Calendar of Events February 1 , 8, 1 5, 22 and 29, TUESDAYS: ■ Propagation and planting sessions for October's sale of native plants (see p. 3). February 2, WEDNESDAY: ■ Board of Directors' meeting at the home of Irene Wilkinson, 440 Camino Sobrante, Orinda. 7:30 p.m. All members welcome. February 5, SATURDAY: ■ Native Plant Restoration Team meets at 1 p.m. for restoration work in Gwin Canyon (see back page). February 6, SUNDAY: ■ Deadline for March Bay Leaf. Give items to Phoebe Watts or Brett Boltz. February 23, W EDN ESDAY: ■ Membership meeting, 7:30 p.m. (see below). March 1 , WEDNESDAY: ■ Board of Directors' meeting at the home of Delia Taylor, 1851 Catalina Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. All members welcome. The Wayne Roderick Lectures Winter 1999-2000 The annual Wayne Roderick Lecture Series is being held at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive in Tilden Park, Berkeley (841-8732). The lectures are held on Saturday mornings as indicated, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon, and are free to the public. The Lecture Series runs through February 2000. February 5 Speaker Travels in Plumas County and Steve Edwards Lakes Basin February 12 Wildflower hunting in the Sierra Steve Edwards Foothills Membership Meeting Wednesday, February 23 ♦ 7:30 p.m. A California Floriferous Spring Speaker: Wilma Follette The State of California has a wealth of native plant diversity. Join native plant enthusiast Wilma Follette as she presents a tour through the amazingly varied and rich plant communities and regions of our State. Beginning as the spring progresses from the low desert northward and upward through the valleys and foothills to the subalpine high country, Wilma will present numerous beautiful slides of native plants taken by her husband. Bill. Wilma Follette is a third-generation, native-born Northern Californian who has spent 44 years in Marin. With lifelong interest in the outdoors, Wilma was one of the founders of the Marin Chapter of the CNPS in 1973. She continues to be involved with the Marin Chapter, and since 1979, she has enjoyed working with artists to produce the six different wildflower posters for the State organization of CNPS. Wilma has led weekly spring field trips in Marin for the past 24 years, identifying wildflow- ers, making plant lists, and monitoring rare and listed species for public agencies. In addition, she has taught community education classes in plant identification at the College of Marin. The meeting will take place in the Conference Center of the University of California Botanical Garden on Centen- nial Drive east of the Memorial Stadium above the main campus of the University of California in Berkeley. The Garden gate will open at 7 p.m.; the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served after the meet- ing and CNPS books and other publications will be on display and available for purchase. For more informa- tion, please call Jodi McGraw at 528-5090. March Membership Meeting: Barbara Ertter — 'Twenty Years after the Revolution" A botanical exploration of Iran. President’s Message Support California’s Flora Welcome to the New Millenium (or at least to a thou- sand years that start with the number "2")!! As your newly elected chapter president (MANY thanks to those of you who took the time to send in your ballots!), I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the new faces in the chapter Board of Directors. # Tony Morosco, the new administrative vice president (and thereby anointed president-to-be in two years), plays a key role for the Calflora Database (calflora.org) as botanist-programmer. Tony helped produce the Annotated Checklist of the East Bay Flora, several years ago, and will be working with me to produce an updated version during our joint tenure, including an on-line version. % Joanne Kerbavaz agreed to be nominated for Corre- sponding Secretary, too late to be listed on the official ballot but with more write-in votes than any other candidate (not counting "Vacant," that is!) Joanne has served as an officer on the state-level board of directors before, and is currently earning her paycheck as the Bay Area District ecologist for California State Parks. # Kathleen Dickey will now head the education committee, allowing our chapter to take advantage of her many years of experience in science and environmental education. Kathleen's primary botani- cal interest is seaweeds, noting that "Seaweeds, after all, could be called the oldest native plants!!" She has recently been working on a proposal to produce seaweed brochures and identification cards for several parks on California's central coast. # Jim Sharp joins the council as a member-at-large, with wide ranging plans for increasing CNPS visibil- ity and membership by developing more web-based floristic information resources. Unfortunately, we still have a serious need for a Field Trip coordinator, to fill a critical position that has been vacant too long. Be aware that the FTC does not need to lead field trips personally, but instead has the pleasure of tapping the tremendous pool of field trip expertise that already exists