June 2002 The h I Bay Leaf California Native Plant Society • East Bay Chapter • Alameda & Contra Costa Counties Calendar of Events Chapter Plant Sale activities, page 2 Tuesdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25. Native Plant Restoration Team, page 2 Saturdays, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7. Native Here, page 3 Tuesdays, collect seed for propagation, leave Native Here at 9 a.m. Fridays, Native Here Nursery open 9 -noon. Saturdays, Native Here Nursery open 10-1. Membership Meetings To all our new members (and those long-term mem- bers confused about changes in the membership program schedule and location), here’s a little sum- mary of how the East Bay Chapter CNPS membership meetings work. Membership meetings are free of charge and open to both members and non-members. We schedule meetings for the fourth Wednesday evening of the month in January-May and Septem- ber-November, with a slight adjustment in the schedule to avoid Thanksgiving week. The meetings take place in Alameda County some months and Contra Costa County other months (each announce- ment in the Bay Leaf or on the chapter web site gives complete information about the location of the meet- ing). Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. with very brief chapter announcements. The main event is an hour- long presentation (usually a slide show) on a subject broad enough to be of interest to many CNPS mem- bers. Following the presentation, members are invited to stay and enjoy refreshments and conversa- tion and purchase CNPS books and other publica- tions. 1 always welcome suggestions from members for future presentation topics or speakers (some of our best programs have come from members’ sugges- tions), so please feel free to contact me with your ideas (rosacalifornica@earthlink.net or 510-496- 6016). 1 look forward to seeing you at future meet- ings. Sue Rosenthal Board of Directors Meeting, Wednesday, June 5, 7:30 p.m., home of Steve Asztalos, 839 York Street, Oakland. Field Trips, page 2 Sunday, June 16, field trip to remnant East Shore habitats. Saturday, August 17 at 9 a.m. field trip to California Department of Fish and Game wetlands. Learn to Grow Local Native Plants, page 6 July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Native Here Nursery. Conservation Committee Recent outreach efforts to bulk up the size of the conservation committee have met with some success. We are pleased to announce the addition of several new members to our committee. Over the course of the next several months we hope to have them fully integrated into our activities. As always, the rate at which land is threatened by development in the East Bay and neighboring counties easily outstrips that pace at which we can stay adequately informed. In other words, we could use additional help in preserv- ing the Bay Area’s beautiful native flora. Simply email the conservation committee at CNPS-EB- CONSCOMM@USOBl.ORG to express your interest. Among the more urgent current issues is the Bast Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan, which will affect nearly 200,000 acres of land. The website for the governing association can be found at http : / / WWW. cocohcp . org/meetings . html. Other pressing concerns include the proposed Franklin Canyon development in Hercules, creation and appropriate use of the Bastshore State Park, and the Fremont Hills initiative. For a more complete list of conservation issues visit http://www.ebcnps.org/ConservationCommittee.htm In the future 1 will use this space to inform you as to the progress of these and other conservation issues. Steve Asztalos Field Trips Plant Sale Activities Sunday, June 16, field trip to remnant East Shore habitats. Join field trip leader Barbara Ertter for a visit to a selection of critically rare habitats in and adjacent to the new East Shore State Park. The extensive coastal prairie that once dominated the flatlands opposite the Golden Gate (the Other Coast or “Contra Costa”) prior to European settlement has nearly vanished, but a tiny remnant still exists at the Richmond Field Station. Sandy beaches that once harbored Abronia, eliminated decades ago in the East Bay, are developing anew where time and tide allow, as at Radio Beach. The field trip will visit at least three different sites showing different habitat types, where we can