El Dorado County and Native Plants

location El Dorado County lies on western slope of the Sierra Nevada, between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Along with some interesting features with gabbro and serpentine soils and the special endemic plants they support, we enjoy the EldoradoIt's one word for the forest,
but two words for the county! National Forest, and a wide variety of destinations, from drought-tolerant foothill chaparral at 2000 ft to subalpine above 9000 ft in the Desolation Wilderness.

We offer field trips during to many areas, and you are invited to attend. You don't need a science background to participate; most of our members are not formally trained botanists, simply people who enjoy learning about our native vegetation. If you want to start learning about native plants and why they need protection, CNPS is for you. Meetings are geared toward local concerns and can be enjoyed by even an absolute beginner. If you're a new county resident, this is a nice way to get familiar with the neighborhood.

The California Native Plant SocietySee what CNPS is about... is a state-wide organization dedicated to protecting the native vegetation that is too often seen as "in the way" when it comes time to build a shopping center! By joining, you will be getting to know the plants and learning their importance; then you too can contribute to the well-being and happiness of the community...

Follow the Example of Willis Jepson...

"A scientific interest in at least certain features of our natural environment, as for example the trees, shrubs or herbaceous plants, directs one to useful and agreeable intellectual activity. Accurate and detailed knowledge of even a small area lifts the possessor out of the commonplace and enables him directly or indirectly to contribute to the well-being and happiness of his community."

-Willis JepsonClick to read about Jepson,
a very interesting man., Trees of California, 1921

Our logo flower is the Pleasant Valley Mariposa, Calochortus clavatus var. avius...a link to Calflora..., a member of the Lily family that was once so common in the Pleasant Valley area of Placerville that people would dig them up for home landscaping. Now they are listed as 1B: Rare, threatened, or Endangered and can only be found in parts of the Eldorado National Forest that you are likely not going to see unless you come on a field trip with the chapter.

Chapter Meetings and Programs

The next public meeting will be 20 March at 6:30 p.m. The first half-hour is for plant identification, workgroups and socializing. The Program will start at 7 p.m.

Danny Slakey, the CNPS Statewide Rare Plant Treasure Hunt Coordinator, will talk about how to set priorities for rare plant surveys by using online resources, and how to use GPS to navigate and accurately map rare plants. Filling in these information gaps can keep plant population information current, as well as help land managers to protect rare plants. He will discuss what other Chapters have been able to contribute toward these goals.

The meeting location is at the El Dorado Public Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville.

Chapter meetings are free and the public is always invited to attend. Meetings usually includes a show-and-tell about a particular plant, any announcements of chapter happenings, and the speaker presentation.

Refreshments are served and you get a chance to mingle and meet interesting new friends.

CNPS Chapter Plant Sales

The chapter plant sales only come along twice a year but they are always popular and sell out fast. They are typically held on the first Saturday in April and October, butthe NEXT one is different:

The Spring Plant Sale will be on April 21st, the day before Earth Day. The sale will be held in the El Dorado Government Center under the breezeway between Buildings A and B. 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Buildings A and B are across the street from the El Dorado County Main Library.

We have grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees suitable for the foothills of El Dorado County, as well as seed packets of native spring annuals, and native plant bulbs. There will also be an extremely diverse offering of books on native plant horticulture, the basics of botany, and field guides for all aspects of natural history.

Board Meetings

Chapter board meetings are held to discuss business items concerning the chapter and its activities. Please note that a decision was made to reduce the number of board meetings to six per year, coinciding with the months of the meetings. Board meetings will be held on the second Mondays in March, May, July, September, and November. Meetings are currently held at the El Dorado County Office of Education at 6767 Green Valley Rd., Placerville. 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 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.

Places for Wheelchair Hiking!

Finding very little information available for forest locations with adequate access for wheelchairs, I thought I'd offer a few suggestions about places I have personally checked and believe worth a visit for those who want to go see wildflowers, birds, or just get a breath of fresh air and enjoy a few hours in a forest. Take a look and let me know if I can add more places, or correct any observations.

Contacts

General questions should be addressed to Rosemary Carey, President, or call 530.620.3631

See the newsletter for a list of Board Members and Committee Chairs. If you find an error on the site, please notify .

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