organization founded in 1965, with some 10,000 members in 32 chapters. The mission of CNPS is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through scientific study, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship. The East Bay Chapter of CNPS (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) has over 1200 members. The Position The East Bay Conservation Analyst is an exempt or non-exempt position depending on experience; work hours are flexible, requiring an average of 20 hours per week. The Conservation Analyst analyzes the find- 2 THE BAY LEAF December 2005 ings of the chapter’s plant science committees, plans advocacy for effective native habitat protection and preservation in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and works with volunteers to carry out the priorities set with the East Bay Chapter Conservation Committee. The East Bay Conservation Analyst is supervised by the Executive Director (ED) of statewide CNPS. The ED will review or delegate review of performance based on the job description and will be kept informed of activi- ties. The East Bay Conservation Analyst and Chapter Conservation Committee will work as a team. Work plans developed by the team will be submitted to the Chapter leadership (Chapter Conservation Chair and/ or Chapter President) and the ED. Principal Duties and Responsibilities The core of the Chapter’s conservation work involves representing the interests of the native flora to planning agencies. This typically involves reviewing and com- menting on planning documents (EIR’s, ULLs, HCPs, etc.), and attending and speaking at public meetings. Our mission also involves planning and coordinating with other environmental groups, educating agency staff and other conservation activists on plant and vegetation issues, building working relationships with such people, and making sure they have access to CNPS-generated resources such as the Unusual Plants List. The duties of the East Bay Conservation Analyst in- clude the following: • Analyze scientific data accumulated by chapter and state CNPS plant science programs for relevance to local issues. • Stay up to date on CNPS conservation policies and positions the East Bay Chapter has taken on projects and issues. • Develop working relationships with groups and agencies involved in land use planning decision making, including raising their awareness of CNPS planning resources. • Develop advocacy strategy and prioritize projects with our Conservation Committee. • Work with the Conservation Committee (which includes chairs of the various plant science committees) to develop a specific work plan and budget for each project identified in d. • Brief CNPS representatives (volunteers, consul- tants, or other staff) on assigned tasks within the work plans so that representation is con- sistent. • Assure that all relevant meetings are covered either in person, or by another CNPS repre- sentative who has been briefed on the project, issues, availability of scientific data, etc. • Lead EBCNPS’ review and comment on environ- mental planning documents; work with chapter officers on submitting comments. • Prepare necessary internal reports to the East Bay Chapter, the CNPS state office, and the CNPS Executive Director. (May use the Conservation Committee Chair to help with these). Compensation The compensation for the Conservation Analyst is up to $20,000 a year (qualifications of the applicant will determine hourly rate or salary) with medical and va- cation benefits. A cell phone account and computer equipment will be provided. The duration of the position is subject to funding availability. A fundraising program is in progress. Application For additional information about CNPS and a com- plete job description visit the East Bay Chapter website www.ebcnps.org and the CNPS website www.cnps.org. To apply, please send resume indicating required quali- fications and ability to meet job requirements and in- clude contact information for three references to: East Bay Chapter, CNPS, PO Box 5597, Elmwood Station, Berkeley, CA 94705 and e-mail to charlid@pacbell.net. Please include e-mail address