discuss what used to occur, what is left, and what restoration potential might exist. Meet at 10:00 am at the El Cerrito Plaza BART sta- tion, at the southwest comer of the parking lot (towards Albany Hill) . From here we will carpool to the various sites, returning mid -afternoon. To reach El Cerrito BART from the south, take 1-80 to the Albany exit. Follow the road (Buchanan Street) inland up to the intersection with San Pablo Avenue. Turn left at the traffic light, and follow San Pablo Avenue north past the reconstmcted El Cerrito Plaza shop- ping center. At the end of the block with the shop- ping center and parking lot, turn right at the traffic light. The BART station and tracks should be visible after you turn right. On Saturday, August 17, at 9 a.m., Laura Hanson will lead a half day field trip to wetlands managed by the California Department of Fish and Game to see Cordylanthus in bloom; participants may also see Triglochin (arrow grass), late-blooming Avild roses, Salicornia (pickleweed), Distichlis (salt grass), and Scirpus (tule) species. Long pants and rubber boots are optimal attire for passage through a few wet, muddy areas with heavy groAvth. Bring water, insect repellent, and lunch, if desired. Directions: Take the Marina Vista exit from 680, which is the last exit before the bridge over the strait. Go to the right from the exit ramp, away from Martinez, along Waterfront Road. Continue 1 mile past the McNabny Marsh area to the guard gate for the Ultramar Refineiy. Let the guard know that you are going to the fishing access area, not the refineiy. After passing the gate, go straight to the gravel parking lot. Meet Laura at 9:00 in the parking area. Participants may wish to bring along any anglers in their lives. Janet Gawthrop Potting Sessions Tuesdays June 4, 11, 18, 25 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Merritt College, Oakland Landscape Horticulture Area Rain does not cancel. Bring two quar- ters for parking We are potting plants we have grown, and watering and weeding all the plants. Everyone is welcome. Handling the plants as you care for them is an excel- lent way to become familiar Avith their characteristics and to memorize their names. Bring a bag lunch for the noon break. For more information call 925-376- 4095. Plant Sale dates are October 5 and 6. Plant Sale Committee Native Plant Restoration Team It is Avith regret that 1 have submitted my resignation as chair of our team. The birth of my son necessi- tates this change. It has been a fantastic 3.5 years; 1 learned a great deal and was honored to work Avith a dedicated, talented core of volunteers. 1 encourage anyone who has not gotten involved Avith our chapter to do so; it is a wonderful organization. We are lucky to have a talented new chair, Sarah Ginskey. Sarah is an environmental artist and a member of the East Bay Public Lands Committee of the Sierra Club. Come on out and meet her! We are sharing the May and June work parties to ensure a smooth transition. Hope to see you there. Saturday, June 1: Skyline Serpentine Prairie, one of the richest grasslands left in our area. Our annual work party to reduce yellow star thistle, which is yielding excellent results. Care to learn our local grasses? This is the place. Meet at the old EBRPD headquarters bldg., off Joaquin Miller Readjust south of Skyline (Joaquin Miller Exit off Highway 13, go east up the hill past Skyline, hang a left into parking lot). Meet at 10 a.m., bring water, hat, sturdy shoes. We have tools and gloves to share. Saturday, July 6; Mitchell Canyon, Mt. Diablo. Our annual day in this lovely grassland, to reduce yellow star thistle and encourage the native grasses, as part of Charli Danielsen’s long term project at the site. Meet at 10 a.m., in the field on your left just before the Mitchell Canyon entrance to Mt. Diablo. 