September 2013 r *\ The Bay Leaf California Native Plant Society • East Bay Chapter Alameda & Contra Costa Counties www.ebcnps.org www.groups.google.com/group/ebcnps J MEMBERSHIP MEETING Flora of the Mono Lake Basin Speaker: Tom Schweich Wednesday, September 25, 7:30 pm Location: Auditorium, Orinda Public Library (directions below) Mono Lake, California, is a highly alkaline lake in a closed tectonic basin spanning from the Tioga Crest of California's Sierra Nevada to the Anchorite Hills of Mineral County, Nevada. This high-altitude basin, higher than Lake Tahoe, contains floral elements from the Great Basin, the Mojave Desert, the alpine and subalpine Sierra Nevada, and a few elements of the California Floristic Province. In his presentation, Tom Schweich will take us on a geographic and floristic tour of the lower elevations of the Mono Lake basin, below about 8,400 ft. He'll show the variety of plant habitats and a selection of interesting taxa found there while highlighting a few local taxonomic questions. Tom Schweich is a long-time volunteer and a Research Associ- ate of the University and Jepson Herbaria. Following retire- ment in 2007 from a career in information technology, Tom began updating Dean Taylor's 1981 checklist of the Mono Lake basin, updating the names while making over 400 plant col- lections to date and providing near real-time updates on the Internet. The current version of his checklist flora of the area can be found at: http: / / www.schweich.com/ mlf0.html . East Bay CNPS membership meetings are free of charge and open to everyone. This month's meeting takes place in the Auditorium of the Orinda Public Library at 24 Orinda Way (in Orinda Village). The Auditorium is on the second floor of the building, accessible by stairs or an elevator. The room opens at 7 pm; the meeting begins at 7:30 pm. Call 510-496-6016 or email rosacalifornica@earthlink.net if you have questions. Directions to Orinda Public Library at 24 Orinda Way: From the west, take Hwy 24 to the Orinda/ Moraga exit. At the end of the off ramp, turn left on Camino Pablo (toward Orinda Village), right on Santa Maria Way (the signal after the BART station and freeway entrance), and left on Orinda Way Tom Schweich at Upper Horse Meadow in the Mono Lake basin From the east, take Hwy 24 to the Orinda exit. Follow the ramp to Orinda Village. Turn right on Santa Maria way (the first signal) and left on Orinda Way. Once on Orinda Way, go 1 short block to the parking lot on the southeast side of the two-story building on your right. There is additional free parking beneath the building as well as on the street. From BART (4 blocks): Exit the Orinda station, turn right and cross a pedestrian bridge, then cross a second pedestrian bridge on the left. Go 1 short block on the sidewalk to the third pedestrian bridge. Go 2 blocks on Orinda Way to the Orinda Library CONSERVATION ANALYST APPEAL The 2014 Conservation Analyst Appeal Now Underway! We are entering our Chapter's ninth year of supporting a half- time professional Conservation Analyst! The funds needed, $40,000, are provided by Chapter members and supporters. We are asking for your generous contributions to this fund. For two years, our Conservation Analyst, Mack Casterman, has provided indispensable support to the all-volunteer Conservation Committee. Mack is involved at all levels in our efforts to conserve our most valuable local native plants and the ecosystems they support. These efforts require specific knowledge about the locale and the plants, along with site visits, contacts with professionals and local citizens, docu- ment reviews and comments. Sustained effort is necessary. Some conservation issues on the agenda last for years, others demand immediate actions. We need to have Mack on the team to be as successful as possible. Please contribute as generously as you can so we can keep Mack working with us. Mail a check made out to CNPS to California Native Plant Society, Box 5597, Elmwood Station, Berkeley CA 94705, or use PayPal at ebcnps.org. Thank you! Delia Taylor Funds Development Chair PLANT FAIR: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED BEFORE AND DURING Plans for the Plant Fair this year are well in progress. My thanks to all those who have volunteered to help this year. We still have two needs. We still have volunteer slots open for the Fair. Volunteers don't have to be knowledgeable about plants or familiar with the nursery. There are three time slots, 9:30 to 12:45 and 12:30 to 3:45 on Saturday and noon to 3:30 on Sunday. If you would like to help, send an email to stevetoby@comcast.net. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and enjoy a festive day. We also need, ahead of the Fair, people who can drop by dur- ing open hours (Tuesdays noon to 3 pm, Fridays 9 to noon and Saturdays 10 to 2) and help prepare the nursery. Again, it is not necessary for volunteers to have any expertise on the subject of the plants for sale. There are lots of tasks (raking for instance) that can be done by any willing person. No need to contact anyone ahead of time. We will be glad to see you. Steve Toby Photos from 2010 fair: CONSERVATION ANALYST REPORT Knowland Park Our work to gain permanent protection for Knowland Park (part of our Foothills of South Oakland BPPA) continues. In the past few months, we have been working with our coalition partners. Friends of Knowland Park, to set up and publicize a petition on change.org, requesting that the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) delay granting permits for the Oakland Zoo's proposed expansion project in Knowland Park. The petition has been a great tool for public outreach, and as of August 21, it has received over 1,700 signatures! Many thanks to all of you who signed. We have also created a new page for our coalition on Facebook and we have been using it successfully to reach new people with information about the wonderful resources in Knowland Park as well as the threats to those resources. In the coming weeks, we are planning to present our petition to USFWS representatives to show the outpouring of public support the park has received. If you have not already, please "like" the Knowland Park Facebook page at: https: / / www.facebook.com/ saveknowl- andpark for information about the park and updates on our work to protect it. In other Park related news, the Oakland Zoo announced the opening of its new Biodiversity Center on August 22nd. We are happy to see the Oakland Zoo helping to increase the at- tention paid to biodiversity in the State, but we see hypocrisy in this new zoo building. The zoo's new Biodiversity Center aims to educate the public and help protect wildlife like the 2 THE BAY LEAF September 2013 CONSERVATION ANALYST REPORT (CONTINUED) kingsnake and gopher snake, which were brought out on display for the opening ceremony, and which currently oc- cupy Knowland Park. Yet both species will lose habitat if the zoo continues with its plans to fence off and expand onto more than 50 acres of Knowland Park. In the press release the zoo put out about the opening, they mentioned that the center would focus on the interdependence among plants, animals, and people; however, nothing was mentioned about the critical importance of rare maritime chaparral and native grasslands and their relation to the habitat needs of the threat- ened Alameda whipsnake. Both plant communities and the whipsnake exist but a short distance away in Knowland Park. All of them will be impacted by the zoo's planned expansion, despite the fact that the East Bay Zoological Society is the official steward of the park and its resources. It is important to note that the zoo is using its current footprint to house the center, and that should be what they do with the California Trails project as well. We are continuing our effort to help them realize the potential of building within their existing footprint rather than expanding into areas of Knowland Park where California's biodiversity still exists in a wild state for both wildlife and visitors to enjoy. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at Richmond Field Station EBCNPS is continuing to follow the planning process for the University of California's and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's new campus at the Richmond Field Station. The Richmond Field station is part of our Richmond Shoreline BPPA due to a large remnant stand of coastal prairie grassland at the site. EBCNPS has met with planners and commented at public meetings in order to ensure that the value of this prairie is understood. On August 12, the community draft of the Long Range Development Plan for the project was released. Our conservation committee is currently review- ing the information presented in it in order to make further comments to the planners. Letter to Contra Costa County In August, EBCNPS wrote a letter to the Contra Costa County Department of Public Works requesting information about their native plant protection protocols for county projects. This letter was written in response to a recent revegetation project near