for response. Interviews will be scheduled as applications are re- ceived and reviewed. The start date for the successful candidate will be as soon as possible. Charli Danielsen PLANT SALE ACTIVITIES As we welcome the change of seasons, the native plant nursery welcomes a change as our term with Merritt Col- lege draws to a close. We are pursuing options for a new nursery location and will continue to keep you informed about our progress. As you may have read in the October Bay Leaf, Shirley McPheeters has stepped down as plant sale chairman. We will miss her greatly. Her compassion, knowledge and dedication have made the plant sale an exceptional event for many years. I will continue in her place and hope that she, and our remarkable volunteers, will continue to grow native plants with CNPS in the future. As we anticipate a new location, new volunteers are always welcome. No experience is necessary, only an continued on page 4 THE BAY LEAF December 2005 3 continued from page 3 interest in growing and caring for native plants. We would also like to invite individuals to be a part of our plant sale committee. This committee will work to develop and operate our new nursery. If you are in- terested or would like more information, please call or email me directly at the number and address below. Additionally, we still have a small number of plants for interested buyers; Arctostaphylos sp., Rhamnus californica 'Eve Case’, Sisyrinchium californicum, Cory- lus cornuta var. californica, to name a few. If you are interested in purchasing plants please call 510-301-1138 or email Lhilllink@aol.com. Linda Hill NATIVE HERE Fridays, December 2, 9, 16, 23, Native Here open 9- noon Saturdays, December 3, 10, 17, 24, nursery open 10-1 Extended hours in November brought new customers to Native Here. Many noticed the colorful signs bor- rowed from the chapter plant sale. Some saw the ad in the Hills newspapers. We plan to follow our usual schedule in December, except for taking the last two days of the year off. All the other Fridays (nine to noon) and Saturdays (ten to one) the nursery is open and welcomes visits from plant shoppers, and volunteers. There is always plenty of work to go around. No need to phone first, just show up willing to work. If you haven’t volunteered with us before, it is good to come on a Friday the first time for training. Margot gets pretty swamped with customers on Saturdays, so it helps to already "know the ropes”. If it gets too wet or windy, we don’t stay. We are vol- unteers, not masochists! This month some of the spring blooming perenni- als will be breaking dormancy. If you are looking for Ranunculus, Delphinium, or Triteliaea, you may find them here in December. We also have books and cal- endars for sale. Ask for them, as in damp weather we don’t put them on display. Visitors are also welcome to browse our collection of restoration and horticulture literature. Most of our plants do well planted any time November through February. The nursery is located in Tilden Park, across from the Golf Course, at 101 Golf Course Drive. Telephone is 510-549-0211. Charli Danielsen Cordylanthus palmatus (palmate bird’s beak) is a rare and endangered species. The best of the few remaining populations of this plant is in the Springtown wet- lands near Livermore. Measure D, a proposal to revise Livermore’s Urban limit line, would have threatened the Springtown wetlands and its bird’s beak plants. Thanks to the efforts of many conservation groups, including the East Bay Chapter of CNPS, as well as other concerned citizens, the voters of Livermore re- jected Measure D. Cordylanthus palmatus (palmate bird’s beak). Photo by John Game 4 THE BAY LEAF December 2005 Board of Directors President 94704 94707 Elaine P. Jackson 510-841-4681 510-527-3912 3311 Estudillo Street, Martinez 94553 pepel 066@comcast.net deliataylor@mac.com 925-372-0687 Bay Leaf Mailing Plant Sale Elainejx@mindspring.com Holly Forbes Linda Hill 7128 Blake Street, El Cerrito 1002 Park Hlls Rd. Vice President 94530 Berkeley CA 94708 Laura Baker 510-234-2913 510-849-1624 79 Roble Road, Berkeley hforbes@berkeley.edu 94705 