FUTURE FIELD TRIPS: Mark your calendars!

Saturday May 3, 11am-1:30pm
Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve with Val Haley

The Santa Cruz Sandhills support some of the rarest natural communities in the world. And who better to show you their splendors than Val Haley, who has dedicated much of her life to their exploration and restoration! On this moderate 2-mile hike, Val will discuss the ecology and geology of the area, as well as pointing out such rarities such as Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana, Arctostaphylos andersonii, and A. silvicola, and the lovely curly-leaved monardellas and Ben Lomond wallflowers. When was the last time you saw Western Burning Bush or Labrador Tea? (which tells you she may wander off the sandhills towards the creek). Hike is limited to 15 people. You must contact Val to reserve a spot: 831-425-0687 or vegnet@cruzio.com. Bring sun protection, water, snack, etc. Meet at the fire station on Martin Rd in Bonny Doon

Saturday, May 3.
All Day Botanical Excursion to Clear Creek/San Benito Mountain
with BLM Botanist Ryan O'Dell

One of the most bizarre and impressive serpentine areas in the world is 90 miles southeast of Monterey Bay. Join Ryan O'Dell of BLM for this guided tour of serpentine riparian, barrens, grasslands, and chaparral for splendid flowers such as rare fritillary lilies, sunflowers, and serpentine grassland fire-followers from a prescribed burn of 2007. Meet at the Hollister BLM Office at 8am for carpooling or at the Clear Creek Rd./Coalinga Rd. jct. at 10am. Contact Ryan at 831.630.5028 or ryan_o'dell@blm.gov to RSVP

Sunday May 4 10am-12pm
Coastal Prairie Mima Mounds with Deanna Giuliano and Brett Hall

Join Brett Hall and Deanna Giuliano on a trip to one of our local wonderlands, a coastal wet prairie with mima mounds. You will see an amazing display of our local native bunch grasses, sedges, and rushes, along with a kaleidoscope of annuals and bulbs. Among the highlights we hope to see in bloom are Calochortus uniflorus and Brodiaea terrestris.
This trip will be from 10 am-12 pm, or longer if we find more interesting flora. Bring water, sunscreen, hat and a lunch. We'll hike to two adjacent meadows, with easy access and a leisurely walk. To meet us at the meadow: there are turnouts by the bus stop on Empire grade, Santa Cruz, about ½ mile north of the twin gates of Marshall Field (UCSC Natural Reserve). Parking is located on the right and left hand sides of the road.
Carpooling is encouraged, but not CNPS-sponsored. The Barn Theatre at the entrance to UCSC campus (High St and Bay St) is a good meeting place. Contact Deanna Giuliano for any questions at
drosegiuliano@yahoo.com or call 831 278-2699

Mothers Day Sunday, May 11, 10am-3pm.
Fort Ord Vernal Pool Flora and Fauna with Bruce Delgado and Suzanne Worcester

We'll focus during several short hikes on rare wetland flowers such as the endangered Contra Costa goldfields and the always beautiful Johnny Nip (Castilleja ambigua ssp. insalutata, a wetland relative to the Indian paintbrushes), brownie thistle, and ladies tresses. We'll also enjoy flowers between the pools such as early rein orchids and other late spring wildflowers such as the beautiful virgate Eriastrum and what will likely be many surprises. Meet 10am at the Thrift Store parking lot inside the Lightfighter Dr./Fort Ord main entrance exit off Hwy. 1. When was the last time you cavorted around mima mounds? Bring water, weather protection, lunch, and wear good walking shoes. Call Bruce at 394-8314 or 277-7690 or email him at bdelgado@blm.gov or bdelgado@mbay.net.

Saturday May 17
Fog, Rare Manzanitas and Maritime Chaparral w/ Mike Vasey UC Santa Cruz

Mid-May is a great time to get a sense of the relationship between summer fog and maritime chaparral. We will examine rare manzanitas, their many native plant associates, and talk about the relationship between maritime chaparral and summer fog. Plans are to visit three sites along a fog-no fog gradient: (1) UC Fort Ord Natural Reserve in Marina; (2) Sala Property (Elkhorn Slough Foundation) in the Pajaro Hills; and (3) Reeves Ranch Nature Conservancy preserve near Fremont Peak in the Gabilan Range. In all, we will see four local endemic Manzanita species including the recently described A. gabilanensis. Each of these different sites represents different dimensions of maritime chaparral and our goal will be to observe and discuss both their similarities and their differences. I will also talk about land use history for each site and demonstrate my experimental set-up in each locality. With luck, we ll have some FOG!
Start: Meet at 9:00 am at parking lot on the left hand side at the end of Neeson Road in Marina, Monterey Co. (directions; from Highway 1, take Reservation Rd exit east, bear right and stay on Reservation Rd until you reach Imjin Rd, make a left on Imjin Rd and follow to Neeson Rd (near airport), turn left on Neeson Rd and go west until you come to a signed parking area on left). From the parking area, we will hike into the UC Natural Reserve. Directions and a schedule for the rest of the day will be handed out at that time.

