California Native Plant Society -- Marin Chapter Meetup

“Discovering the Mysterious Vaux's Swift”
Every September in the Bay Area, something remarkable happens above old chimneys along the Pacific Coast. Thousands of small, dark birds materialize at dusk, circling in tightening vortices, before funneling en masse into a chimney to rest for the night. These birds are Vaux's Swifts (Chaetura vauxi, Vaux’s rhymes with foxes), the smallest species of chimney swift in North America, and native only to the Pacific Coast of Northern and Central America and Mexico.
Old, unlined chimneys are the last stand-ins for their dwindling old-growth forest habitat, and we are fortunate to have two significant chimney roosting sites right here in the North Bay.
Star Justus and Jennie Pakradooni, monitors at these sites, will join us to discuss these fascinating old-growth endemic birds and the nuances around each of these roosting sites.
Read more.
Register for this Zoom meeting here.

A book related to this event is I Sing to the Earth and She Sings Back - Tending the Wild, by Kat Anderson. Check it out.

The short, approximately 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the garden has a slight upward grade. The garden trail is flat. Both the path to the garden and the garden trail are accessible routes. If you are not comfortable sitting on the ground (or standing) for the presentation, please consider bringing a small, portable chair.

Directions: From either north or south on Highway 101, take the Atherton/ San Marin exit and proceed west and then turn right (north) onto Redwood Boulevard which is the first street west of the freeway. The entrance to Olompali State Historic Park is at the north end of Redwood Boulevard. Address: Olompali State Historic Park 8901 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945 The Ethnobotanical Garden at Olompali State Historic Park is located next to the park’s recreated Coast Miwok cultural village. The path to the garden starts at the porta-potties in the parking lot. Take this path beyond the buildings to the garden on left side of the path. Parking: Parking at Olompali State Historic Park costs $8 per vehicle. There is one main, large parking lot located inside the park gates at the end of Redwood Boulevard. Payment methods for parking: Cash or check (via the self-pay yellow fee tube at the west end of the lot) or via smartphone using the posted QR code (includes a $0.55 service fee). The following passes are accepted: Golden Bear Pass, Senior Golden Bear Pass, and California State Library Parks Pass.

Bring: Water, a snack/lunch. Dress in layers. Rain cancels. Check Meetup for notification.

Waiver: If you have not done so already, please sign the CNPS Marin2026 Waiver

Practice clean trail etiquette: Pocket Guide - Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers

Email Clint Kellner Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: (415) 895-8591

Join a group of enthusiastic volunteers for our monthly Tuesday morning at the Marin County Parks and Open Space District Nursery. Each month we help maintain the native plants that will be used in restoration projects across Marin, from intertidal marsh wetlands to redwood forest. No prior nursery experience is required; Nursery Manager Aja Wylder will demonstrate nursery methods, including pruning, potting seedlings, transplanting plants into larger pots, pot washing, and working in the native plant garden.

Volunteers should wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Please bring sun protection and a water bottle. Gloves and tools will be provided.

Limit: 14 Attendees

Heavy rain cancels, cancellation will be posted on Meetup.

Directions to the Marin County Native Plant Nursery:
From the south, drive north on Highway 101 to the San Pedro Rd. exit. Take the San Pedro Rd. exit and stay to the right. At the light, turn left onto Civic Center Drive. Turn right onto Matthew Hymel Drive, just before the Lagoon Park. This looks like a big parking lot, but you’re in the right spot. Follow the road to the end of the parking lot and park. There is a gate in the fence on the north, walk through the gate and the nursery will be on your right.

From the north, drive south on Highway 101 to the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway exit. Turn left onto Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy and follow it over the highway, then go left to stay on the Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy and make an immediate right onto Civic Center Drive. Follow Civic Center Drive past the Lagoon Park and then turn left onto Matthew Hymel Drive, just after Lagoon Park. This will look like a big parking lot. Follow the road to the end of the parking lot and park. There is a gate in the fence on the north, walk through the gate and the nursery will be on your right.

Transit: The Nursery is accessible by a short walk or bike ride from the Civic Center SMART station and Marin Transit buses #35 and #49.

Please:

• Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026, if you have not done so already.
• Email marinCNPSvolunteers@gmail.com with questions.
• Sorry, no dogs at the nursery.

Join CNPS and Friends to weed the Alder Creek Preserve restoration site in Inverness.
In 2023, the Inverness Association (IA), cleared the site of a large acacia forest. Since then, an enthusiastic group of IA members, neighbors, and SPAWN volunteers have planted a mix of native trees and shrubs and watered them throughout the summer.
Now the focus turns to tackling the weeds: acacia seedlings, poison hemlock, vinca, African veldt grass, and others. We'd love to have your help!
Location: The site is located about a 1/2 mile north of Inverness village, at the corner of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and Vision Rd. For more information, contact Carolyn Longstreth at cklongstreth@gmail.com.
If you have not done so already, please sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026
Bring: gloves, kneeling pads, and your favorite weeding tool.
Late registrants and walk ins are welcome.