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From Katie Barrows Our spring calendar is
aimed at providing lots of field trip opportunities to get out and enjoy the
wildflower displays. Autumn and winter storms that have soaked southern
California in recent months are expected to trigger vibrant displays of
wildflowers this spring. Desert plant-watchers say the rainfall could spawn
the best display of colorful flora since 1998, a high-water mark for flower
viewing in recent years. The bloom is already underway. After our January
meeting featuring horticultural tips from Barbara Eisenstein of Rancho Santa
Ana Botanic Gardens, we’ll meet again in February for an update on plants of
Western Riverside County. Then we’ll forego indoor meetings in favor of lots
of field trips. Don’t miss the chance to get out at least once to enjoy what
promises to be a spectacular spring. One of the primary goals of
our chapter is to provide you with resources – information about native
plants, whether to grow or to enjoy in the wild, and native habitats in need
of conservation. One wonderful resource is our chapter website. If you haven’t
visited it lately, go to http://www.enceliacnps.org. You’ll find up to date
listings about meetings, field trips, our newsletter, a wonderful photo
gallery, native plant news, and lots of great information and links to other
native plant websites. We are fortunate to have the great talents of Rolf
Muertter, our webmaster and a great photographer. Make sure you take a look. |
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President’s Message |
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Desert Communities Under Siege: Strategies for protecting our public and private lands from OFF ROAD VEHICLE ABUSE. Join community groups, activists, law enforcement, public
officials, and residents for a conference to address the growing crisis of
irresponsible off-road vehicle use. Presentations, Workshops, Panel with law enforcement and public officials, Strategy sessions. Keynote
Speaker: Dr. Howard Wilshire, respected scientist and co-author of the landmark book: Environmental Effects of Off-Road
Vehicles: Impact and Management in Arid Regions. The Beauty and the Ruin art show will be part of the conference. Dates February
26 and 27, 2005, Saturday
9:00am to 6:00pm & Sunday
9:00am to 12noon. WHERE: Joshua Tree Community Center. Directions: Traveling east on Twentynine Palms Highway (HWY 62) from Joshua Tree, turn left (north) on Sunburst and follow to the
Sunburst Park Community Center on your right. Turn right and continue to the
end of the driveway. This conference is brought
to you by Morongo Basin Conservation Association, Community ORV Watch,
California Wilderness Coalition and The Alliance for Responsible Recreation. Let's protect our private property and our desert. Please register early! For information & submissions, contact: Debora Iyall, email:
dee@iyall.com. For
conference information, or to register, please contact Byron Kahr,
Coordinator, 951-781-1336, fax: 951.781.7841, or byron@calwild.org or www.calwild.org/responsiblerecreation.php SPRING
CHAPTER COUNCIL MEETING AT RANCHO SANTA ANA BOTANIC GARDEN JOIN US! Once again this spring, on Saturday March 5, 2005, CNPS representatives from throughout the state will gather for the
Chapter Council meeting at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont. This
meeting is traditionally co-hosted by the Riverside/San Bernardino and San
Gabriel Mountains chapters of CNPS. That means
us! Volunteers are needed! The meeting provides a
wonderful opportunity for CNPS chapters to share ideas on education,
conservation, chapter outreach and other issues, as well as discuss statewide
native plant topics. The all-day meeting is open to all CNPS members. We will
also have field trips on Sunday to some special botanical places. Volunteers
are needed to help set up morning refreshments, set up and clean up at lunch,
and serve at the evening reception before dinner; we’ll need a few bartenders
to serve wine and beer on the patio. Dinner will be catered with a special
evening program so volunteering has its benefits. If you can help, please contact Katie
Barrows (760-564-2413, kate.cnb@verizon.net) or Lorrae Fuentes (909-625-8767 x 243, lorrae.fuentes@cgu.edu) INVASIVE
SPECIES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. If you would like to help
with invasive species control in the desert, your help is needed. One project
will involve removing non-native mustard (Brassica tournefortii) on experimental plots on the Coachella Valley Preserve; tentative dates
are the first week in February. Other projects that are still being scheduled
would involved removing tamarisk. Please contact Katie Barrows for dates and details at (760)
564-2413 or kate.cnb@verizon.net. |
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Opportunities for Participation |