Programs 510-849-1409 Education Sue Rosenthal Lbake66@aol.com Joyce Hawley P.O. Box 20489, Oakland 631 Albemarle Street, El Cerrito 94620 Treasurer 94530 510-496-6016 Holly Forbes 510-524-5485 rosacalifornica@earthlink.net 7128 Blake Street, El Cerrito jwhawley@aol .com 94530 Publicity/Media hforbes@berkeley.edu Field Trips open h 510-234-2913 Janet Gawthrop w 510-643-8040 360 Monte Vista Avenue #214 Conservation FAX 51 0-642-5045 Oakland 94611 Conservation Committee 510-654-3066 Chair Recording Secretary Janetg24@excite.com Charli Danielsen Barbara Malloch Leitner 10 Kerr Ave. 2 Parkway Court, Orinda Gardens Kensington 94707 94563 Regional Parks Botanic Garden charlid@pacbell.net 925-253-8300 Liaison bleitner@pacbell.net Sue Rosenthal Conservation Analyst (Staff) PO Box 20489 Jessica Olson, Conservation Corresponding Secretary Oakland CA 94610 Analyst Heath Bartosh 510-496-6016 223 Kentucky #3, Petaluma 112 Gilbert Court, Martinez rosacalifornica@earthlink.net 94952 94553 510-734-0335 925-957-0069 Grants cell: 415-238-1143 hbartosh@nomadecology.com Sandy McCoy 1311 BayView Place, Berkeley jjolson@ebcnps.org Past President 94708 Stewardship Joe Willingham sandymccoy@mindspring.com Native Plant Restoration 2512 Etna Street, Berkeley Team 94704 Hospitality Greg Wolford 510-841-4681 Irene Wilkinson 2945 Otis Street, Berkeley pepel 066@comcast.net 440 Camino Sobrante, Orinda 94703 94563 510-848-6489 Education/Outreach Bay Leaf Editor and Web- 925-254-3675 californica@mac.com master Membership Native Here Nursery Joe Willingham Delia Taylor Project Manager 2512 Etna Street, Berkeley 1851 Catalina Avenue, Berkeley Charli Danielsen 101 Golf Course Drive, Berkeley 94708 510-549-0211 charlid@pacbell.net Sales Manager Margot Cunningham Plant Science Rare Plants John Game 1155 Spruce Street, Berkeley 94707 510-527-7855 jcgame@lbl.gov Unusual Plants Dianne Lake 1050 Bayview Farm Road #121, Pinole 94564 510-741-8066 diannelake@yahoo.com Vegetation Susan Bainbridge 2408 Parker Street, Berkeley 94704 510-548-2918 suebain@ssci.berkeley.edu California Native Plant Society East Bay Chapter PO Box 5597, Elmwood Station Berkeley CA 94705 Chapter web site www.ebcnps.org Recorded Chapter Information 510 - 464-4977 State CNPS web site www.cnps.org Membership Application Name Address Zip Telephone I wish to affiliate with: East Bay Chapter (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) Other Mail application and check to: California Native Plant Society, Membership category: Student, Retired, Limited income, $20 Individual, Library, $35 Household, Family, or Group, $45 Supporting, $75 Plant lover, $100 E-mail Patron, $250 (optional) Benefactor, $500 Mariposa Lily, $1000 ' K Street, Suite 1 , Sacramento CA 95816 THE BAY LEAF December 2005 5 THE WAYNE RODERICK LECTURES WINTER 2005 - 2006 at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive (South Park Drive is closed Nov.-March) in Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley 510-841-8732 bgarden@ebparks.org www.nativeplants.org Saturday Mornings 10:30 Free Notice: Seating is limited. To be sure of a seat, come early and save a chair. December 3 Serpentine soils and plant communities from Alaska to Baja— Earl Alexander 1 0 Botany of the northern Sierra from Lakes Basin to the Feather River country— Steve Edwards 1 7 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: a feast of flora and fauna— Larry Abers 2006 January 7 The botany of Pt. Reyes National Seashore— Steve Edwards 14 Joaquin Murietta country— Steve Edwards 21 California Classics— Dave Fross 28 The Oat Hill Mine Trail and Knoxville areas of Napa County— Dick O’Donnell February 4 Botany and geology of Death Valley, including the great spring of 2005— Steve Edwards and a foray into the Panamints— John Game 11 A botanist’s Greece— Bob Gibbons 1 8 The glorious western Mojave— Steve Edwards 25 The June Lake and Tioga Pass areas, plants of late summer— Bob Case California Native Plant Society East Bay Chapter P.O. Box 5597, Elmwood Station Berkeley CA 94705 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Oakland, CA Permit No. 2018 Time Value December 2005 issue