How Will We Manage East Bay Wildfire Risk?
While 2020 is a year most of us would just as soon forget, as long as the climate keeps warming, the risk of large wildfires will continue as part of the “new abnormal.” How we deal with this risk has implications for the health and diversity of native plant communities in our natural areas. Our CNPS East Bay Chapter participates and makes the case for preservation of native plants and habitats as cities and public land agencies plan and implement wildfire prevention strategies along the wildland-urban interface.
Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Starts April 25
The 2021 free, virtual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour kicks off on April 25! Register to join on any or all of four Sundays (April 25, May 2, May 16, and May 23) filled with inspiration and hands-on information for native plant gardeners.
Where to Find Beautiful Native Plants Now: Mount Diablo State Park’s Serpentine Soil
Last year at this time, under COVID-19 restrictions and road closures, our chapter vice president (now president) followed the rules and found lovely wildflowers on Mount Diablo’s serpentine soil using only her bicycle on the roads and her feet on the trails. You too can explore wildflower areas in these easy-on-the-planet ways, even if we no longer have to.
Manzanitas and Me (and Beware of Spreading Plant Pathogens)
Cathy Chambers, our chapter’s new Rare Plants Committee chair, loves manzanitas and has a longtime interest in ethnobotany. She was looking forward to writing an article for the Bay Leaf about the intersection of those two passions, but instead she finds herself sharing bad news about disease in East Bay manzanita populations and advocating for ways our individual actions can help stop the spread of plant diseases.
Our Outstanding Outgoing Board Members
Our CNPS East Bay Chapter board attracts special people who also have time to devote to advancing the chapter’s goals. We have been extraordinarily fortunate to benefit from the talents, energy, and commitment of many wonderful board members, and we’re taking this opportunity to recognize and thank those who are moving on but made an enormous difference through their service.
