In Person Events sponsored by the Dorothhy Kiing Young Chapter are retuning. As spring beckons us, Field Trips come to mind and there are several listed in the Field Trip Heading below. Designed to entice you out into nature, discovering Native Plants in a variety of coastal ecologies. Thanks Rhiannon for jump starting the return to In Person Events with this wonderfully diverse selection of Field Trips.
Sunday June 4, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
38901 Ocean Drive in Gualala, across the street from Redwood Coast Medical Services.
Usually held at the Gualala Community Center, The Annual Wildflower Show will be held at Coast Life Support District’s Bill Platt Training Center this year as the Community Center was recently destroyed in an arson fire.
Outings are open to everyone, not just members. All levels of expertise, from beginners to experienced botanizers, are welcome. Walks begin at 10 a.m., unless otherwise noted. You will be required to sign a Release of Liability Form to attend the outing. Check our Facebook Page and the DKY CNPS Chapter Activities/Events web page for announcements.
To Register for a Field Trip/Walk: RSVP Here. Note: You may register for more than one Field Trip using any of the Links to Field Trip Registration Form provided here or below at the end of each Field Trip description.
Come observe the amazing resilience of nature where habitats of coastal
scrub and Bishop pine and Douglas fir, and redwood/alder floodplain
forest are regenerating after historic logging disturbance at Mill Bend.
We'll be observing wildflowers, shrubs, and other native plants that survived or returned in spite of the disturbance to their landscape.
Mill Bend Preserve, located along the Gualala River estuary, was acquired by the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy in 2021 after a long and ultimately successful campaign to protect Mill Bend's environmentally valuable estuarine and floodplain forest habitats.
Hike Level: Easy to moderate.
Leaders: Julia Larke and Mary Hunter
Contact: Cheryl Harris, charSupport CNPS Plant NativesrisSupport CNPS Plant Natives* aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest *rcSupport CNPS Plant Nativeslc.oSupport CNPS Plant Nativesrg
RSVP HereIf the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Local botanist Rhiannon Korhummel will show you the native shrubbery diversity. So many are in bloom at this time and the types of flowers are numerous!
Hike Location: Old Smith Ranch Trail, easy 2 mile out and back.
The Old Smith Ranch property protects a significant portion of the Ten Mile River and estuary, which is host to coniferous forests, riparian woodlands, shrublands, sand dunes and brackish marsh. All of these habitats provide safe harbor to endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species, including tidewater goby, coho salmon, steelhead trout, Point Reyes horkelia, and Howell's spineflower. An offshoot of the trail threads under the Ten Mile bridge - where hundreds of swallows nest in spring and summer - and connects to the Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve. With existing parklands just to the west, the property serves as a critical open space buffer for wildlife. In order to protect the federally endangered western snowy plovers that nest in the Ten Mile Dunes, dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Local botanist Alison Gardner will lead folks along the MacKerricher State Park Glass Beach Headlands to show the amazing coastal prairie plants and wildflowers that grow in this treasure of land, including the rare Pt. Reyes blennosperma that grows only here and in Pt. Reyes National Park!
Hike Level: Easy walk less than 1-mile.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here Heavy rain or strong winds will cancel.
UC Berekely Lichen Curator Klara Scharnagl will lead a walk through our coastal conifer forests teaching about lichen ecology and identification. The diversity of trees and shrubs at VanDamme (along with many fallen trees) provides various habitats for many lichen species.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
Hike Level: Moderate 5-mile loop with a stream crossing (no bridge).
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Locally renowned State Park Interpreter Steve Jahelka will show you the incredible world of redwood forest ecology. Steve has worked at Hendy Woods for many years and knows the place better than most!
Hike Level: Hendy Woods Upper Loop. Moderate 5-mile loop with obstructions to navigate.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Local botanist Alison Gardner will lead folks along the MacKerricher State Park Glass Beach Headlands to show the amazing coastal prairie plants and wildflowers that grow in this treasure of land, including the rare Pt. Reyes blennosperma that grows only here and in Pt. Reyes National Park!