Pt. Pinole. The project was in an area near coastal prairie grassland and may have accidentally impacted native grasslands during the project execution. Our letter requests more information about the project in question, and recom- mends that the County adopt native plant community pro- tection protocols to be used in future project specifications. Such protocols would help ensure that contractors know where sensitive native plant resources are located at a project site and how to properly avoid impacts during projects. We are looking forward to a response from the County and we view this as a good opportunity to start a dialogue about native plant protection that could have far reaching benefits throughout the County. Tesla Park Alternatives Letter On July 15th, EBCNPS submitted a comment letter to the State Parks Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR). Our comment letter was submitted in response to the alternatives that were presented by OHMVR for the future use of the Alameda/ Tesla Parcel also known as Tesla Park. Our letter addressed the need for adequate vegetation mapping before a general plan for this entire area that will determine future use of the land is created. We also express concern that none of the three Concept Alternatives pre- sented by OHMVR demonstrate optimization for protection of natural resources. We have asked State OHMVR to craft a new alternative that provides for optimal natural resource protection, especially in light of the diverse array of native habitat and rare plants known to be present on the site. EBC- NPS is continuing to work with its "Save Tesla Park" Coalition partners to ensure that the wonderful natural resources of our Corral Hollow Botanical Priority Protection Area (BPPA) remain protected. A copy of our letter is posted on the Conservation Blog Page and you can view it here: http://ebcnps.files.wordpress. com/2013/08/ 07_13_15-ebcnps-response-to-alternatives- final.pdf The Conservation Committee is always looking for new volunteers to get involved in our many projects. If you are interested in working with me on any of the projects that you have read about on our blog or in past Conservation Analyst Updates, please feel free to contact me by phone at (510) 734-0335 or by email at conservation@ebcnps.org. And as always, for more detailed updates on all of our conservation projects, please visit the Conservation Blog at: http: / / ebcnps. wordpress.com/ . Mack Casterman THE BAY LEAF September 2013 3 FIELD TRIPS Sunday, September 1, 10 am-2:30 pm. Redwood Park, with focus on sedges, ferns, and late fruiting plants. We will see about 5 species of sedge. Learn some basics of sedge ID and morphology. A copy of Field Guide to Intermountain Sedges, and the key from the 2012 J epson Manual will be available for reference. We will take Redwood Peak Trail, French Trail, Starflower Trail, Tres Sendas Trail, and Stream Trail. Directions: Get onto Skyline Drive in the hills above Oakland. Go to the Chabot Space Center, which is about a mile north of Joaquin Miller Road. Turn into the driveway for the Space Center and park either in the lot or in the parking garage, which are free. Ignore the signs saying no trespassing; they do not apply to Park or Chabot Space Center users. Leader is Gregg Weber. Call him at 510-223-3310 if you have any questions. Sunday, September 8, 10 am-2 pm, Briones Regional Park. We will walk through some meadows at the top of the park, where there are sometimes an abundance of fragrant tarplants. There are always meadowlarks and bluebirds. Directions: From west of the Bay hills, go east on 24 and exit at Pleasant Hill Road. Go north on Pleasant Hill Road 0.5 mile and then turn left onto Reliez Valley Road. Go 4-5 miles on Reliez Valley Road to its end at the junction with Alhambra Valley Road. Ignore the entrance signs on Reliez Valley Road and continue straight on Alhambra Valley Road to the first left turn, which is Briones Road. Go about 1.5 miles to the end of Briones Road and park on either side of the road. For the Pinole/ Martinez area, just proceed down Alhambra Valley Road and follow the directions to the end of Briones Road. Gregg Weber RESTORATION Saturday, September 7, 10:00 am, Pt. Isabel crew at Eastshore State Park also on Saturday, September 7, 9:00 am. Redwood Regional Park Pt. Isabel: We are located at the end of Rydin Road just off the 1-580 next to Hoffman Marsh. Contact e-mail: kyotousa@ sbcglobal.net, cell: 510-684-6484. Redwood Park: This month the restoration crew will meet at Pinehurst Gate on