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THE REDBUD CHAPTER OF NEVADA AND PLACER COUNTIES

Placer and Nevada Counties are located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Although these two counties represent only 1.5% of the land mass of California, 35% of its vascular plants are found here. Our native plants grace the landscape in habitats from the Sacramento valley grasslands, through the foothills, and into the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This land area represents a large variation in elevation, rainfall, and temperature. The snowmelt from the rugged peaks feeds into the Yuba, Bear, American and Rubicon Rivers with water to support the more populous areas of the state. 

Upcoming Chapter Presentations and Events

Wildflower Field Trip......see Field Trips

 

Art in the Garden Party
Saturday, June 1, 2013

   Plan to come and join us on Saturday, June 1, 2013, from 10AM to 4PM in the 1-acre native plant garden at Brad Carter and Fred Hodgson’s home in Grass Valley for a new event called Art in the Garden Party. This all-day garden party is free to the public and features food and drink, numerous artists selling outdoor garden art, tours of the garden, sustainable gardening talks and more.

   Sierra Streams Institute, which recently received a $2,500 grant from Redbud Chapter to launch a new native plant/nature journaling program in Nevada County schools, will be a sponsor of this event and receive 20% of the art sale revenue as a donation. “We are just thrilled that Brad and Fred are creating this new event that not only helps local folks learn about river-friendly, sustainable gardening, but also will contribute financially to Sierra Streams Institute, says Joanne Hild, Executive Director of Sierra Streams Institute.

   Carter and Hodgson have been developing this garden for ten years. There is extensive rockwork throughout the garden and numerous large ceramic sculpture installations. “I have always thought of this garden as a habitat garden for wildlife, especially birds, insects and reptiles,” says Carter. “But it is also an outdoor art gallery of sorts, which I hope to fill up with my own ceramic sculpture over time.”

   The garden, which is landscaped with California native plants, usually reaches peak bloom in late May. “We use it a lot during May and June for entertaining friends and for hosting a couple of events that we have started, including Art for Life, which raises money to assist people by HIV/AIDS in Nevada County,” says Hodgson.

   “Now we adding another event,” says Carter. “Sometimes this feels like a real stretch, but I’m out there weeding and grooming the garden January-April anyway. And it really looks spectacular for a couple months. Then it goes into summer dormancy. So we like to use it as much as possible during May and June. The good news,” says Carter with a laugh, “is that because it is not irrigated and completely drought-tolerant, I just walk away in July and do other fun things during summer, and usually don’t come back to the garden again until January.”

  For more information on this event contact Fred Hodgson at 272-8900 or fwhodgson@aol.com, or visit the Sierra Streams Institute website www. sierra streamsinstitute.org.

 

Fact Sheet for California Naturalist Program at
Sagehen Creek Field Station 

What: California Naturalist Program Courses

Who: Sagehen Creek Field Station; Truckee, CA

When:  Two Courses:
           
Ten-Week Course: Friday evenings from 6:30-9 pm, June 7- August 10 with field trips on three Saturdays following the Friday night presentation (lodging available)

One-Week Residential Course: June 8-14 (Lodging and Meals included)

Where:  Sagehen Creek UC Field Station; Truckee, CA

Why:

1. Become certified as a California Naturalist, completing 40+ hours in class and field
2. Access community involvement opportunities in restoration, outreach and research
3. Fill in gaps in your knowledge

Detailed Description: 
California Naturalist is a UC Extension Program designed to foster a diverse community of naturalists and promote stewardship of California’s Natural Resources through education and service.

The course consists of a series of interactive presentations by regional professionals and experts in the fields of: Water Resources; Plants; Geology, Soils and Climate; Forest and Woodland Resources; Wildlife; Energy and Global Environmental Challenges; Interpretation, Communication and Citizen Science, and much more.  Field trips expand on and provide first-hand experience with these topics on the ground in Sagehen Creek’s incredibly diverse and beautiful landscape.

 

The Fascinating World of Lichens
by Pam Kirkbride, Naturalist

June 26 (Wednesday), 7:30 PM
Madelyn Helling Library,
Community Room, Nevada City

   Lichens are Lilliputian-sized elements in our environment that are often overlooked because they are seemingly insignificant when compared to our native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. But these small beings play a very important role in nature. Whether your interest is in studying birds, mammals, insects, soils, people, chemistry, environmental issues, arts or medicine, you’ll find lichens in the mix. When studied under magnification, they reveal a special beauty notseen with the naked eye. The talk will give an overview of lichen habitats, evolution, morphology, reproduction, ecology and identification. Pam will introduce us to ten common species of lichens, found locally, that are easy to recognize. A variety of lichens will be available to allow you a handson experience. Pam will also discuss how to start exploring the world of lichens and share her library of reference guides.
    Pam Kirkbride is a self-taught naturalist specializing in native plant botany and lichenology. She has been a member of CNPS for over 30 years, acting as a docent for Jepson Prairie Preserve and Mather Field. She has taught native wildflower classes and has led and participated in dozens of field trips throughout California.

 

Stay in Touch
Join our free Yahoo group to receive email notification about wildflower hikes, workshops, plant sales, meetings and more. Everyone is welcome to join this free service, including non-members. (If you can't click on the link provided below, copy and paste it into your browser.)
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/RedbudChapter/

 

Events

We normally hold two Native Plant Sales a year. The spring sale is held at Sierra College in Rocklin, and the September sale is in Grass Valley.

• Our Field Trips are held mostly in the spring--see newsletter for more information.
• Chapter meetings are held six times a year, generally in February, March, May, July, October and November. Meetings alternate between Nevada and Placer counties. See the current newsletter for meeting information.

Our usual meeting places are:

• Nevada County Library
  980 Helling Way, Nevada City
  At the intersection of Hwy 49 and Hwy 20 in Nevada City, turn west toward Downieville on Hwy 49. Drive approximately 1 mile, turning right at the Nevada County Government Office Buildings complex. Bear to the right to reach the library.
• Auburn Civic Center
  1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA
  From Highway 49 in Auburn, just after 49 passes under I-80, there is a T intersection.  Continue straight ahead at the intersection to the Civic Center. The building looks like an old school (which it is).  Go to the large parking lot behind the building and look for the Rose Room sign.