2 continued on page 3 Native Plant Restoration Team continued from p. 2 Saturday, August 3: Berkeley Waterfront yellow star thistle bash with Susan Schwartz, 10 a.m. Saturday, September 7 : Lower Strawberry Creek with the Friends of Strawberry Creek and Michele Lee, 10 a.m. Noah Booker Native Here Nursery The nursery is open every Friday 9 -noon and every Saturday from 10- 1 . Sorry that was not clear in last month’s Bay Leaf. Volunteers are needed to help on those days at those times. Please come by and join in the fun. Customers are also welcome although summer is not the optimum time to plant unless you are willing to water continuously (sort of defeats the purpose of planting local natives, but sometimes we all get impatient). Tuesday morning seed collection trips start from the nursery gate (101 Golf Course Drive, Tilden Park) at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through the summer. The nursery will not be open on Tuesdays. Wear sturdy shoes and protection from sun and brambles. Bring water. Charli Danielsen Job Opening at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden The Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park (Berkeley) will have an opening for an Interpretive Student Aide beginning early June. This is a tempo- rary position involving 999 hours of work per year. Days are flexible but must include Saturdays in the winter months. The work includes leading tours of the garden, helping out with the docent program, performing light horticultural tasks, and other as- signments. This is a great opportunity to learn about native plants. For further information, contact Steve Edwards or Joe Dahl at 510-841-8732. Annual East Bay Chapter Picnic Saturday, August 17, 2002, 3-6 p.m. at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park, Berkeley Friends, food and drink, garden tours, plant raffle, and more... Mark your calendar! Meadow foam (Lirnnanthes douglasii) Photo by John Game 3 Activities of Others Summer Courses at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Dragonflies of the Bay Area Kathy Briggs, Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. $25 members/$30 non-members. Minimum 8 participants. Introduction to Pond Ecology and Life Ray Petersen and Tom Bradner. Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Visitor Center. $25 members/ $30 non-members. Minimum 15 participants. To register, make check payable to Regional Parks Foundation and send to Ron Clendenen at 18 Lost Valley Drive, Orinda CA 94563. Joint Meeting of the CALPAC Section - Society for Range Management and the California Native Grass Association “Restoring and Managing Central Valley Native Grasslands” June 7-8, 2002; Mission de Oro Convention Center at the Ramada Inn, Santa Nella, CA There is a choice of two field trips on Saturday: The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, or The San Felipe Ranch, featuring native riparian and native grass /shrub /tree restoration. Early registration: $80 Contact: California Native Grass Association, 866- 456-CNGA, www.cnga.org, admin® cnga . org September 27-28, 2002 Gardening Under Mediterranean Skies 111 A Pacific Horticulture Symposium at Strybing Arbore- tum, San Francisco Call 415-661-1316 ext.325 for more information/ credit card registration or www.strybing.org Fees Before 9/1 for Subscribers /Members $165. Others $195 (includes lunch) Contact Joanne Taylor, Planning Committee, Mediter- ranean Symposium at 707-874-1008 or j at@bigplanet . com Berkeley High School is seeking volunteers to “Adopt- a-Plot”. This program matches volunteers with small areas of the high school campus. Plot “owners” maintain their plots by planting, weeding, pruning, watering, sweeping and picking up trash on a monthly basis. There is great interest in having native plants for the high school students to enjoy. Contact Cynthia Papermaster, at cpapermaster@gibsondunn.com or 510-849-2683. Mount Diablo faiiy lantern, Calochortus pulchellus, is unique to the East Bay and is found on brushy slopes on Mount Diablo and a few surrounding places including Black Dia- mond Mines, Briones and Las Trampas Parks. Photo by John Game 4 Board of Directors Elected Officers ■ Committee Coordinators President: Tony Morosco, 2329 7^ St., Berkeley 94710, 549-2238, w/528-5426, tony-morosco@calflora.org Vice President, Administration: Elaine Jackson, 3311 Estudillo St., Martinez 94553, 925-372-0687, elainejx@mindspring.com Treasurer: Holly Forbes, 7128 Blake St., El Cerrito 94530, 234-2913, w/643-8040 Secretaries: Recording: Michele Lee, 2923 Sheldon Dr., Richmond 94803, 243-1265 Corresponding: Joanne Kerbavaz, 1709 Berkeley Way, Apt. B, Berkeley 94703, JKERB@parks.ca.gov Past President Barbara Ertter, 1859 Catalina Ave., Berkeley 94707, h/526-4592, w/ 643-0600 Advisors Members at iarge: John Game, 1155 Spruce St., Berkeley 94707, 527-7855 Jim Sharp, 