Wednesday, February 23, 2022 — 7:30 pm
Speaker: Carol Witham
Kaleidoscopes were a favorite holiday gift for children many years ago. They displayed a quickly and constantly changing series of brilliantly colored patterns. The kaleidoscope metaphor works well to describe California’s vernal pool landscapes.
Carol Witham will help us explore vernal pools’ short-lived, weird-looking, fascinating fauna that evolved millions of years ago, and the dazzling swaths of tens of thousands of tiny flowers that change from week to week through a two- to three-month “season.” This tour of California vernal pools will answer questions such as “what makes a vernal pool?” and “why are they found almost nowhere but California?” as we explore vernal pools from throughout the state.
About the Speaker
Carol Witham is a self-taught vernal pool ecologist and has been studying that ecosystem for over three decades. She is a private consultant specializing in rare plants and animals of vernal pools and their management. Carol is author of Field Guide to the Vernal Pools of Mather Field, Sacramento County and co-editor of Jepson Prairie Preserve Handbook, 3rd Edition. She is also very active in vernal pool conservation advocacy and education.
Carol is currently the treasurer for the Sacramento Valley Chapter of CNPS. In the past she has served in several leadership roles within the statewide CNPS organization including president, vice president, and treasurer.
Our CNPS East Bay speaker programs will be presented as online meetings until it is once again safe to gather in person. If you have questions, contact Sue at programs@ebcnps.org.
