California Native Plant Society, Mount Lassen Chapter

08/06/2026

Growing native Milkweeds
There are 15 milkweed species (Asclepias genus) native to California, serving as the essential host plants for Western monarch butterfly caterpillars. Because non-native varieties like tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) remain green year-round and spread harmful parasites, experts strongly urge planting only regional California natives. There are four species of Milkweeds in our area. Monarch butterflies require two different types of plants depending on their stage of life. Milkweed plants for their caterpillars stage and nectar-rich flowers for the adult butterflies. Monarch caterpillars are obligate specialists that eat only milkweed leaves which it provides them with a vital chemical defense against predator that provides them with toxic chemicals called cardenolides (cardiac glycosides) that they store in their bodies without harming themselves that accumulated them poisonous to predators.

Come to our monthly meeting on Thursday, August 13th 7:00 PM at the Paradise Branch of the Butte County Library! (5922 Clark Rd, Paradise, CA 95969)! https://maps.app.goo.gl/EJrxbABoPZpWp45U9

We really hope to see you all there! This is a change in venue.

06/13/2026

Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

June 18, 2026 Thursday 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Via Zoom)

https://csuchico.zoom.us/meeting/register/4AaZAXgwRUqztL7JsHKLqg #/registration

Discover one of California's most extraordinary yet under-recognized landscapes, located less than 2 hours drive west and south of Chico – the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Our speaker, Marc Hoshovsky, will help us better understand this region, why the region is so fascinating, and why it is now designated as the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

06/13/2026

Just relased from the printers.....do you have your copy ?? Available from the Ahart Herbarbium.......80 copies on Friday........well there moving fast

05/08/2026

The Northern California Regional Land Trust is excited to welcome the public to the Deer Creek Preserve to enjoy spring wildflowers as part of the Take a Hike event series. Led by the Land Trust staff and board of directors, along with our partner guides, Marjorie McNairn and Robert Fischer from the Mt. Lassen
Chapter of CNPS, this annual tradition accommodates all levels of interest and prior experience with California’s flora.

We will slowly wind into the interior of the Preserve, identifying and photographing plants along the trailside, before returning along the same route, offering participants the opportunity to revisit paths less traveled, learn about and name most of the wildflowers and plants we observe, and enjoy beautiful canyon views.

This is a moderate hike of three to four miles, depending on participant interest. Supportive footwear, light clothing layers, sunscreen, a hat, and ample water and snacks are recommended.

Registration is with Northern California Regional Land Trust is free but is required to participate. Register with the Land Trust through their events page:

https://www.landconservation.org/events.

Your optional, tax-deductible donation supports educational outreach in our communities, and the conservation of open spaces and wild places across Northern California.
Suggested Donation: $10 per person.

Meeting Location: Chico Park-and-Ride at 8 a.m. to coordinate carpools. Optionally meet the group at 9 a.m. at the Deer Creek Trail Parking Area at the red bridge over Deer Creek, the first crossing of Deer Creek along Hwy 32 from Chico.
There is no service at the trailhead so please coordinate with hike leaders where you plan on meeting the group. Please sign up on Meetup so we can expect you!

05/07/2026

Steve laymon will be doing a colorful presentation on the genus Clarkia focusing on the local Clarkias found in our area with an overview of genus Clarkia. Steve is a retired wildlife biologist and has been studying clarkias for over 20 years. He has photographed every clarkia in the state!

Our May general meeting will be Thursday, May 14th at the Chico Branch of the Butte Public Library. Please disregard the typo in April's Pipevine

04/26/2026

https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-mount-lassen-chapter/events/314494481/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=226371298

Up Coming workshops from Friends of the Ahart Herbarium the grass and willow workshops fill fast Four upcoming workshops from Friends of the Ahart Herbarium are now open f

04/11/2026

Plants Gone Wild: Invaders Optimize Leaf Nitrogen Towards Photosynthesis.....zoom

https://www.meetup.com/california-native-plant-society-mount-lassen-chapter/events/314231315/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=226371298

04/09/2026

Come join us for our April General Meeting, where we will be hosting members of the Heritage Growers team for a presentation on their native seed farming operation.

For their large-scale restoration projects done at a landscape scale, the need for bulk quantities of regionally-appropriate native seed became critical for River Partner’s success. The native seed farm Heritage Growers was borne out of this need, and has been producing native seed for 20 years.

Heritage Growers is a non-profit native seed farm based out of Colusa, California and is a venture of the non-profit organization, River Partners. They are focused on the collection and production of source-identified native seed that can be used in large- and small-scale restoration projects. Heritage Growers specializes in seed collection, cleaning and production and will be presenting on how a native seed farm operates.

Make sure to attend this informational presentation and get all of your native seed questions answered by the Heritage Growers Team!

04/08/2026

Hello everyone!

It's almost here! The 2026 Water-wise & Habitat Friendly Garden Tour! We have 15 gardens this year with 4 in Paradise, 1 in Durham and 10 in Chico. In addition, this year we have 4 family friendly gardens with scavenger hunts, activities and a special prize for all kids, 6-12. And kids are free! Come join us for a day of fun and information. We have something for everyone. Some gardens are less than a year with others being mature with rare plants. Some are professionally installed while others are DIY and done beautifully on a budget. See you there!