2663 LeConte Ave., Berkeley 94709, 644-344,itsa@dnai.com Bay Leaf Editor Joe Willingham, 2512 Etna St., Berkeley 94704, 841-4681, pepe@dnai.com Committee Coordinators Bay Leaf Mailing: Holly Forbes, 7128 Blake St., El Cerrito 94530, 234-2913, w/643-8040, hforbes@uclink4.berkeley.edu Bryophytes: Dan Norris, 802 Lexington Ave., El Cerrito 94530, 435-2004, dhnorris@uclink.berkeley.edu Conservation: Steve Asztalos, 839 York St., Oakland 94610, asztalos1@llnl.gov Donations: Sandy McCoy, 1311 Bay View Place, Berkeley 94708, wbmccoy@earthlink.net East Bay Public Lands: Peter Rauch, 526-8155, peterr@socrates.berkeley.edu Education: Elly Bade, 2699 Shasta Rd., Berkeley 94708, 644-1656 All area codes are 510 unless noted Field Trips: Janet Gawthrop, 360 Monte Vista Ave. #214, Oakland 94610, 654 3066, Janetg24@excite.com Hospitality: Irene Wilkinson, 440 Camino Sobrante, Orinda 94563, 925-254-3675 Media: Elizabeth Bade, 2151 Carrol Rd., Walnut Creek 94596, 925-531-7896 Membership: Delia Taylor, 1851 Catalina Ave., Berkeley 94707, 527-3912, deliataylor@mac.com Native Here Nursery: Charli Danielsen, 101 Golf Course Dr., Berkeley 94708, 549-0211, charlid@pacbell.net Native Plant Restoration Team: Sarah Ginskey, 1096 Miller Avenue, Berkeley 94708, 510-558-8139, sawginskey@sbcglobal.net Plant Communities: Susan Bainbridge, 2408 Parker St., Berkeley 94704, 548-2918 Plant Sale: Shirley McPheeters, 104 Ivy Dr., Orinda 94563, 925-376-4095 Phoebe Watts, 1419 Grant St., Berkeley 94703, 525-6614, phoebewatts@cs.com Plant Sale Publicity: Elaine Jackson, 3311 Estudillo St., Martinez 94553, 925-372-0687 Posters: Heather Koshinsky, 2033 Carquinez Ave., El Cerrito 94530, w/522- 8180, hak@dnai.com Programs: Sue Rosenthal, P.O. Box 20489, Oakland 94620, 496-6016, rosacalifornica@earthlink.net Rare Plants: Brad Olson, 4442 Arcadia Ave., Oakland 94602, 482-0794 Regional Parks Botanic Garden Liaison: Sue Rosenthal, P.O. Box 20489, Oakland 94620, 496-6016, rosacalifornica@earthlink.net Unusual Plants: Dianne Lake, 1050 Bayview Farm Rd. #121, Pinole 94564, 741-8066, diannelake@yahoo.com Recorded Chapter Information: 464-4977 CNPS Home Page: http://www.cnps.org East Bay Chapter CNPS Home Page: http://www.ebcnps.org Bay Leaf & Board meeting minutes online Chapter CNPS-EB-Alerts E-mail List: Find out more; email to listserv@usobi.org with: INFO CNPS-EB Alerts Membership Application Name Address I wish to affiliate with: East Bay Chapter (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) Other Membership category: Student, Retired, Limited income, $20 Individual, Library, $35 E-mail Household, Family, or Group, $45 (optional] Supporting, $75 Plant lover, $100 Benefactor, $500 Life, $1000 Mail application and check to: California Native Plant Society, 1722 J Street, Suite 17, Sacramento CA 95814 5 NATIVE HERE NURSERY project of East Bay Chapter California Native Plant Society 101 Golf Course Dr., Berkeley, CA 94708 510/549-0211 in Tilden Park across from Golf Course A public facility operated for the East Bay Regional Park District HOW TO GROW LOCAL NATIVE PLANTS JULY 21 10AM -2 PM $25 all ages welcome A hands-on native plant propagation class If you would like to learn how to propagate local native plants from seed, cuttings, and division, then this workshop is for you. You’ll learn about collecting ripe seed, seed treatments, sowing, pricking out, and which seasons are best for these tasks. We will also touch on the relevance of local native plant propagation for restoring local bio- diversity. This class will be co-taught by three native plant experts and will be held outdoors in the beautiful setting of Native Here Nursery. The format will be a combination of lecture, field tour, and hands-on propagation, and will include a 1/2 hour lunch break. (Bring a bag lunch.) Pre-registration required! Teachers: Lyn Talkovsky, landscape gardener specializing in native plants Charli Danielsen, director of Native Here Nursery, director-at-large of CNPS, and native plant consultant Margot Cunningham, sales manager of Native Here Nursery To register, and for more information, call Lyn at 510-231-5912 or e-mail Charli at charlid@pacbell.net. California Native Riant Society East Bay Chapter P.O. Box 5597, Eimwood Station Berkeiey CA 94705 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Oakland, CA Permit No. 2018 Time Value June 2002 issue