the east side of the park. If you are arriving from the west side of the Oakland hills, you should continue east past the park entrance on Redwood Road, and turn left (uphill) onto Pinehurst at the intersection of Redwood and Pinehurst. Park staff can provide loaner gloves and tools. If you have questions or special requests, send an e-mail to drosario@ebparks.org. Saturday, September 14 at 9:30 am. Huckleberry Regional Park Meet at the parking lot off of Skyline in Oakland, where we will decide on the location and species to attack based on the day's weather and soil conditions. Park staff can provide you with loaner gloves or tools. If you have questions, e-mail janetgawthrop47@gmail.com or jmanley@ebparks.org. Sunday, September 15, 9:00 am, Sibley Regional Park Meet at the Oakland-side parking lot off of Skyline. You can also start from the Old Tunnel Road staging area on the Orinda side of the park, but be sure to let us know in advance so we can look for you at the wall of broom. As we push back the French broom monoculture, we start further uphill and away from the Sibley-to-Tilden trail, so you can't count on us seeing you right away. If you have questions or special tool requests, please e-mail janetgawthrop47@gmail.com or jmanley@ebparks.org. Native morning glory and California poppy at Pt. Isabel, photos by Jane Kelly. 4 THE BAY LEAF September 2013 POINT ISABEL IN AUGUST 2013 For the first time in the project's history, it was impossible to find a single radish, mustard, fennel, or piece of oat grass on the initial project area! The fourteen volunteers who came to the work party on August 3rd turned their attention to other tasks. Gudrun and Penny removed a small patch of kikuyu grass upslope, while John dug out bindweed growing close to the marsh. We cleaned up large piles of weeds removed at previous work parties and irrigated the new plantings. Vol- unteers dug out invasive pea at the southern end of the site while others headed down the trail beyond our active work area to remove an infestation of valerian. While digging out the last of the valerian, Tyson spotted a significant swath of ice plant creeping into the marsh and choking the marsh jaumea (j aumea camosa), alkali heath ( Frankenia salina), California sea lavender (Limonium calif omicum) , and pickle weed (Salicornia virginica}. The work party was officially over but a small crew rallied and pulled it completely out of the marsh with Calvin dragging it to the side of the trail for later pickup. The coastal gumweed ( Grindelia stricta) and the Limonium calif omicum. are in full bloom this month as are the Calystegia occidentalis (Western morning glory) that Pt. Isabel stewards planted close to some older, bare coyote bushes. The Calystegia is winding around the bare branches and providing food for the tiny insects we always see on the flowers and a glimpse of beauty for those who pass by. CNPS member Janet Gaw- throp suggested that we plant a native vine around the long dead ironwood (on which the birds love to perch) to protect it from being cut down. It's a great idea and we'll "protect" that tree with Calystegia during this winter's planting. Even the newly planted bunch grasses are full of seed and we detect an increase in birds that arrive to harvest the bounty. This year we had the first flowers on one of the numerous California buckeye (Aesculus californica) saplings we planted from seed harvested on site. We had the first berries on our young blue elderberry ( Sambucus mexicana). The toyon ( Heteromeles arbutifolia) are covered in berries that will ripen later this year and provide food for the birds. The praying mantis are out in force and not shy about hitching a ride on our clothing and being gently deposited on an attractive shrub. The project appears to have completely transitioned now from questions about why we would pull out the flowering French bloom and radish to many greetings of thanks from cyclists and hikers who pass by. A milestone. And it's due to the hundreds of amazing volunteers who have come out to help as well as to the EBRPD staff who enthusiastically support the project. Jane and Tom Kelly Photo of August crew by Jane Kelly CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY EAST BAY CHAPTER NATIVE PLANT FAIR 2013 Sat. October 12 th 10-3 Sale of Local Native Plants and Crafts Sun. October 13 th Noon-3 Bird Songs in the Native Garden Talk by Theo fitanides. Sun. Noon-1 Plants & craft items for sale 1-3 Native Mere Nursery 101 Golf Course Or., Tilden Park, Berkeley Across the street from