Hike Level: Easy walk less than 1-mile.
Heavy rain or strong winds cancel.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Plans are in progress. There will be a DKY display table at Point Arena City Hall and a Native Plant hike at 10 AM from City Hall to the Mendocino College Field Station with Julia Larke and others. At the Point Arena Lighthouse, Nancy Morin will have a station at the native plant display garden with plans to explore the bluff area near the lighthouse. There will also be a walk along the bluffs overlooking the pda'ha? estuary of the Garcia River with speakers from The Nature Conservancy to view and discuss the recent logjam habitat installations as well as observing wildflowers along the way with DKY members. Other activities include whale, sea mammal, and bird watching stations, and food stations! Shuttles will be available.
Walk approximately 1.5 hours over moderate terrain. We will observe coastal scrub, coastal prairie wildflowers and shrubs.
For more information or if you would like to participate, contact Julia Larke, coaSupport CNPS Plant NativesstlSupport CNPS Plant NativesarkSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmaSupport CNPS Plant Nativesil.coSupport CNPS Plant Natives
We will walk each of the three trails of the 40-acre park which will take us into second growth redwood, mixed evergreen forest, and oak woodlands. The park is known for its azaleas!
Hike Location: Faulkner Park is located east of Boonville on Mountain View Road. It is the first Mendocino County Park, donated in 1930 by the Santa Fe Land Company. The 40-acre park sits on both sides of Mountain View Road. There are three trails, one of which is the Azalea Trail that passes through the heart of the park, where large azalea shrubs grow under a canopy of second-growth redwood. The other two trails enter into mixed evergreen forest and oak woodland. The hike is moderate due to elevation gain. Total walking distance approximately 3-miles.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Come discover the fascinating ecosystem of the Ten Mile Dunes with its native plants that include several rare species that inhabit this dune system. Jim Gibson will be leading the walk; Jim has been exploring, learning, and teaching about the plants of the Ten Mile Dunes for more than a decade.
Medium strenuous hike in sand along the dune bluffs then out into the dunes. We need to be mindful of the endangered Snowy Plover nesting sites so hike area is determined by the current nesting activity and location. Bring sunscreen, water, snack, or lunch.
Due to the sensitive nature of this ecosystem, rare plants and Federally protected bird species (Snowy Plover) this field trip is limited to 15 persons and RSVP on a first come basis is required. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Local botanist Alison Gardner will lead folks along the MacKerricher State Park Glass Beach Headlands to show the amazing coastal prairie plants and wildflowers that grow in this treasure of land, including the rare Pt. Reyes blennosperma that grows only here and in Pt. Reyes National Park!
Hike Level: Easy walk less than 1-mile.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here Heavy rain or strong winds will cancel.
Come learn native coastal prairie and coastal scrub plant species along with some of their pollinators with local nature author Katy Pye.
Easy walk on flat trails.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Check back for new date. Continue to RSVP for the field trip and Rhiannon will contact when road conditions improve. Thanks!
We will travel along the Peter Douglas trail exploring the plants of the many habitats that are along the trail, including mixed evergreen forest, redwood forest, and coastal scrub. Portions of the trail burned in 2019; wildfires can stimulate a wide array of interesting plant species from the disturbance it causes.
Hike Location: The Peter Douglas trail is located in an area called "Shady Dell." Shady Dell is located just north of Usal and is the gateway to the extremely rugged area known as the Lost Coast. The 1,000-acre Shady Dell property is owned by Save the Redwoods League. The Mendocino Land Trust took on the task of constructing 2.3 miles of trail through this area with old-growth redwoods, including a special grove of "Candelabra Trees." This trail has had some expansions, including a 0.5-mile stretch along Shady Dell Creek and a soon to be completed ridge trail. Which trail we do is still TBD.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
Join local ecologist/botanist Peter Baye for an exploration and discussion of the Garcia River Estuary's wetland complex, including tidal marshes and their gradients into riparian woodland, and floodplain freshwater marsh.