in the East Bay, and beyond. Alternatively (or in addition to), we are looking for someone to take over the challenge of membership coordinator, a posi- tion with the rewarding opportunity to meet enthusiastic new faces at a wide selection of events. If the thought appeals to you of arranging your dream line-up of field trips, or of bringing the CNPS message to budding botanists, please contact me or one of the directors. We hope to hear from you! . . . Barbara Ertter Vote Yes on Propositions 1 2 and 1 3 Prop 12, the Safe Neighborhood Parks bond, and Prop 13, the Safe Drinking Water bond, are on the March 7, 2000 ballot. These bond acts received strong bipartisan support in the Legislature, recogniz- ing the tremendous need California has for parks, open space, and recreation as well as clean water for its growing population and natural environment. These bonds will not raise taxes, and all funds will be appropriated through the state budget and subject to careful review and annual public audits. Prop 12 is a $2.1 billion bond act that includes much needed funding for state and local parks and other agencies and non- profits that protect open space and recreational resources. Funds will be available for land acquisition, habitat restoration, coastal protection, open space protection in fast growing suburbs, protection of remaining wildlife areas in some of our fastest growing counties, as well as playgrounds, zoos and soccer fields, urban conservation corps, and recreation for at-risk youth. Prop 13 is a $1.97 billion bond act that addresses water pollution issues and makes our water cleaner by funding watershed restoration, improving sewage treatment, and reducing "non-point source" pollution caused by street runoff in urban areas. Accord- ing to the Association of California Water Agencies, Prop 13 will improve California's water supply by one million acre-feet. Who Supports Prop 1 2 and 13? California League of Conservation Voters, Audubon, the League of Women Voters, the Nature Conservancy, and California Chamber of Commerce all support Prop 12 and Prop 13. In addition, the Sierra Club, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs and AARP endorse Prop 12, and the Association of California Water Agencies and Agricultural Council of California are backing Prop 13. Prop 12 and Prop 13 contain ENORMOUS opportunity for the future conservation of California's native flora and habitats. Local projects that we support and our own projects will be eligible for bond funds. What Can You Do to Help? Your help is needed to pass these important bond acts. Tell your family and friends about these bond acts and how important it is to vote in March 2000. You can also help by donating funds to the organizing campaign for Prop 12 and 13 (Californians for Safe Neighborhood Parks and Qean Water, 926 J St., Suite 612, Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 313-4538). Further information on Prop 12 and Prop 13, including summaries, votes of your legislators, fact sheets and visual aids, is available on Audubon-Califomia's website at http://www.audubon-ca.org/. Additional information on Prop 12 is at http://www.safeparks.org, and information on Prop 13 is at http://www.propl3.org. Register to vote by Feb 7 2 Plant Sale Activities Propagation and Potting this month: Tuesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 9 a.m. - noon Merritt College Landscape Horticulture Area 1999 Sale Cycle Coming To A Close On Saturday, January 29, 2000, the 1999 California Native Plant Sale at Merritt College Horticulture Area will complete its yearly cycle. Please see the January issue of the Bay Leaf or call the phone numbers below for further information. The Tuesday planting sessions will now be fully involved with potting the rooted cuttings from the green house and preparing more cuttings to take their place. This time of year presents an opportunity for any one interested in propagation to begin attending and follow- ing the developing plants' growth through to our sale in October. We work in the nursery area at Merritt rain or shine; dress for a possible wet/cold, dry /warm day (layers perhaps!). You will be pleasantly pleased as to how much fun you will have. Any questions as to why you should or should not give a hand, call us at (925) 376- 4095 or (925) 372-0687 . . . Shirley Me Pheeters 2000 Board of Directors Elected Officers: President Barbara Ertter h/ 5264592 w/ 643-0600 Vice-president (Administra ton) Tony M orosco h / 549-2238 w/ 642-8468 Treasurer: Holly Forbes 234-291 3 w/ 643-8040 Recording Secretary: Michele Lee (925) 686-6932 Corresponding Secretary: Jbanne Kerbavaz (41 5) 330-6323 Bay Leaf Editors: Phoebe Watts 525-661 4 fax/ 5244496 Brett Boltz h / 549-3327 w/ 643-0448 Advisors: Members-at-large: Jbhn Game 527-7855 Jm Sharp 644-9344 Jbe W illing ham 841 4681 Committee Coordinators: Bay leaf Mailing: Holly Forbes 234-291 3 Conservation: Tim Heelan 226-8294 Plant Communibes: Susan Bainbridge 548-291 8 Rare plants: Brad Olson 482-0794 (Unusual Hants): Dianne Lake 799-1769 Donations: David Bigham 8434247 Myrtle Wolf 843-8759 Educaton: Elly Bade 644-1656 Kathleen Dickey 525-6489 