California Native Plant Society - Sanhedrin Chapter

09/08/2026

Check out this opportunity to document biodiversity at Clear Lake State Park this Thursday, September 10th, with the iNaturalist.org app!

Did you know that Monday, September 7th, is California Biodiversity Day? What better way to celebrate than by exploring the ecological richness of Clear Lake State Park!!

Come join us this Thursday, September 10th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for a Bioblitz! Using iNaturalist, we'll be competing with other parks around the State to record as many different species of plant, fungi, and animal as possible. Participants receive FREE entry to the park!

We'll have a guided Bioblitz effort led by Park staff departing shortly after 10:00 AM. You are also welcome to join the effort on your own anytime between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM by using iNaturalist to record your sightings at the park. Hope to see you there!!

06/08/2026

SSU’s Galbreath Wildlands Preserve invites you to visit to learn about some of the more noxious weeds that challenge land managers and conservationists alike. On Saturday, June 13 from 10 to 4, we will travel through the preserve and talk about the invasives we see, native and non-native. We will learn more about these plants, what makes them unwelcome in certain places and how we can most effectively manage them.

Details about the day and the presenters is here: https://cei.sonoma.edu/weeds.

05/24/2026

Learning Local May Wildflowers, Part 3 of 3

What a spectacular flowering season it’s been across California. Hillsides, roadsides, forests, and meadows have all been putting on a show this spring. If you haven’t made it out for a wildflower walk yet, it’s not too late — there’s still plenty blooming, especially as we transition into the summer.

This week’s stars:

Royal larkspur — despite its delicate appearance, larkspur species are highly toxic to livestock and people if consumed. Their vivid purple flowers are especially beloved by native bees.

Red ribbons — one of California’s most charming wildflowers, named for its ribbon-like petals that seem to dance in the breeze.

Cardinal catchfly — those dramatic fringed petals aren’t just for looks. The bright red flowers are excellent for attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.

05/14/2026

Join us for a gentle, shaded walk through the forests of Jackson Demonstration State Forest to visit Lost Lake - a small lake formed by an ancient landslide.

Along the way, we'll explore local flora, natural history, and the quiet beauty of the forest.

If you miss the boat and want to catch up, we've added a map highlighting the ~3 mile route (road 250) we'll drive from the meeting spot and the gate (cross hairs), where we will begin our ~2 mile hike along road 252.

Hope to see you there!

05/10/2026

Learning Local May Wildflowers, Part 2 of 3

According to "Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: Gardening with California Monocots", a cross between Iris purdyi and Iris tenax was the first Californian iris to receive a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit back in 1914. The hybrid was named “Iota.” The award recognizes plants that perform especially well in gardens and show resistance to common pests and diseases.

In fact, Iris purdyi hybridizes so readily with other native iris species that truly unhybridized individuals are considered rare.

One feature that helps distinguish Iris purdyi from all other California irises is its stigma shape: rounded, truncate, or bi-lobed. Other California irises have triangular or tongue-shaped stigmas.

05/03/2026

Learning Wildflowers: Part 1 of 3 🌼

Do you know what’s blooming outside right now?

We challenge you to familiarize yourself with a few of our local superstars! Noticing these ID clues helps separate lookalikes in the field.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series next week.

04/30/2026

Grasses are Fun and Challenging to Identify! Build your skills. The Hopland Research and Extension Center is hosting a one-day grass identification workshop.

WHEN: Friday May 29th
TIME: 9AM - 4:30PM
LOCATION: HREC
COST: $150, Equity pricing from $90

More information and registration can be found on the HREC website.

04/25/2026

Join us for Forest Bathing in Low Gap Park!

Want a quiet relaxing moment in nature? What is Forest Bathing? Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of "forest bathing" or "taking in the forest atmosphere." It is a form of ecotherapy that involves immersing oneself in a natural environment and mindfully connecting with nature through the senses, rather than simply going for a hike. The practice originated in Japan in the 1980s as a national health program to counteract the stresses of an urbanized lifestyle. This practice offers multiple health benefits: mental, physical and emotional.

RSVP here (https://forms.gle/G7uuqgjqHtoLQEZ48) so we know how many people to expect.

WHEN: May 9, 2026 - 10am-12pm

WHERE: Meet in Low Gap Park, meet between the tennis courts and the playground.

For more information about Forest Bathing visit https://sites.google.com/view/forest-bathing-with-megan/home

04/06/2026

Happy California Poppy Day!

🧡 April 6th was designated as California poppy day in 1973

🧡 You can find California poppies in your neighborhood, local parks, roadsides, along trails, and many different areas. Some have been planted but others are natural populations

🧡 They can be perennial with a thick tap root or annual depending on growing conditions

🧡 Take a moment to see if you can spot any pollinators or insects on poppies around you

🧡 Make sure to stay on trails and leave the flowers for the pollinators