About us
Want to learn more about Marin native plants? Join us for field trips, lectures, and work parties. Most of our events are free to our members and to the public. For more information, check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter.
For over 50 years, we have been dedicated to the conservation of California native plants and their natural habitats, and to increasing the understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. Annual membership donations to the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) support our programs and conservation work. Additional benefits include our quarterly magazine Flora, our twice-yearly scientific journal Artemisia, and discounts at local nurseries.
Please:
- New: CNPS Marin Waiver for 2026
- Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2025, if you have not done so already.
- Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
- Treat everyone with respect.
- No dogs at these events.
Upcoming events
9
Mt. Burdell Habitat Restoration Work Party!
Mt. Burdell, 488 San Carlos Way, Novato, CA, USMt. Burdell Habitat Restoration Work Party!
Saturday, October 3, 9am-11am
Leader: Greg Reza, Marin County Parks and Open Space District Volunteer Program Coordinator
Marin CNPS Coordinators: Stacey Pogorzelski and Caroline Christman
Location: Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve, NovatoJoin a community of habitat restorers! Marin CNPS is partnering with Marin County Open Space District staff to remove invasive species and improve native habitat at Mt. Burdell. Located at the northern edge of Novato, Mt. Burdell has serpentine grasslands with rare plants, an incredible array of oaks, and seasonal streams that support milkweed- the critical host for Monarch butterflies.
During volunteer workdays we use hand tools to remove invasive plant species that threaten grassland and stream corridor ecosystems, including Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), and yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Invasive species can create dense populations that crowd out native plants, which in turns harms the wildlife that depend on them. Removing invasive plants protects habitat for milkweed and other pollinator plants, diverse wildflowers in the grasslands, and the many birds and insects that rely on native plants.
Marin County staff will provide tools and great snacks. Bring a reusable water bottle, sun and wind protection, long pants, sturdy close-toed shoes, and work/garden gloves (gloves provided if you don’t have them).
Heavy rain cancels, cancellations will be posted on Meetup.
Directions: Meet at the San Carlos Way entrance to Mt. Burdell OSP, north of San Marin Drive. Use 488 San Carlos Way for mapping. The work area is a short walk from the San Carlos trailhead.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/A74nosMCMqWSyPDU9Please:
- Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026, if you have not done so already.
- Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
- Email marinCNPSvolunteers@gmail.com with questions.
- Sorry, no dogs on this trip.
7 attendees
Roy's Redwoods Seed Collection Day
Roys Redwood Preserve, Nicasio Valley Road, Woodacre, CA, USRoy’s Redwoods Seed Collection Day
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 9:30am-12pmLeader: Aja Wylder, Marin County Parks Nursery Manager
CNPS Marin Coordinators: Caroline Christman and Stacey Pogorzelski
Location: Roy’s Redwoods Preserve, San Geronimo ValleyJoin us at Roy’s Redwoods for a special seed collection day! As summer turns to fall, it’s time to collect seed from some late season bloomers - Madia and Hemizonia. There are several native tarweed species which can be hard to tell apart, Aja will give a brief talk on identifying local tarweeds (Asteraceae) and the process for collecting their seed. This seed will be used for ongoing restoration at Roy's Redwoods meadow. Learn more about Roy’s Redwoods Restoration.
We will gather at the Roy's Redwoods entrance sign on Nicasio Valley Road and then hike a quarter to half mile along the Loop trail to various seed collection sites. If you arrive late, please hike south on the Loop trail (to your right with your back to the road) until you find us on the hillside to your left. Be prepared to traverse some steeper rocky slopes to reach the Madia at our first collection site. The following sites are flat.
Volunteers should wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and clothing layers they don't mind getting dirty. Please bring a water bottle, snacks, and sun protection. Gloves and tools will be provided. Poison oak and/or tick exposure is unlikely but possible. We will try to avoid poison oak and remind folks to do regular tick checks!
No prior experience is required.Directions: Meet at the entrance to Roy’s Redwoods Preserve on Nicasio Valley Road. Parking is available along the road.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ls8wXQpPqQhDkr6v5Please:
- Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026, if you have not done so already.
- Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
- Sorry, no dogs on this trip.
7 attendees
Marin Chapter Meeting “Discovering the Mysterious Vaux's Swift”
·OnlineOnline## Marin Chapter Meeting
“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.13 attendees
Indigenous uses of native plants
Olompali State Historic Park, 8901 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945, USA, Novato, CA, USIndigenous uses of native plants and construction of an ethnobotanical garden
Olompali State Historic Park
Sunday, October 18, 2026 945 a.m. to 1230 p.m.
Leaders: Skyroad Webb, Clint Kellner, Madeline KellnerJoin us at the Ethnobotanical Garden at Olompali State Historic Park to learn about the indigenous uses of native California plants. Skyroad Webb, councilman and Fire Keeper (Hoipu) of the Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin, will introduce us to native plants as “first people,” through storytelling and traditional songs of the Miwok people.
Clint and Madeline Kellner, who were instrumental in creating the Ethnobotanical Garden, will lead us on a short, guided walk around the Ethnobotanical Garden, introducing us to the garden plants and telling the story of the construction of this lovely garden.
The presentation by Skyroad will be from 10 am until approximately 12 pm, and thereafter, Clint and Madeline will lead us on a 30-minute walk, on the garden trail of the Ethnobotanical Garden.
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
3 attendees
Past events
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