DECEMBER 2014 Pipevine Newsletter of the Mount Lassen Chapter CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY General Meeting DECEMBER 3, 2014 Wednesday 7:30 pm Butte County Library After the Spring Show: Summer Plant Life in VERNAL POOL Landscapes F ew people visit vernal pool landscapes in the Sacramento Valley to view plants after the spec- tacular wildflower shows that often occur in the spring are finished. This talk illustrates some of the plants that can be seen in northern California grasslands and vernal pools during the dry months of June through Sep- tember. Focus will be on the assemblages of plants found in basins of larger vernal pools in the summer - plants ranging from 1) endangered species restricted to these dried pool habitats to 2) widespread wetland species to 3) non-native species that are invasive in large vernal pools. Counts and observations beginning 30 years ago show that several summer species vary a great deal through the years in the same pools. Insects and other small animals that interact with the summer plant life will also be illustrated. Presented by ROB SCHLISING, Ph.D. Professor of Biology California State University, Chico Rob Schlising is well into retirement from teaching field biology, general ecology and plant ecology at Chico State University. He now volunteers time for several local botanical and environmental groups. He also continues a few several-year field projects, and publishes articles on both geophytic and vernal pool plants. With co-editors, he is presently working on the fourth book about vernal pool phenomena, based on articles by speakers at vernal pool conferences in Chico (1989 through 2014). His newest interest is planting to attract native bees to his small garden in Chico. He has tallied nearly 40 species of bees in three years, and shares his information with the University of California urban bee garden project. Hoover’s spurge, Euphorbia hooveri ( =Chamaesyce hooveri ), is a rare annual occurring in large dried vernal pool basins. At maturity, the fruit stalk stands up and the fruit explodes - sending the 1-3 seeds if different directions. MDHnrma bruaix Wes Dempsey and Gerry Ingco Co-chairs MIDDLE BIDWELL PARK CHICO December 7 Sunday Meet at the middle park trailhead where Centennial Ave and Chico Canyon Road join at their east ends, at 1 0 am. Bring water, lunch and wear cool weather gear. We will walk for about a mile along the south side of Chico Creek crossing the footbridge at he golf course and continuing along the north side of the creek to the start of the Yahi trail. Our objective will to be to search for mushrooms to identify along this primarily wooded walk. Rain cancels. Leaders: Gerry Ingco, 530-893-5123, Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293 HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAIDU ROCK SHELTER BIDWELL PARK, CHICO January 1 Thursday Meet at 10 am with lunch and drink at the Horseshoe Lake (parking lot E) trailhead to upper Bidwelll Park. Wear cool weather gear. Start the New Year with this tra- ditional scramble up the north ridge of upper park and then down to a cave with 25 bedrock mortars and a small waterfall over the entrance (if the weather permits). About a 3.5 mile hike. Rain cancels. Leaders: Gerry Ingco 530- 893-5123 and Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293 THE NEXT Executive Board Meeting will be on January 21, 2015 General Meeting will be on February 4, 2015 and the Pipevine will be the February issue HAPPY HOLIDAYS MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER 2015 Elected Officers The following names have been elected for Mount Lassen Chapter 2015 Executive Board Officers The election was held at the General Meeting on November 5, 2014 President CATIE BISHOP Vice President JANNA LATHROP Secretary ANN ELLIOTT Treasurer JOHN MEEHAN Members-at-Large RON COLEY PAUL MOORE NANCY PRAIZLER KARROLYNN YELLS Legislative Notes by David Anderson CALIFORNIA’S NEWEST NATIONAL MONUMENT O n October 1 0, 201 4 President Obama bypassed an inert Congress and used his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to create the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This new national monument overlooking the Los Angeles Basin consists of 346,177 acres of high quality wilderness areas and many cultural and historic features. It is the 8th national monument under the management of the U.S. Forest Service. Most are managed by the