Hike Location: The diverse tidally influenced reaches of the lower Garcia River connect beach, dune, coastal bluff, freshwater marsh, riparian woodland wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, and brackish tidal marsh. This wetland complex is distinctive among other Mendocino Coast estuaries in many aspects, including vegetation. It is undergoing rapid change from droughts, floods, erosion, sea level rise, and habitat enhancement features constructed for coho salmon. Regionally uncommon to rare plants that occur here include Humboldt Bay owl's-clover (Castilleja ambigua subsp. humboldtiensis), Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei) and seacoast or shining angelica (Angelica lucida), among more widespread brackish marsh and freshwater wetland plants - but dynamic populations and hydrology here change distribution and abundance each year, so we never know what will be found where we can access from foot trails. With luck, we may discover more mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), which is known only from the marshes north of the estuary. Boots or sandals and walking sticks are recommended for reaching interesting areas that may require crossing shallow water or mud, but most of the ground to reach is firm. The walk is scheduled for a low but rising tide in the morning.
Contact: Field trip coordinator Rhiannon at rkSupport CNPS Plant NativesbotaSupport CNPS Plant NativesnistSupport CNPS Plant Natives*aSupport CNPS Plant Nativest*Support CNPS Plant NativesgmSupport CNPS Plant Nativesail.cSupport CNPS Plant Nativesom
RSVP Here If the weather is too wet or cold for us to not have fun, the hike will be cancelled.
When not attending a DKY sponsored walk one can take advantage of the many other State and Regional Parks, the many hiking and biking trails in Jackson Demonstration State Forest, the Nature Conservancy and Mendocino Land Trust properties. Check out the Locations & Resources page for more information about many of the areas mentioned above.
While things have shifted in the Pandemic there is still need for common sense and caution so Please be mindful of others and follow all current CDC and County COVID guidelines and recommendations. -dky webmaster
Check out our Virtual Wildflower Tours for a preview to the flowers one might expect see in the respective locations listed above.
Environmental Partnership Potluck
Sunday, March 26, 2023
12:00-3:00 p.m. (11:00 a.m. setup all Hands are Welcome)
Greenwood Community Center, Elk
Peter Baye: Environmentalist of the Year
Four organizations dedicated to the Mendocino environment ”Dorothy King Young Chapter of CNPS, Mendocino Coast Audubon, Mendocino Land Trust, and Mendocino State Parks ”began meeting in the late 1990s to share information and provide mutual support. By 2002 they had formalized to the extent of agreeing to meet annually, rotate hosting the meeting, and present an award each year to a person or organization whose efforts on behalf of the environment have made a difference in our community. This award was renamed the Matt Coleman Environmental Service Award in his honor after his tragic death. Ginny and Warren Wade, Joan Curry, Pat Howard, Binah Polay, and Sally Malby were the organizers.
DKY is this year's host. The host organization nominates an awardee (it can be more than one), and since many of our DKY members are also active in the other groups, we have been well represented. At last year's meeting, for the first time, a new organization was added, the Noyo Center, adding the marine environment to the group.
This year's Environmentalist of the Year is our own Peter Baye, Naturalist, Botanist, Conservationist extraordinaire!
Please come and celebrate this recognition of his work to protect native habitats in Mendonoma.
We will start setting up at 11:00 a.m. (please help if you can). Bring a dish to share, beverage, and utensils. Lunch will start at noon, then the partners will briefly update everyone on their activities, followed by the award to Peter. It is a very fun event. And, you'll be amazed at how much these groups are accomplishing. For more information Email presidentSupport CNPS Plant Natives* atSupport CNPS Plant Natives *dkySupport CNPS Plant NativescnpSupport CNPS Plant Nativess.Support CNPS Plant Nativesorg or leave a message at 707 271-3156. Greenwood Community Center is at 6129 S. Highway One (look for the sign, take the dirt drive to the back.
DKY ANNUAL MEMBERS' MEETING AND POTLUCK
Sunday, December 11, 2022
12:00-2:30 p.m.
