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California nati8ve Plant Society, San Diego Chapter

Mission
The California Native Plant Society is a statewide nonprofit organization seeking to increase understanding and appreciation of California's native plants and to preserve them in their natural habitat through scientific activities, education, conservation, and restoration.

The San Diego Chapter serves San Diego and Imperial counties. We invite you to come to our meetings and field trips, learn more about the flora of our state, and meet people who share your interest in native plants. To sign up for the CNPS-San Diego email discussion list, send a message to info@cnpssd.org. 

History
The San Diego chapter of CNPS was chartered in 1967 with 15 members. By 1972 the chapter had doubled in size and focused on studying and protecting San Diego's unique native plants which were threatened by ever increasing development. After intense debate over the relative merits of the Campo Pea and other unique local taxa to capture the essence of CNPS in San Diego, the showy matilija poppy was chosen as chapter logo.

From the beginning, the chapter has concentrated on a variety of aspects of native plants, from growing them in gardens, to photographing them, to hiking around the county to look for new and rare occurrences. Our goal has always been to promote their preservation through botanical studies and conservation efforts, and educate the public about native plants through programs, plant sales, and exhibits.

Chapter conservation efforts include surveying plant communities, removing exotic plants from natural areas, and reviewing CEQA and other documents for impacts to native vegetation. Scientific data collected during chapter projects is sent to statewide data bases that track occurrence and distribution of rare plants, plant communities, and invasive exotics.

Our monthly meetings include slide shows and lectures related to the flora of San Diego County and beyond. Topics range from the use of native plants in gardens to the conservation and management of rare and endangered plants and habitats.

Over the years our membership has steadily grown to over 700 families and individuals. We mail newsletters to members all over California, in 12 other states, and Canada. Increased appreciation of the beauty and usefulness of our native vegetation has been joined by a recognition of the vital role of natural areas in preserving the quality of life and the delicate balance necessary for a healthy ecosystem.

Projects

CNPS volunteers can present slide programs to groups of ten or more viewers. The programs run around one hour including time for questions.

• "San Diego's Native Plant Landscapes -- Designing Places with Native Plants" -- a good choice for a homeowners association or garden club interested in saving or replanting native plants.
• "A Sense of Place -- Native Plant Habitats of San Diego County." -- excellent for a scout troop working on an environmental badge or a hiking group wanting to learn more about the natural environment of San Diego County.

Our local chapter has a library of reference books available to members. A list of titles is available for download.

CNPS has resources for teachers at various levels including: coloring books drawn from the Society's beautiful full-color botanical posters for early learners; school gardening information, including a new book titled Southern California Native Plants for School Gardens plus many other horticultural guides; a network of San Diego County area teachers who have integrated native plants into their instructional programs and can help other teachers; curricula designed for various secondary level science programs; and several data bases and software products. Native plants in their natural settings or in a garden are fascinating to study from the point of view of systematic botany, plant physiology, horticulture, plant and animal communities, climate and biota, and the relationship of man to the rest of the living world under our stewardship. Teachers can help students grow up to appreciate and conserve the diverse and irreplaceable natural plant resources of San Diego, and CNPS wants to help.

Starting a School Garden -- Why, where to begin, and how to find out more.

Volunteer Opportunities

HOSPITALITY:

• Assists with the refreshments for our monthly meetings and/or plant sales. Welcomes members to the meeting and answers general questions at the meetings
• Helps set up and clean up the meeting room

PUBLIC OUTREACH: We attend many environmental fairs and garden events throughout the year and around San Diego County.  We are always in need of extra volunteers to staff our booths at these events and interact with the general public.  SALES TABLE:  At our monthly meetings and plant sale we sell books to raise money for our chapter.  We always need help at our sales table.  Duties include:  Take books, brochures, and other materials out of lockers and set up sales tables at each meeting. 

 PLANT SALE: (We sponsor two plant sales per year, one in October at Balboa Park and one in March at Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano)

• Ordering plants Growing plants for the plant sale Help the week before the plant sale, tagging plants or delivering plants Administrative assistance (needed year-round) Help setting up morning of the plant sale
• Help clean-up after the plant sale

 CONSERVATION:  We review development projects throughout San Diego County to ensure that environmental rules and egulations concerning native plant habitats are followed.  We have a team of volunteers that works to review environmental documents (such as EIRs and EISs), write comment letters,  attend public hearings, or meet with public officials and resource managers.VEGETATION SURVEYS:Lexine Schroeder (Vegetation Committee Chairperson) is looking for a co-chairperson to help coordinate and publicize surveying events, as well as surveyors and volunteers to help with smaller tasks each month.

Anyone who would like to help survey is welcome to attend; theonly prerequisites are an interest in preserving native habitat, attention to detail, and a patient attitude, as the surveys are quite detailed.  If you have not done Rapid Assessment before, training will be provided on-site.  You will be able to work with more experienced surveyors to see how the survey is done.