California Native Plant Society - Orange County

Chapter Meeting: May 2013

administrator

The Fullerton Arboretum's Meadow-More than just Grass

Date: May 16, 2013
THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE ARBORETUM.
If possible, meet at 6 PM for a guided walk in the native
gardens. Speaker inside at 7:30 PM.
Speaker: Chris Barnhill

The newest landscape feature at the Fullerton arboretum is the native meadow (or grassland) and what a beauty it is! Yes, the main feature in the garden are the grasses of various sizes, textures, and colors, but it also hosts an extensive collection of beautiful perennials and bulbs. This garden is interesting and colorful almost all year long. If you have been considering replacing a conventional lawn area with something native and "meadowish", this talk is a must.

Chris can tell us which plants are good garden companions and which are bullies, and which are just stellar performers! He will also acquaint us with how one might go about selecting which plant one would want in their meadow and some of the challenges to overcome.

Chris Barnhill has been with the Fullerton Arboretum for over 12 years as the Curator of the Living Collections, where he has spearheaded the effort to create both the Channel Islands and Mohave Gardens. He has worked at Botanic Gardens in both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Denver, Colorado, and at nurseries in New Mexico and California. He was the photographer for two full length books on two interesting genera of plants from South Africa: One of the species, Conophytum chrisocruxum, was named for him.

Chris spends much of his free time traipsing around southern California, photographing and frolicking in this fantastic botanically diverse region we call home. He also enjoys his family and a steady supply of classical music and George Harrison recordings.

Rare Vegetation Sampling/Mapping Workshop

Ron Vanderhoff

CNPS Chapter-Based Rare Vegetation
Sampling/Mapping Workshop

Saddle Creek North, Orange County
June 8-9, 2013

The CNPS Vegetation Program is conducting a field-based sampling/mapping workshop in Orange County at the Saddle Creek North property, which is managed by the Conservation Fund. This property is located near the intersection of Santiago Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road (near “Cook’s Corner”).

Conservation Report: March/April 2013

Celia Kutcher

NEW LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN PROPOSED FOR SO CAL NATIONAL FORESTS

The US Forest Service (FS) has issued a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the proposed Southern California National Forests Land Management Plan Amendment. The Amendment is for the Land Use Management Plans (LMPs) of the four southern California National Forests: Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino--a.k.a. the Four Forests.

The DSEIS describes three alternative land use zonings for what are now designated as Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs). Two of the zonings would be more restrictive of public use,

Alternative 1- No Action (existing status continued).

No changes to current land use zones or to current management direction.
No change in allowable vegetation management activities; allows vegetation removal for roads, trails and fuelbreaks, and hazardous fuels modifications and fire suppression activities that would modify stand structure and species composition.

Alternative 2- Proposed Action (the FS’ Preferred Alternative).

More/bigger non-motorized and Recommended Wilderness zones.
Fewer/smaller zones for motorized uses, especially motorized hence more protective of natural value recreational use.
Fuels modifications and fire suppression activities and their effects would be the same as those in Alternative 1.
No change in Existing Wilderness zones.
No construction of new roads.

Native Gardener's Corner: March/April 2013

Dan Songster

Native Gardener’s Corner—Members’ Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

This column is a regular newsletter feature offering chapter members and local experts a chance to briefly share information on many things related to gardening with natives.

This Issue's question was "What edible native plant are you most likely to grow & why?"

Answers listed in order received.

Laura Camp - "OC natives Woolly Blue Curls (Trichostema lanatum) and San Miguel Savory (Clinopodium or Satureja chandleri) - both the flowers and leaves are great tea ingredients either fresh or dried: one floral, the other minty."

Orchid Black -"Rubus ursinus - Blackberry! Fruit for me and the birds. Ribes aureum, it's tasty, too, if small. Oaks, for the more adventurous."

Mark Sugars -"Fragaria vesca, Woodland Strawberry. It's hardy, dependable, and evergreen; it forms a dense ground cover and grows in all soils; and it produces scads of "berries" (yes, I know, accessory fruits)—small, but jam-packed with flavor."

Gene Ratcliffe -"I have the native grape hybrid 'Roger's Red', which makes wonderful jelly or juice, and if I don't harvest the grapes the birds love them as well."

2013 Field Trips

Ron Vanderhoff

Below is a list of field trips being planned for 2013.

Most field trips are free and most are open to all, but read the trip outlines for parking/entrance fees or pass requirements and be sure they fit your physical abilities. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, appropriate trail shoes, a camera, a notepad and lots of enthusiasm.

Trips change. Always check www.occnps.org/explore for more current information. Rain cancels – check the website after 7 pm the evening before the trip for final weather and trip updates. (rvanderhoff@sbcglobal.net)