Calendar

CALENDAR 

Evening programs are free, public programs on the second Wednesday of each month, September through May, normally at the Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Rd., Arcata. Refreshments at 7:00 p.m.; program at 7:30 p.m.  In deference to COVID programs through May, 2021, are scheduled to be Zoom webinars.  Find the link to register for them on the home page of this website each month as the date approaches.

Outings, when they are not prohibited by COVID protocols, are open to everyone, not just members. All levels of expertise, from beginners to experienced botanizers, are welcome. Address questions about physical requirements to the leader. It is wise to contact the leader before the trip, in case plans change.
 

April --all of it.  ArtShare April, the art prelude to the Wildflower Show.  See the Wildflower Show tab on this webpage. Little Free Wildflower Art Galleries, Facebook and Instagram sharing, art inspirations, and Friday Zoom art demonstrations.   REGISTER HERE
Apr. 2, 7 p.m. Zoom art demo. "How to See a Wildflower" with Annie Reid, sketching on her iPad
Apr. 9, 7 p.m. Zoom art demo. "Pen and Watercolor fun with Flowers" with Patricia Sennott
Apr. 16, 7 p.m. Zoom art demo. "Walk in Beauty" with Rick Tolley, demonstration and pictures from his spring hikes up the north fork of the Mad River.
Apr. 23, 7 p.m. Zoom art demo. "Silkscapes" with Amanita Mollier, sharing her silkpainting process and stories of how she finds her wildflower scenes.

.

April 14, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.   Zoom evening program: "Putting the Forest back in Forestry.” "Forestry" has become a term for the art of managing complex forest ecosystems solely for commodities--timber and fiber. Other outputs and services, like water, wildlife, and native plants, are treated as constraints to that management. The resulting regulatory environment is rigid, with perverse incentives. At van Eck Forest in McKinleyville, the Pacific Forest Trust has pioneered ways to pay for vital forest outputs like water, habitat, and climate while also reducing regulatory burdens.  Laurie Wayburn, the dynamic executive director of the Trust, will show what this new kind of managed forest looks like, compared to "standard" industrial timber harvest, and explain the central role of managed forests in combating climate change.

Apr. 17, Saturday.  Spring Wildflower Show. The all new, covid-safe Wildflower Show opens the first of its iNaturalist projects.  See the Wildflower Show page of this website.https://northcoastcnps.org/index.php/wildflower-show-2021/wildflower-show-2021

April 18, Sunday. Horse Mountain Day Trip.  We will flower-spot along Titlow Hill Rd. (off Highway 299) on our way up to 4,000+ ft. elevation, where we will check what's blooming at as many sites as we can pack into the day, including Lookout Rock, Indian Butte Rd, and Cold Spring, all in Six Rivers National Forest.  Small groups, face coverings, and social distancing observed.  Register with Carol at 707-822-2015 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn details.

Apr. 25-May 2, Sat.-Sun. 7:00 p.m. daily. Spring Wildflower Show via Zoom Yes, 9 days of wildflower fun, including exceptional speakers on serpentine soils and plants. Flowers are added to the show on iNaturalist through April 30. Find the links at the Wildflower Show headquarters: https://northcoastcnps.org/index.php/wildflower-show-2021/wildflower-show-2021

• April 24, Saturday, "A Story of Rock in Green and Orange" with geologist Mark Bailey, who tells what are "serpentine soils" and where do we find them?
• April 25, Sunday. "Serpentine Plant-Soil Relations: A World View" with Nishanta Rajakaruna, botanist of inhospitable soils at the Geoecology Lab at California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), giving an overview of what we know about serpentine plants from here and away.
• April 26, Monday. Wildflower Fun
• April 27, Tuesday. "Serpentine Botanical Wonders" with energetic field botanist and author Dana York
• April 28, Wednesday. "Our Amazingly Diverse Heath Family (Ericaceae)" with HSU Herbarium Collections Manager Robin Bencie
• April 29, Thursday. "The HSU Herbarium and You: Using the Database and Getting Involved" with HSU Herbarium Collections Manager Robin Bencie
• April 30, Friday. Wildflower Fun
• May 1, "Serpentine Treasure in Six Rivers National Forest" with U. S. Forest Service Botanist John McRae
• May 2, Sunday. Wildflower Fun and show wrap-up

May 1-2, Saturday-Sunday.   Spring Native Plant Sale.  In-person shopping by appointment, with masks and distancing.  Make an appointment at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054da5a823a2f94-cnps2

 May 12, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Zoom evening program. "Serpentine Ecology: Wacky soils build glorious places." Botanist and stewardship director Kristi Mergenthaler will describe the geology and ecology of the exquisite landscapes, red rocks, and rare plants that are found where Earth's mantle rocks are at the surface.  We are lucky to have the "wacky," mantle-derived soils (serpentine/ultramafic) in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains.  Kristi will highlight some of the special places and plants in the southwest Oregon part of these mountains.  She works with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and volunteers with the Siskiyou Chapter Native Plant Society of Oregon.  Find the link on the home page of this website.

May 14-17, Friday-Monday. North Fork Smith Overnight Field Trip.  Extraordinary botanizing in the serpentine mountains at the edge of the North Fork Smith River Botanical Area of Six Rivers National Forest awaits us.  Our base camp will be at a rustic, off-the-grid,VRBO cabin 3 hrs from Eureka, with lots of room for tents.  Group size may be limited for overnighting.  Day trip option is possible.  Register with Carol at 707-822-2015 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.    

June 27, Sunday. Canoe Fire Field Trip.  Seventeen years after the Canoe Fire burned through part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park, what does it look like?  Retired park ecologist Steve Underwood will show us how things have changed and how remained the same.  We will hike several miles both on and off trail as we look at the fire impacts utilizing photos taken before, during, and after the fire.  He will share the results of measurements made over the years documenting a fire's long-lasting impact on the forest.  Along the way we will see many favorite understory plants, like Bleeding Heart, Queen's Cup, and Douglas Iris.   Register with Carol at 707-822-2015 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.