Look! A New FREE homeowner Consultation Service
The Chapter now offers a new FREE homeowner consultation service for members. It's called the Sierra Nevada Yard and Garden Program on Native Plant and Water-Wise Gardening where homeowners can get site-specific help with sustainable plantings and related concerns. Read more about it...
CHAPTER MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS
The monthly programs are held on the third Tuesday of each month (except for August and December). Programs begin at 7pm at the Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville. Our chapter meetings are free and the public is invited to attend. Each meeting includes a show-and-tell about a particular plant, an announcement of chapter happenings, and the speaker presentation. Books will be available for purchase at the meeting.
July 21, 7:00 pm
Change of location: Eldorado National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, 100 Forni Road (actually turn onto Briw Road at Midas), Large Conference Room in back of building.
Georgetown Trails
by Tom Petersen
August – no meeting
The public is welcome to join us at the Placerville County Public Library, 345 Fair Lane. For more information, download the latest newsletter.
Plan Now for a Trip to the Eastern Sierra
The Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (in Bishop) will host its second Sierra Summer Sojourn, a weekend of field trips, programs and conversation on July 17-19, at White Mountain Research Station Crooked Creek facility. A choice of four field trips on Saturday and on Sunday focusing on native blooms, bristlecones, butterflies, and alpine ecology will be offered, along with two evening programs on alpine ecology and the bristlecones. There is an option to spend one or two nights at the Crooked Creek facility, located in the bristlecones at 10,200 ft. More information about the weekend and a registration form can be found on the Bristlecone Chapter website (or just click here to download the PDF registration packet; it's easier than finding their link!). Please join us for a fun- and flower-filled weekend. Early registration is advised.
(Note: If I may add my own endoresment: I decided to attend this event several years ago and had so much fun that I went back for a few more. It isn't cheap but it sure is worth the cost. There are trips either into the Sierra or off into the White Mountains, led by people who really know their stuff; you simply couldn't be disappointed. And may I add that the catered meals were excellent! If you have never been to Bishop to enjoy the area, you really need to find out what you’ve been missing. Even the drive over (about four hours or so) is beautiful. – Steve)
CHAPTER BOARD MEETINGS
Chapter board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month (except for July and December) at 6:30 PM to discuss business items concerning the chapter and its activities. Meetings are currently held at the El Dorado County Office of Education at 6767 Green Valley Rd., Placerville, CA. The meeting rooms are in the B complex (opposite the main office behind the flag pole) and usually occur in B-1 or B-3 at 6:30 pm. Please check the website or call a board member to confirm the meeting place. All members are welcome to attend. Copies of the minutes from board meetings are available at the regular chapter meetings or you can request a copy from a member of the board.
Propagation Group
The El Dorado Chapter has started a propagation group. We usually meet every other week at the U. S. Forest Service - Institute of Forest Genetics at 2480 Carson Rd., Placerville (past Abel's acres) on Thursday morning. When driving into the facility, park at the round-about (flag pole) and check into the office to get a badge. Activities vary based on seed and cutting availability.
For information about when the group will meet again or if you are interested in participating, please contact Cindy Podsiadlo at 642-0648 or by email.
PLANT SALES
Chapter plant sales are held twice yearly, usually the first Saturday of April and October.
The next sale is Oct. 3.
2008 Clark Youth Fund Grant Recipients
by Rosemary Carey, Coordinator, Clark Youth Fund Grants
The Clark Youth Fund has just concluded its eleventh year of funding the study, conservation and exploration of California's native plants by the teachers and students of western El Dorado County. Money for the Clark Youth Fund comes from the profits of our bi-annual plant sales, now an established community event in Placerville.
Since its inception in 1997 the average award has increased substantially and the Chapter is now able to fund significantly more ambitious projects. This year awards went to two recipients to continue their restoration and revegetation efforts:
- Ryan Wimmer, Ponderosa High School, Shingle Springs.
$250 granted for continued restoration and revegetation of the slope east of the football field using Ponderosa pine seedlings grown by Ryan Wimmer. - Todd Gillihan, Sly Park Environmental Education Center, Pollock Pines.
$250 granted for continued restoration and revegetation, using native plants of a compacted 1-acre site.
CNPS MEMBERSHIP
Ready To Join CNPS? Go to the state website and either join online or print the membership form and mail it in. Be sure to specify your chapter affiliation as El Dorado. Once you join, it may take as long as 3 to 4 weeks for you to receive your first mailing.
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