National Park Service or the Bureau of Land Management. President Obama has now given national monument protection to more than 260 million acres of land and water, more than any other President. The rich native flora of the San Gabriels includes the Coulter pine ( Pinus coulteri) and Big Cone Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa). National monument status will give the native plants and ecosystems of the San Gabriels the best protective system available except for a National Park. 2 . The Pipevine December 2014 President’s Message by Catie Bishop, President YOUR MEIIBE^SInHIP IS IMPORTANT W hy be a member of CNPS? What does your mem- bership support? These are legitimate questions someone might ask. After all, our events are open to members and non-members alike. How much can a few general meetings, a newsletter, and a Wildflower Show every 2 years cost anyway? What many people do not know, is that all mem- bership dues support State Programs, with a small subvention given back to each Chapter. Let me describe where your mem- bership money is really going. The California Native Plant Society is the only organization in the State whose sole purpose is the conservation of native plants and their habitats. It does this through six programs: Con- servation, Education, Horticulture, Rare Plants, Vegetation, and Legislative Advocacy. Here is a brief description of what each of those programs does: CONSERVATION: The threats to native plants from develop- ment increases every year. With so much at stake it became necessary for CNPS to hire a full-time Conservation Director. Doing so gives CNPS a seat at the table when projects are being proposed, such as the large solar power plants being in our fragile desert ecosystem. Greg Suba, our current Director, makes sure developers are aware of their possible impacts on rare and endangered plants, and how to mitigate for them, start- ing with ensuring that careful surveys for native plants are con- ducted before development proceeds. EDUCATION: We have a dedicated Education Director, Josie Crawford, who has spearheaded many successful programs during her term. She is the coordinator of the Conservation Con- ference, a huge job to put on every 3 years. She runs profes- sional development training, and has greatly expanded curricula for the school classroom. HORTICULTURE: We have a new Horticulture Director, Susan Krzywicki. Those of you who attended our Horticulture Sym- posium in September and saw her presentation, saw how full of enthusiasm she is about gardening with native plants. She provided information and resources to our Chapter to guide us through the planning process. She is involved with native plant demonstration gardens around the State. There is a horticul- ture newsletter on the State website giving tips and information about gardening, and she has traveled all over the State giving talks to Chapters. RARE PLANTS: Aaron Sims directs our Rare Plant Program. He is responsible for evaluating documentation about possible rare species for listing, and maintaining the Rare Plant Inventory. The Inventory is a document which all other agencies rely on when planning projects. Rare plant protec- tion is the ultimate tool we have to enforce the law with regard to plant conservation. The Program also makes information available for research. VEGETATION: This Program, directed by Julie Evans, is the main program mapping vegetation types in the State. Much of this work is done under contract, and provides some income for CNPS. Vegetation types have the potential to be a conservation tool analogous to individual rare plants. CNPS Vegetation map- ping methods have been taught to dozens of people throughout the State. The Vegetation program has functioned well for years, and amassed a huge amount of data about plant communities that will play an increasing role in the future. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE: This is where CNPS monitors and influences legislation at the State level. We rely on Vern Goeh- ring who is an expert on the California’s legislative process. He meets with the Legislators and their staff to educate them about the need for strong plant protection laws. These Program Director positions would be difficult if not im- possible to fill with just volunteer effort. It takes a full time com- mitment for our major programs to function well. Until we had paid committed directors, in spite of hard-working volunteers, our major program activities were limited and inconsistent. The Executive Director and staff are essential to overall coordination and fund development for the programs, that have made this or- ganization a very influential part of the conservation community in the State. So you can see, there is a lot going on all over the State behind the scenes. The point of being a member is not what is offered at the Chapter level, but that your membership is a reflection of your commitment to native plant conservation. Without it, CNPS would just be a wildflower club. The Pipevine December 2014 3. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER by Janna Lathrop, Events Chair HOME AND GARDEN SHOW W e participated in the Chico Home and Garden Show at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on October 25 and 26 through an invitation of the Chico Horticulture Society. Our table was staffed by Cindy Weiner, Paul Moore, Suellen Rowlison, Jim Bishop, Catie Bishop and Janna Lathrop. Catie and Suellen also provided examples of native plants from their gardens. Cindy contributed milkweed seed which was handed out to those interested growing native milkweed to provide needed habitat for the monarch but- terfly. We answered questions, gave out fascinating facts about native plants, gardening tips and more. HARVEST FESTIVAL NATIVE PLANT SALE On a beautiful Saturday November 8th we were at the Bidwell Mansion for the 10th annual Harvest Festival. We had a spec- tacular day selling native plants, handing out complimentary packets of native plant seed and helping little ones learn to use magnifying glasses. Special thanks to Paula Shapiro who organized the native plant sale and to Nancy Schleiger for joining us with her native plants. Plants and more milkweed seed were provided by Cindy Weiner and Jim and Catie Bishop. Nancy Praizler was a great help at the sales table and KarroLynn Yells found her niche strolling through the event handing out seed packets and directing people to our table. John Meehan dropped off plants and did treasurer related duties. Nathan Lathrop came through and helped with set up. GENERAL MEETING Thank you to Letha Albright, Ellen Copeland, Suellen Rowlison, KarroLynn Yells and Susan Mason for answering the call to help set up for the November 5th general meeting. We had a big turn out and great talk from our two speakers. LOOKING FORWARD The 16th annual Snow Goose Festival will be January 25-26, 2015. We will be in need of members to help the table for two or three hour shifts. ANNIE B’S COMMUNITY DRIVE SUCCESS Congratulations and Thank-you! J anna Lathrop reports, The results of this year’s Annie B’s Drive held August 1 through September 30 exceeded expectations. 45 donors contributed $3448.96! This also includes a seven per cent matching grant of $223. 99. Well done members and friends of Mount Lassen Chapter. This is the sixth year of our participation with the North Valley Community Foundation sponsored event and our best outcome to date both in monies received and the number of donors. The Annie B’s Drive results have become an important source of funding for our chapter’s budget and allows the capability to do good works such as student scholarships to CNPS and local conservation events. We look forward toward expanding to other worthy causes. Thank you Mount Lassen Chapter Members!! HOSPITALITY THANKS YOU by KarroLynn Yells Hospitality Chair S pecial thank yous to Meryl Bond for baking and bringing the goodies for the November General Meeting and the Coley’s, Ron, Bob, Kathie & Arlene for providing the December array of goodies. BAKERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE GENERAL MEETINGS IN 2015 FROM FEBRUARY TO MAY. PLEASE HELP!! f, r BOTANICAL BOOKS by John Meehan, Sales Co-chair ... Are you running out of space for your old books? ... Are you no longer using that field guide to trees? and have too many fern books? D onate your books for the Chapter’s USED BOOK SALE to be held at The WILDFLOWER SHOW in APRIL 2015. All books on plants, gardening, natural history and field guides will be welcome. Books donated to the chapter will be reason- ably priced and the proceeds will benefit the Chapter. Bring your books to the General Meetings from now to April or call John Mee- han at 530 894-5339. 