Bloom Kaboom: It's Native Plant Week

Native Plant Week is April 15-23 and after this years epic rain storms in the Bay Area our wildflower payback has finally arrived. Every where you go it's a feast for the eyes and nose. Time to head out and embrace our glorious spring.

Wildflower Walk at Lands End, Saturday, April 15, 10:00 - 12:00 p.m., Wildflowers! To know them is to love them. It’s springtime, and all throughout California the wildflowers are beginning to bloom, including in your very own Golden Gate National Parks. We invite you to come and enjoy the huge variety of both native and exotics on display and prepare to be wowed by the range of colors, shapes, and scents!

Field Trip to Mt. Hamilton, Saturday, April 15, 8:00 a.m. All are welcome but as this is an all day event it may be too long for children. Easy walking. Carpool meeting location: Manzanita Park and Ride, Sausalito. Preregistration required. Contact Susan Schlosser at scschlosser52@gmail.com, or cell phone: 707-834-6525. We will carpool to the site.

Talk: Spring Wildflowers of Marin, Saturday, April 15, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Program is free, family-oriented, and open to the general public. Expert Doreen Smith will give a presentation about native plants and wildflowers in and around China Camp State Park.   

Volunteer: Invasive Plant Patrol, Wednesday, April 19, 10:00-2:30 p.m. Invasive Plant Patrol volunteers find new invasions of exotics and remove localized infestations before they get out of control. This program is great for those that love to hike in the park and want to get to know new trail systems. You'll learn to identify plants, both native and invasive while enjoying scenic landscapes. Hikes last approximately 4 hours. Locations vary from the Marin Headlands to Bolinas Ridge.

Volunteer: Third Thursday Weeders, Thursday, April 20, 9:30-12:00 p.m. Help remove invasive and noxious weeds that crowd out our native beauties while enjoying the salt air. To sign up and receive notification of upcoming meeting places, please send an email to Ellen Hamingson. 

Field trip to Soulajule Reservoir, Jewels & Ghouls, Thursday, April 20, 10:00-2:30 p.m. Soulajule Reservoir is a little known gem in northern Marin County. We'll hike around the far side of the reservoir to look for rare plants. This area is a lovely mixed forest with a mostly intact understory. Indian paintbrush species abound and Western pond turtles make a splash as well. RSVP is required for carpooling as space is limited.  415-945-1128 or volunteerprogram@marinwater.org.

Volunteer: Alcatraz Historic Gardens, Friday, April 21, 8:00-12:00 p.m. Help restore the historic gardens of Alcatraz. Through the project, volunteers will be introduced to the stories of the gardens and have the opportunity to visit some areas not accessible to the public. As an added bonus, garden volunteers arrive on Alcatraz before other visitors, so you can experience the island during the most tranquil time of day.

Volunteer: Celebrate Earth Day at Samuel P. Taylor Park, Saturday, April 22, 9:30–1:00 p.m., Explore along the creek, go on guided naturalist walks, help weed trails and join us for a picnic.  All ages welcome.  

Art at Sunset: Family Night Hike and Campfire, Saturday, April 22, 6–8:30 p.m. Create sunset-inspired works of art! You and your family will hike to a beautiful vista and make gorgeous, two-dimensional art pieces to remember your evening. NatureBridge will provide the art supplies. Recommended for kids in grades 3 - 6.

Volunteer: The Russians Are Coming! Wildflowers abloom! Sunday, April 23, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. How did fear of the Russians shape Sweeney Ridge? Find out as you hike with one of the most knowledgeable guides in town.