Tilden Park Golf Course www.ebcnps.org 6 THE BAY LEAF September 2013 BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES FALL PROGRAMS Once again, the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is sponsoring a series of fall events. Visit the website for full details; here is a brief summary: Select Tours are limited to groups of thirty, and they will fill fast. Register now to reserve your space. (But make good choices; there will be no refunds or exchanges.) On Sunday, October 20, 2013 from 10:00 - 4:00 a free Native Plant Sale Extravaganza is taking place. Shop at five different locations for those hard-to-find natives at the right time of year to plant them. (Natives will be sold in Alameda, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland, and Richmond.) In addition to the Extravaganza, four Select Tours are be- ing offered for $30 per person throughout September and October. Are you interested in seeing beautiful native gardens that will provide color throughout the year? If the answer is "yes!" accompany Pete Veilleux to learn how he selects plants and designs gardens that do just that, then take this opportunity to shop for native plants at East Bay Wilds, which is not nor- mally open to the public. (Because this tour was so popular last year, it is being offered twice this year.) Those who would like to learn how to sheet-mulch their lawns away and install native gardens in their place shouldn't miss the "Mow no Mo!" workshop in Livermore. By the end of this workshop you'll be completely comfortable with the thought of tackling your own turf the low-cost way. Finally, renowned environmental educator Judy Adler will be leading an in-depth tour of her half-acre Walnut Creek garden, complete with happy chickens, a rainwater harvesting system (11,000 gallons are stored on-site), a pond, and many California native and/ or pollinator friendly plants. California milkweed (Asclepias californica) Two free native plant workshops are being offered to Mar- tinez, Concord, Rodeo, Crockett, Pleasanton, and Livermore residents. The goals of these workshops are to provide inspi- ration, motivation, resources and advice to residents of those cities who would like to install native plant gardens, but could use some guidance. Finally, plans are in the works for the main event; do you have a garden to offer for the Sunday, May 4, 2014 Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour? (Gardens must be located in Alameda or Contra Costa counties, contain 60% or more na- tive plants, be free of synthetic pesticides, and conserve water. A list of the native plants in your garden is required when the application is submitted.) If this describes your garden, please fill out the application, and mail it and your native plant list: garden visits will end next month. I hope you enjoy these fall events! Warmly, Kathy Kramer Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Coordinator (510) 236-9558 kathy@kathykramerconsulting.net www.bringingbackthenatives.net Mt. Diablo sunflower ( Helianthella castanea ) Photos by Janice Bray from the DVD East Bay Native Plants 2012-2013, by Janice Bray, Charli Danielsen and the volunteers at EBCNPS and Native Here Nursery Available at Native Here Nursery THE BAY LEAF September 2013 7 NATIVE HERE NURSERY Many wonderful gallon sized plants are ready for the Plant Fair, coming up October 12-13. The list of species and locations will be posted on the web site soon. As the Fair approaches, some special plants will be added which are not currently available, but the bulk of the stock is available now. Remember that no percentage discounts are offered during the Plant Fair, but are hon- ored for volume sales or to professional landscapers, civic groups, etc. during regular nursery operating times Tuesday afternoons, Friday mornings and mid-day on Saturdays. Come in to shop for plants and reference resources year round. Native Here will soon be announcing the new Nursery Manager who will replace me when I // retire ,/ at the end of the year. Watch for the announcement on the nursery website www.nativeherenursery.org. The new manager will continue to rely on lots of volunteer effort to keep the nursery well stocked and looking good. E- mail nativehere@ebcnps.org or drop by to explore pos- sible roles you could have in supporting the chapter's nursery. Volunteers are always welcomed to help with nursery tasks. Charli Danielsen Present this coupon anytime during September, 2013 at Native Here Nursery to receive a 4" pot of seeding annuals for no