4. The Pipevine December 2014 JIM DEMPSEY receives mR\E DO@ca m@m at the Cal-IPC ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET @ n October 9, 2014 Jim Dempsey received the California Invasive Plant Council’s (Cal-IPC) Land Manager of the Year Award, the “Golden Weed Wrench.” Jim is the 12th recipient of the award and the first State Parks employee. Jim has been with State Parks since 2000, working in the Northern Buttes District. He actively manages invasive plants in the Park units, focusing on restoration, fuel modification and invasive plant management. He is instrumental in the coor- dination of a multi-year riparian restoration at Woodson Bridge Natural Preserve, coordinating work with the California Conservation Corps and State Park interns. As part of his restoration activities, Jim collects local seeds from the Parks and propagates them to planting size within a nursery he built at the District Headquar- ters office in Oroville. These native species are then planted throughout the Parks to start performing their own natural restoration. He works closely with the Friends of Bidwell Park, and recruits and trains interns from Chico State and elsewhere who assist on many of his projects. and MICHAEL BRUHN receives vmm ©iMJiMiKnr ®£? ®o© viiais. Michael Bruhn, a student at CSU Chico, was honored for his extensive volunteer weed work with Friends of Bidwell Park, Mount Lassen Chapter, CNPS, the Chico Park Division, and the Friends of Comanche Creek Greenway. Photos by Woody Elliott 'tSIS CNPS Celebrating 50 Years CNPS 23X10 CONSERVATION CONFERENCE 55JE25 ° f Progress and Prom,se January 15-17, 2015 San Jose, CA cnps.org T he CNPS 2015 Conservation Conference is coming up January 13-17 in San Jose! Join over 1000 attendees in the heart of Silicon Valley for this historic event. The conference will begin with two days of skill-building workshops and field trips to area locations. The main conference starts on the 15th, with keynote speakers (including Michael Soule!) and over 300 presentations in 25 sessions by students, researchers, and CNPS chapters. The event will host fun social events, art, poetry, music, and pho- tography, too - not to mention your chance to explore the Bay Area and more from the ideal central location of San Jose. To get even more involved you can volunteer, and sponsor or exhibit to get special benefits and connect with the biggest gathering of conservationists and native plant enthusiasts in the State of California. Kicking off the 50th anniversary of CNPS, this conference will be larger and more exciting than ever before, so don’t miss out - be a part of the discussion about what the next 50 years will hold! The Pipevine December 2014 5. The Plant Lover’s Guide to SALVIAS by (our own) John Whittlesey from Timber Press T he Timber Press catalogue says - Salvia is a family of flowering plants that can be grown in all regions, either as perennials or annuals. The range of size, color, foliage, and hardiness within the genus is huge, with over 900 species and hundreds of hybrids. They are popular for the vibrancy of their blooms - available in shades ranging from white to near-black - and for their culinary and medicinal uses. This book features everything you need to know to grow this vibrant and fra- grant plant. Plant profiles of 150 varieties highlight each plant’s type, habitat, size, hardiness, origin, cultivation, and use in the landscape. Additional in- formation includes tips on design, how to grow and propagate salvia, where to view them in public gardens, and where to buy them. Owner of Canyon Creek Nursery and Design in northern California, John Whittlesey is a nurseryman, garden designer, landscape contractor, and avid amateur photographer. As a specialty grower and a designer, he enjoys in- teresting plants and creating attractive, water-conserving gardens that pro- vide habitat for people and wildlife. And over the years John has been an active member of Mount Lassen Chapter - speaker at our Horticulture Symposium, Horticulture Chair, contributer to our newsletter and website with Native Plants for the Garden Through the Sea- sons. Available at Lyon books, Barnes & Noble and Sutherland Landscape. THESE BUSINESSES support the goals of the California Native Plant Society and offer its members a 10% discount. THANK YOU Pcrsnrieis, r^ilivr Tree- ..r.p,L S h-.i h ■h "Nancy Schieiger CdTtitk-ji FaniMculture Designs? By appointment n9vivcs^i^n^er>:i:gniail.er'm I STiOimmng? E.noc IXiriuntL t ’A nuih >esp ri njLMr mtrs cn ■, CO m [£ RED HEN Nt Sennttg Qtildrm and Adults with Disabilities Comer of 8 th & Wall Street ■ Chico ■ 891414)0 Unique Perennials, Annuals, Garden Art & More! LittIeRedHen.org discount applies only to plants 1 367 Edit Ave, Chico | 530.894.5410 | www.MognolioGardening.com FLORAL NATIVE NURSERY 2511 Floral Avenue Chico, California 95973-2511 Tdephone/Fax: (330) 892-251 1 E-mail: ainahvet^hockirig.com 6 The Pipevine December 2014 FRIENDS of the HERBARIUM Officers & Chairs December 6, 2014 Wreath Making with Native Plants Workshop Learn about native plants and preserve them in a naturally fragrant native plant wreath. Instructors: JENNIFER JEWELL is a garden writer, photographer and creator of “In a Northstate Garden” and Outreach Coordinator for Gateway Science Museum; ADRIENNE EDWARDS is a botanist, ecologist and arborist who teaches at Chico State, develops educational materials, and designs native plant restorations. January 7 - 8, 201 5 Wed-Thur BRYOPHYTE SAMPLING & INVENTORY TECHNIQUES How to find the rare and unusual species. The goal of this work- shop is to be more effective and efficient in conducting bryophyte inventories, in methods in enhanced data capture, and to learn to distinguish microhabitats. Instructor JIM SHEVOCK coauthored the “Contributions towards a Bryoflora of California” with Dan Norris in 2004. Please register in advance. Descriptions and forms on the Chico State Herbarium website, csuchico.edu/biol/Herb/Events.html Contact the CSU, Chico Biology Office at 530 898-5356. MEMBERSHIP If you have changed your . . . address, phone number or e-mail please notify Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS Membership Chair, KarroLynn Yells at 530 534-3551 or karrolynny@att.net This will help eliminate returned Pipevines from the Post Office. Thank You , KarroLynn Keep up with MLC Activities on our website and Facebook California Native Plant Society, Mount Lassen Chapter and LIKE US facebook mountlassen.cnps.org ELECTED OFFICERS ( 530 ) President Past President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Members-at-Large CHAIRS Conservation Education Invasive Plants Field Trips Co-chairs CAT IE BISHOP cjbishop1991@sbcglobal.net SUELLEN ROWLISON 897-0226 suellen@garlic.com JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net ANN ELLIOTT 521-4402 secretary@mountlassen.cnps.org JOHN MEEHAN 894-5339 johnmeehan64@gmail.com HESH KAPLAN 961-9407 heshelak@gmail.com PAUL MOORE 343-4287 pmoore@csuchico.edu KARROLYNN YELLS 534-3551 KarroLynnY@att.net RON COLEY 533-1238 rcoley64@comcast.net WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com OPEN SUSAN MASON 892-1666 smason908@gmail.com WES DEMPSEY 342-2293 wdempsey@csuchico.edu 893-5123 Horticulture Newsletter Editor 534-3551 343-7440 Mailing Programs Co-chairs GERRY INGCO genaroingco@aol.com Membership / Hospitality KARROLYNN YELLS karrolynny@att.net PAULA SHAPIRO paulashapiro49@gmail.com DENISE DEVINE 345-8444 dsrdevine@hotmail.com MARJORIE MCNAIRN 343-2397 mlmcnairn@aol.com JIM BISHOP cj bishop 1 991 @sbcg lobal.net WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com Rare Plants OPEN Publicity CINDY WEINER 342-7645 wildflowermaven@comcast.net Sales JOHN MEEHAN 894-5339 Co-chairs johnmeehan64@gmail.com ELLEN COPELAND copelande12@yahoo.com Vol. Recognition / Chapter Council Delegate CAT IE BISHOP cj bishop 1 991 @sbcg lobal.net Events JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net Yahi Trail STEPHEN OVERLOCK 892-0635 stephenoverlock@sbcglobal.net CCNC Gardens CLAIRE MEEHAN meehanclairel @g mail, com The Pipevine December 2014 7. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY P O. BOX 3212 CHICO, CA 95927-3212 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Chico, CA Permit No. 553 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Time Value DECEMBER 2014 issue VERNAL POOLS Phyllis would say Join Today ! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY I wish to affiliate with the Mount Lassen Chapter new renew Name Address City State Zip Phone Email Send Membership Application to: CNPS 2707 K STREET, SUITE 1 SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-5113 mountlassen.cnps.org Student / Limited Income $25 Individual $45 Family / Library $75 Plant Lover $100 Patron $300 Benefactor $600 ' Calendar December 3 - General Meeting 7 - Middle Bidwell Park NO Ex Board Meeting January 1 - Maidu Rock, Bidwell Park 15-17 - CNPS Conservation Conf 21 - Ex Board Meeting 25-26 - Snow Goose Festival February 4 - General Meeting 18 - Ex Board Meeting