Field trips: Vacant position Growing Natives Group: Glenn Keator 527-9802 Hospitality: Irene W ilkinson (925) 254-3675 Iegislaton: Fby Buck 84841 69 roybuck@msn.com Membership: Delia Taylor 527-391 2 Native Here Nursery: Charli Danielsen 549-021 1 cwd@wli.net Native Ha ntResto ration Tkam: N oah Booker h / 339-1 588 w/ 840-9367 casartunda@aol.com Posters: Heather Koshinsky h / 528-8954 w/ 559-5977 Hant Sale: Shirley McPheeters (925) 3764095 Phoebe Watts 525-661 4 (Publicity): Elaine ^hekson (925) 372-0687 Programs: Jbdi McGraw 528-5090 j mmeg raw @socrates. berkeley. ed u EBRP Botanic Garden liaison: Jbnny Reming 848-3455 All area codes are 510 unless noted. Recorded Chapter Information: 464-4977 CN PS Home Page: http:/ / www.calpoly.edu/ -dchippin/ cnps_main.html Printed on Recycled Paper New Membership Application The California N ative Hant Society is open to all. The mission of the California N ative Hant Society is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to preserve them in their natural habitat through scientific activities, education, and conservation. Membership includes a subscription to the quarterly journal Fremontia. N ame Membership category: Student, Fteti red , Limited income, $20 Address Individual, Library, $35 Household, Family, or Group, $45 Zip Telephone Supporting, $75 Hant lover, $100 I wish to affiliate with: Ratron, $250 East Bay Chapter (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) Benefactor $500 other Life, $1000 Mail application and check to: Membership Chairman, California Native Hant Society, 1722 JSt., Suite 17, Sacramento, CA 95814. 3 Native Plant Restoration Team Activities of Others The Team met on January 8, 1999 in Canyon to work around the school and along San Leandro Creek, revisit- ing a site worked on by Charli Danielsen some years back. On February 5 we will return to lovely Gwin Canyon, in Oakland's Claremont Canyon, where we will continue our efforts against Chilean mayten (Maytenus boaria) and French broom. We can break in our newest Weed Wrench with the latter. Meet on Saturday, February 5, at 1 p.m. at the Native Here Nursery, 101 Golf Course Drive in Tilden Park, across from the Golf Course main entrance. Wear protec- tive clothing: sturdy shoes, pants and long sleeves, a rain coat just in case; bring water and snacks. Heavy rain cancels. Call 840-9367 on Saturday morning for a last minute update if the weather is threatening. . . . Noah Booker Sort Mail, Save Money For about a year, without fanfare or public announce- ments, members of our Chapter have been gathering monthly to label and sort the Bay Leaf. Since we used to pay a mailing company to do this work, it has saved the Chapter a lot of money. Holly Forbes instigated this activity, and she takes the addressed and sorted newslet- ters to the bulk mail facility in Oakland every month — thank you. Holly! The group meets on a variable date during the third or fourth week of the month, usually in the evening but sometimes on a weekend. The work never takes more than two hours, sometimes less, and a lot of friendly conversation takes place at the same time. If you would like to take part occasionally or monthly, give your phone number or email address to Holly Forbes. Spring activities held by the Aquatic Outreach Institute: Kids in Gardens-Contra Costa County. Saturdays, March 4 & 11, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Held at Buena Vista Elementary School in Walnut Creek and El Monte El- ementary School in Concord. For K-12 educators work- ing in Contra Costa County. Kids in Gardens-Alameda County. Saturdays, March 25 & April 1, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Held at Marylin Avenue Elementary School in Uvermore and the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley. For K-12 educators working in Alameda County. Both workshops include hands-on activities pertaining to low-maintenance gardens, propagating native plants, and more. $25 pre -registration required. Curriculum guide and resource materials provided. Academic credit possible. For more information or to register for either workshop, contact Sharyl McGrew at (510) 231-5783. Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden courses: Hidden World of Ferns and their Relatives. Fern life cycles and identification of native ferns and related groups, taught by Glenn Keator. Saturday, March 4 at the Garden; Sunday, March 5 field trip to Armstrong Red- woods in Sonoma County. $75 members /$90 nonmem- bers. Spring Foray in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A two-day field trip to sample the diverse ecosystems of this area, taught by Glenn Keator. Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21. $85 members /$100 nonmembers. For infor- mation or registration, call Ron Clendenen, (925) 631- 6614, or you may register on line at www.nativeplants.org. Botanical & Biological Illustrations by Oakland High School Students, on display in the restaurant of the Oakland Museum of California now through April 30. Call 1-888-0 AKMUSE for hours and admission. (Free second Sundays). 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 February 2000 Issue