cost. ACTIVITIES OF OTHERS Living in earth-honoring ways calls for an integrated ap- proach to ecology, human culture, and relationship with the Sacred. If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you (like eight million others) live between the waters of the Estuary and a ring of mountains: Mount Tamalpais and Mount Saint Helena in the North, Mount Diablo in the East, Mount Hamilton and Mount Umunhum in the South Bay, and San Bruno Mountain just south of San Francisco. How can relating in conscious ways with these mountains increase your sense of home and place and also nourish your human relationships and inner life? On Saurday, Oct 26th (Day One) over 15 distinguished presenters will guide our approach to the mountains from five disciplines: • Natural science (including local geology, flora, and fauna) • Bay Area human culture past and present • Storytelling and creative expression • Public policy and advocacy (including protection of local sacred sites) • Spiritual practice focused on relating with mountains. On Day Two youTl have the opportunity to participate in smaller breakout rituals and other guided teachings on several of the local mountains. Day one will take place at the First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center in San Francisco. Conference registration is available here: http: / / sacredmountains.brownpapertickets. com/ (early registration discount of $65 before Sept 22nd, and $75 after). Earth Medicine Alliance P.O. Box 1462 Mountain View, CA 94042 info@earthmedicine.org (650) 248-8917 Stacey J. Weinberger University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley Fall Plant Sale, Sunday September 29 th Members: 9 -10:30 am Public Sale: 10:30 am - 2 pm Regionally appropriate plants from around the world, including a huge selection of California natives. Sale details at botanicalgarden. berkeley.edu 8 THE BAY LEAF September 2013 DIRECTORY Officers President Lesley Hunt lldhunt@astound.net Vice President and Chapter Council Delegate Bill Hunt wjhunt@astound.net Recording Secretary Sue Duckies spduckle@uci.edu Corresponding Secretary Robert Sorenson rls@sorensonvision.com Treasurer David Margolies 510-654-0283 dm@franz.com Committees Bayleaf Newsletter Bay Leaf Editor and Webmaster, Chair Joe Willingham 510-705-1798 pepel 066@comcast.net Bay Leaf Assistant Editor David Margolies 510-654-0283 dm@franz.com Bay Leaf Mailing Holly Forbes hforbes@berkeley.edu h 510-234-2913 w 510-643-8040 Conservation Jean Robertson, Chair gaiajean@yahoo.com Conservation Analyst Mack Casterman conservation@ebcnps.org 510-734-0335 Funds Development Delia Taylor, Chair deliataylor@mac.com Field Trips Janet Gawthrop, Chair janetgawthrop47@gmail.com Hospitality vacant Information Infrastructure Peter Rauch, Chair peterar@berkeley.edu Membership Emma Jack 408-391-2454 emma.jack@gmail.com Volunteer coordinator Delia Taylor volunteer@ebcnps.org Programs Sue Rosenthal rosacalifornica2@earthlink.net 510-496-6016 Publicity vacant Rare Plants Heath Bartosh, Chair 925-957-0069 hbartosh@nomadecology.com Bryophytes John Game, Chair 510-527-7855 jcgame@stanford.edu Unusual Plants Dianne Lake, Chair 510-691-1428 diannelake@yahoo.com Vegetation Megan Keever, Co-Chair megan@stillwatersci.com Nicole Jurjavcic, Co-Chair nicole@stillwatersci.com EBCNPS Sponsored Ac- tivities East Bay Chapter News list Emailed announcements of upcoming EBCNPS events List manager-Martha Booz mlbooz@calnatives.com Native Here Nursery 510-549-0211 Manager — Charli Danielsen nativehere@ebcnps.org Sales — Margot Cunningham bunchgrassmarg@gmail.com Plant Fair Steve Toby Chair 510-236-1063 stevetoby@comcast. net Restoration Huckleberry Regional Preserve Janet Gawthrop, leader janetgawthrop47@gmail.com Point Isabel Tom and Jane Kelly, leaders 510-704-8628 (w) 510-684-6484 (c) kyotousa@sbcg lobal . net Marsh Creek Heath Bartosh, leader 925-957-0069 hbartosh@nomadecology.com John Muir NHS (Martinez) Elaine Jackson, leader 925-372-0687 elainejx@att.net Walnut Creek Lesley Hunt, leader 925-937-6791 ldhunt@astound.net Membership Application and Renewal Form Name Address Zip Telephone Email I wish to affiliate with: East Bay Chapter (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) Other Membership category: Individual, $45 Family, Library, Group or International, $75 Plant lover, $100 Patron, $300 Benefactor, $600 Mariposa Lily, $1500 Limited Income or student, $25.00 Other Mail application and check to: California Native Plant Society, 2707 K Street, Suite 1, Sacramento CA 95816 THE BAY LEAF September 2013 9