Greenwood Community Center, Elk
Phil Van Soelen, will talk about
Supporting Native Biodiversity In Your Garden
We know Phil mostly as the person who, with Sherrie Althouse, started California Flora Nursery-the source of most of the plants that we get for our annual plant sales. A trip to CalFlora Nursery is a glorious experience! He is retired now and has been spending some time exploring the Mendocino and Sonoma coast with his wife, Mary Killian. Phil combines an artist's eye (he attended California Institute of the Arts in Southern California) with an ecologist's knowledge (he has an undergraduate degree in environmental studies), and a conservationist's ethic (he has focused on protecting northern California rare plants through CNPS).Recently he was one of the featured horticulturists in "Under Western Skies: Visionary Gardens from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast," by Jennifer Jewel, published in 2021 by Timber Press. We are so honored that he will share his expertise with us at our potluck.
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Saturday May 28, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Sunday May 29, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Sunday 2:00PM, a talk by botanist Nancy Morin -
Gualala Community Center
DKY's Annual Wildflower
Show
Returns to the Gualala Community Center
Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29 (check times above).
Join Nancy Morin on Sunday at 2:00 PM for her talk about
Rare and Interesting Plants on the Mendocino
Coast
Please Wear a Mask
The Dorothy King Young Chapter Annual Potluck Meeting at the Elk Community Center, hosted Teresa Sholars as the featured speaker. She gave a presentation on her research and author of Lupines in Jepson eFlora and Flora of North America. Video, separate audio files and PowerPoint of her presentation Adventures with Lupinus, from Populations to Publications are linked below. Due to technical difficulties at the site the first few minutes of her presentation is missing from the video and audio files. The PDF version of her PDF Powerpoint presentation is complete.
- Video Zoom video recording Adventures with Lupinus, from Populations to Publications -Teresa Sholars
- AudioAudio only file of Teresa's presentation
- Power PointComplete Power Point Presentation
Our 2021 Celebrating CNPS Native Plant Week begins with a slideshow of wildflowers to be found at Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Katy Pye has put together this tour, map and guide to locations and trails where one might find these native wildflowers along with the blooming periods and the creatures that visit them for each species represented.
18220 North Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA
Individual volunteer citizen scientists and other participants interested in the 2021 SOD training and sampling for the Mendocino Coast can pick up their envelopes to collect Bay Laurel and Tan Oak leaf samples for the UC Berkeley Lab research project to track the spread of Phytophthora ramorum in California.
Mario Abreu, DKY representative will “man” the 2021 SOD Blitz station scheduled at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens enter parking lot on Saturday, May 29th from 10-11 AM, Sunday, May 30th from 10-11 AM, and Tuesday, June 1st from 10-11 AM for the “last chance” final drop off date and time to turn in sample envelopes from participants to be mailed to Doug Schmidt Wednesday morning, June 2nd. Contact: Mario Abreu 2021 SOD Blitzabre2021 SOD Blitzu2021 SOD Blitz a2021 SOD Blitzt 2021 SOD Blitzmc2021 SOD Blitzn.o2021 SOD Blitzrgs for details. Please do not contact the Botanical Gardens regarding this event.
Note: Participating SOD Blitz volunteers need go to the online website provided by the UC Berkeley Lab for training videos SOD Checklist and Sign up Link prior to event.Please wear a mask at the pick-up / drop-off station.
Non-Chemical Weed Control
This manual, available as a free download, provides comprehensive descriptions of 21 non-chemical weed control techniques used in California. It also provides descriptions of biological control agents targeting 18 of our state's most challenging weeds.
Compiled by researchers and
practitioners, the manual includes tips on how to use techniques,
the kinds of plants and environments in which they work best, and
the associated risks.
These BMPs form the foundation for an online decision support tool being developed in partnership with UC Agriculture & Natural Resources, with funding from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
“A look at Mendocino's rare Pygmy Forest ecosystem with local botanist Teresa Sholars” - Mendocino Voice, Lana Cohen