California Native Plant Society -- Marin Chapter Meetup

Leader: Carolyn Longstreth & Todd Steiner, wildlife biologist & Founder of Salmon Protection & Watershed Network (SPAWN)
Please sign up for this field trip on Meetup. Registration Link: (to be provided)
Please sign the CNPS waiver for 2026: CNPS Marin 2026 Waiver
When the first hard rains hit the ground, streams swell and Coho salmon begin their spectacular homeward migration. Participants of this creek walk will witness a tradition that goes back thousands of years, as these fish swim hundreds of miles from their ocean feeding grounds to return to their birthplace and continue the survival of their species. As we watch for spawning Coho and river otters, we will ponder the plight of our endangered Coho salmon and discuss their ancient connection to our iconic coast redwoods and the riparian plant community. We will drink in the moist forest atmosphere and admire the redwood specialist plant community that thrives there.
Please dress in warm layers, as it can be cold in the redwoods. We also recommend bringing waterproof jackets or an umbrella, hiking boots, binoculars, and snacks.
The walk will occur even if there will be light rain on January 3d. But if a heavy rain is forecast, check the Meetup site to find out if the walk will occur. In the event of a strong storm, the walk will take place on the following Sunday, January 10.
The tour will meet at the parking lot for the group picnic site on the other side of the creek from the entrance kiosk for Samuel P. Taylor State Park at 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas. There park has an entrance fee of $8 ($7 seniors) or check out a CA State Parks pass from your local library. Marin Transit Bus 68 serves the park.
Bring: Water, a snack/lunch. Dress in layers.
Rain cancels. Check Meetup for notification. Rain date January 10.
Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide - Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
Email Carolyn with any questions.
Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: 415-233-2777
Limit 20

Point Blue Novato Baylands Planting Workday
Friday, January 9, 2026 9:30 am to 12pm
Location: Point Blue Novato Baylands Nursery and wetlands
Leader: Stacey Pogorzelski

Please sign the Waiver for CNPS Marin for 2026

Join Point Blue volunteers in planting native plants along the Bay Trail, a public walking trail in the Hamilton Wetlands. We will be planting in a previously-weeded area, in order to increase native plant diversity and density. We will meet at the Nursery facility (address below) and then drive together to the planting site location. We will provide all the tools and gloves. Please arrive at 9:30 am; we will end the day at 12pm.

Please come prepared for muddy conditions, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, layers for the cold, and rain gear if applicable; bring water and sun protection. We will plant for about 2 hours. Note: Point Blue has a limited supply of rain gear and muck boots.

Novato Baylands, Point Blue Conservation Science
737 Aberdeen Road, Novato CA 94949
38.05984, -122.52652

Aberdeen Rd is accessed through an open gate (just southwest of the Novato Skatepark) from Hamilton Parkway in the Hamilton area of Novato. Aberdeen Road is not marked.

Go through the gate onto Aberdeen Rd (note: 15 mph speed limit), then keep to the right at the fork to proceed to the nursery (ignore signs on left that say Do Not Enter) . The road ends at the nursery.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Apple Maps will not give you correct directions to the site. Please use written directions, Google Maps, or GPS coordinates. Thank you!

Limit 10 attendees. Heavy rain or poor site conditions may cancel. Leader will message via Meetup if the event is canceled.

January General Chapter Meeting
Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Speaker: Roger Raiche, gardener, horticulturist, botanist, and conservationist

The Cedars - An Island on the Land

The Cedars of Sonoma County is one of California’s hotspots for ecological diversity. The geology of serpentine, an ultramafic rock, is characterized by high iron and magnesium content. It formed deep in the Earth’s mantle and surfaced through the subduction process. This “island” of mantle rock is embedded in Sonoma County within the Coast Ranges of Northern California. The Cedars is characterized by its dramatic topography, featuring deep canyons and rich, red-colored rock. Ultrabasic springs (pH > 11) create another layer of geology. These unique conditions have given rise to a rich ecology, including newly discovered microorganisms, insects, and seven endemic plant species.

Author and lecturer, Roger Raiche, is a founding partner of The Cedars Science Program and Planet Horticulture Landscape Design. Roger is renowned for his keen observational skills and encyclopedic knowledge of the California Flora. Roger discovered and published several new species, including three at The Cedars. Three other California plant species have been named in his honor. Roger has facilitated numerous scientific expeditions across a wide range of disciplines.

Roger’s observation skills have been complemented by his decades-long advocacy for the conservation of California native plant habitats. The creation of the BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern ACEC at The Cedars and the permanent conservation of The Main Canyon at The Cedars were decades-long goals achieved. Roger is a California Native Plant Society Fellow. “Becoming a Fellow is the highest recognition CNPS awards its members. These members have accumulated extraordinary accomplishments towards the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of California native plants."

https://www.planethorticulture.com/the-cedars/
https://cnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Fremontia_Vol37-No2.pdf

Join CNPS and Friends to weed the Alder Creek Preserve restoration site in Inverness.
In 2023, the Inverness Association (IA), cleared the site of a large acacia forest. Since then, an enthusiastic group of IA members, neighbors, and SPAWN volunteers have planted a mix of native trees and shrubs and watered them throughout the summer.
Now the focus turns to tackling the weeds: acacia seedlings, poison hemlock, vinca, African veldt grass, and others. We'd love to have your help!
Location: The site is located about a 1/2 mile north of Inverness village, at the corner of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and Vision Rd. For more information, contact Carolyn Longstreth at cklongstreth@gmail.com.
If you have not done so already, please sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026
Bring: gloves, kneeling pads, and your favorite weeding tool.
Late registrants and walk ins are welcome.