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
5
Mt. Burdell Habitat Restoration Work Party: Hike to Hidden Lake!
475 San Andreas Drive, 475 San Andreas Dr, Novato, CA 94945, USA, Novato, CA, USMt. Burdell Habitat Restoration Work Party: Hike to Hidden Lake!
Saturday, November 7, 9am-11:30amLeader: 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 us for a special educational hike to Hidden Lake, a seasonal pond on the slopes of Mt. Burdell. The 1.2-mile hike winds through grassland and open oak savanna on the way to Hidden Lake. Greg will share details about the unique hydrology and geology at this spot, as well as the important wetland habitat that supports Pacific chorus frogs and other amphibians. Hidden Lake is also home to the rare (List 1B.1) plant Baker’s Navarretia (Navarretia leucocephala ssp. bakeri). It’s unlikely we will see this annual plant in November; we’ll need to return in spring!
After the talk, we’ll transition into work mode to remove pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), an invasive plant in the mint family that threatens our native wetlands. We will use hand tools for this task, and it will involve some stooping, kneeling, or sitting. We’ll work for about one hour and then walk back to the trailhead together to enjoy refreshments.
This hike and volunteer day is part of an ongoing stewardship program at Mt. Burdell, supported by Marin CNPS in partnership with Marin County Open Space District. During volunteer workdays we remove invasive plant species, plant native species, and collect native plant seeds. The hike to Hidden Lake is an opportunity to combine everything we love about Mt. Burdell – hiking, learning about our native habitats, and helping to steward the land.
The hike to Hidden Lake is 1.2 miles each way, for a total distance of 2.4 miles. The trail is a wide fire-road with gentle elevation gain. Marin County staff will provide gloves, tools, and great snacks. Bring a reusable water bottle, sun and wind protection, long pants, and sturdy close-toed shoes.
Heavy rain cancels, cancellations will be posted on Meetup.Directions: Meet at the San Andreas Drive entrance to Mt. Burdell. There is parking along San Andreas Drive. The trailhead where we’ll meet is on the right near the top of the hill.
Please:- 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.
16 attendees
Olompali Galls and Other Natural Wonders
Olompali State Historic Park, 8901 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945, USA, Novato, CA, USOlompali Galls and Other Natural Wonders
Sunday, November 15, 2026 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Leaders: Evan Weissman and Clint KellnerJoin our search for some of the most mysterious and seldom-noticed natural wonders: Galls!
Plant galls are growths induced by insects or other organisms, and they come in a wide variety of shapes and colors which give clues to the organism (often a tiny wasp) which caused the growth. Leaders Clint Kellner and Evan Weissman will share their knowledge, fascination, and curiosity about the galls and other lifeforms that we find along the way.
We'll walk at a fairly slow pace, about 1 mile round trip, on gravel and dirt trails, portions of the trail with a gentle slope. We may be stepping into tall grass for good looks at the galls. There are several picnic tables to rest along the partially-shaded route.
Directions: Meet at 10am in the Olompali State Historic Park parking lot. The entrance is at the end of Redwood Boulevard. 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.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Questions: Email Clint Kellner Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: (415) 895-8591
Bring: Dress in layers, long pants, and walking shoes. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water. Heavy 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
25 attendees
Point Blue Novato Baylands Planting Workday
Point Blue Novato Baylands Nursery, 737 Aberdeen Rd,, Novato, CA, USPoint Blue Novato Baylands Planting Workday
Friday, December 4, 2026, 9:30am-12pm
Leader: Stacey Pogorzelski
Location: Novato Baylands, Hamilton area, NovatoJoin Point Blue Conservation Science staff and volunteers in planting native plants in the Hamilton or Bel Marin Keys Wetlands. This work is part of an ongoing project to restore tidal marsh and seasonal wetlands at the former Hamilton Army Airfield. Learn more about the Novato Baylands Wetland Restoration Project.
Please come prepared for muddy conditions, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, layers for the cold, and rain gear if applicable. Bring water, snacks and sun protection. Point Blue will provide tools and gloves. Note: Point Blue has a limited supply of rain gear and muck boots. Light rain will not cancel.
Leader will message via Meetup if the event is canceled or rescheduled.We will meet at the Nursery facility (address below) and then drive together to the planting site location. We will plant for about 2 hours.
Novato Baylands, Point Blue Conservation Science
737 Aberdeen Road, Novato CA 94949
GPS coordinates: 38.059840, -122.526520Aberdeen Rd is accessed through an open gate (just southeast of the Novato Skatepark) from Hamilton Parkway in the Hamilton area of Novato. Aberdeen Road is not marked.
Go through the gate onto Aberdeen Rd (note: 15 mph speed limit), then keep to the right at the fork to proceed to the nursery (ignore signs on left that say Do Not Enter) . The road ends at the nursery.IMPORTANT NOTE: Apple Maps will not give you correct directions to the site. Please use written directions, Google Maps, or GPS coordinates. Thank you!
Transit: Short walk from Hamilton SMART train station, and accessible via Marin Transit #49 bus.
Please:
· Sign the Waiver for CNPS Marin for 2026 if you have not done so already.
· Sign the Waiver for PointBlue 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.
· Questions? Email cnpsmarinvolunteers@gmail.com7 attendees
Mt. Burdell Planting Day - Joske Grove
475 San Andreas Drive, 475 San Andreas Dr, Novato, CA 94945, USA, Novato, CA, USMt. Burdell Planting Day - Joske Grove
Friday, December 11, 9:30am-12pm
Marin County Parks Leaders: Aja Wylder, Nursery Manager and Greg Reza, Volunteer Program Coordinator
Marin CNPS Coordinator: Stacey Pogorzelski and Caroline Christman
Location: Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve in Novato, San Andreas Drive entranceJoin us in restoring monarch butterfly habitat at Joske Grove on Mount Burdell! Get your hands dirty as we plant around 350 narrow-leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) and add to the native patch where we observed both caterpillars and butterflies this summer!
Be prepared for chilly weather and a 30-minute hike uphill to the planting site. Marin County staff will provide tools and gloves. Bring a reusable water bottle, snacks, sun and wind protection, long pants and sturdy shoes. The ground may be muddy and wet, wear clothing that can get dirty.
Heavy rain cancels and will be posted on Meetup. Backup rain date will be Friday, December 18th.
Directions: Meet at the San Andreas Drive entrance to Mt. Burdell. There is parking along San Andreas Drive. We will walk to the planting site together.
Please:
- 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.org with questions.
- Sorry, no dogs on this trip.
6 attendees
Past events
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