Saturday May 17, 11am-1:30pm
Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve with Val Haley

The Santa Cruz Sandhills support some of the rarest natural communities in the world. And who better to show you their splendors than Val Haley, who has dedicated much of her life to their exploration and restoration! On this moderate 2-mile hike, Val will discuss the ecology and geology of the area, as well as pointing out such rarities such as Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana, Arctostaphylos andersonii, and A. silvicola, and the lovely curly-leaved monardellas and Ben Lomond wallflowers. When was the last time you saw Western Burning Bush or Labrador Tea? (which tells you she may wander off the sandhills towards the creek). Hike is limited to 15 people. You must contact Val to reserve a spot: 831-425-0687 or vegnet@cruzio.com. Bring sun protection, water, snack, etc. Meet at the fire station on Martin Rd in Bonny Doon

Sunday May 18, 10 am-1pm
A Wildflower Stroll into Malpaso Canyon
Corky Matthews trip rescheduled!
CNPS MEMBERS ONLY

Join Monterey County flora author Mary Ann (Corky) Matthews for an easy 2-mile walk to view the wonderfully diverse wildflowers of Malpaso Canyon. This trip is restricted to CNPS members only because of the need to arrange for special access across private land. Access thanks to member Bonni Weinstein, who will accompany us. Corky says Malpaso Canyon is one of her all-time favorite flower walks, with an ever-changing palette of flowers from spring through summer. Plant lists will be available. Meet at 10 am behind Brinton's at the mouth of Carmel Valley off Carmel Rancho Blvd. or 10:30 am at the end of Malpaso Rd. Contact Corky (mmatthews2@comcast.net) for more details.

Sat May 24, 10AM-Noon
Edible and Medicinal Native Plants of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
w/Helena Hope Roberts and L. Roxanne Evans

Come learn how to spice up your life on this native plant walk through the magestic redwoods! Helena Hope is a third generation herbalist and certified classical homeopath, who will identify plants as natives or exotics, and discuss their uses, including edible, medicinal, homeopathic, and Native American uses. L. Roxanne Evans is an ecological landscape designer and consultant, and is the owner of EcoCentric Design Co. As a former organic farmer and wildcrafter, she calls herself a wild edibles enthusiast. If you wish to tame some of the plants you learn about on the walk, she can help you learn how to bring them into your garden. Helena Hope and Roxanne have published a booklet entitled, "I Bet You Didn't Know This About The Plants of Henry Cowell" with plant info, drawings and appendices. The new booklet will be available for $12.00. Hiking will be less than 2 miles and consists of easy strolling. Meet at 10 AM in front of the Henry Cowell Interpretive Center, near Felton. There is a $6.00 park entrance fee. Free parking is available outside the park. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Thanks! For more info/RSVP: 831-768-1382 or 831-421-2843; tasteofthebay@gmail.com.

Sat May 31, 11am-12:30 (or longer)
Evolutionary Sleuthing in the Genus Trifolium
With Randy Morgan

Meet at 11am at the UCSC Barn Theatre at the corner of High and Bay Streets, Santa Cruz. From there we will proceed to a rooftop garden on the ISB on campus (with elevator access). We will see nearly a thousand pots of Trifolium, approximately 150 species, as Randy is growing out all of the major taxanomic groups worldwide. A subset of the collection includes nearly all of the California native clovers, with many variations of each. After Randy introduces a plethora of taxanomic puzzles, you may simply enjoy the flowers, or join in the research and preservation efforts, and stay late after class! Possible follow-up dates may be scheduled to observe more species as they come into flower. If you can’t make this date, but want to be notified of future opportunities, call Randy Morgan 831-466-0680, or email Ellen ellen@centralcoastwilds.com If you have any mysterious clovers in need of identification, feel free to bring them!

Sunday, June 8, 1:00 PM
Point Lobos Perimeter Hike

Explore the plant communities of Point Lobos. We'll meet at the entrance on Highway 1 (Park along the highway) at 1:00 for a 4-5 hour, 6 mile walk around Point Lobos. We'll see meadows, Monterey Pine forest, Monterey cypress, coastal scrub and coastal bluff wildflowers. We'll also being viewing birds and marine mammals as well as the plants, so bring binoculars as well as water and a snack, if you wish. Slow pace - we will be braking for wildflowers, sea otters, nesting herons, etc.
Joint trip with Yerba Buena and Santa Cruz chapters. Contact Rosemary Foster (831)625-3083 or rdonlon4mbcnps@earthlink.net for more info. Please call (831)277-8081 the day of the hike.

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