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| MAY 2019 CHAPTER NEWSLETTER |
Smile, its time for the Spring Native Plant Sale
Finding your favorite plant at your local native plant sale on a bright spring day can bring a smile to your face. You can get that smile by visiting the Jepson Chapter's Spring Native Plant Sale on May 4th at Benicia's Heritage Presbyterian Church beginning at 9:00 AM. Many of the plants growing at the Chapter's native plant nursery in Vallejo (the source of the plants for this sale) are achieving the peak growth rates and are ready for a permanent home. Check out the inventory of plants posted on the Chapter website to see if your favorite plant will be available. Or maybe you'll find a plant on the inventory that is new to you and would be a welcome addition to your garden. In any case, be sure and stop by 1400 East Second Street in Benicia to see if there is anything you want to take home. Expert sales staff will be available to help with your questions and decisions. Remember, all proceeds from our semi-annual plant sales help fund native plant conservation activities in Solano County. |
Board Adopts Chapter Budget for the New YearAt its March meeting the Jepson Chapter Board of Directors adopted a budget for the new year, which begins on April 1 for all CNPS Chapters. the Board has organized its budget according to the goals of the CNPS 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. The first goal of that Strategic Plan is to provide scientific information as the basis for the protection of native plants, plant communities and landscapes. The Chapter budget supports this goal by funding a $100 donation to the Calfora Database Program, which provides detailed information on California plants online to anyone for free. The second goal is to protect native plants and plant communities, through effective and coordinated conservation action. The budget supports this goal by allocating $500 for upgrades to our nursery that implement the CNPS policy for reducing the spread of harmful pathogens by plants grown in nurseries, $775 for producing information on native plants and a $300 scholarship to a student at Solano Community College. The third goal is to conserve and reclaim space for native plants through horticulture and stewardship. The budget supports this goal by allocating approximately $9,000 for site improvements at the Chapter's native plant nursery in Vallejo, $1,730 for nursery operations and $200 in plant donations to other local organizations. The last goal of the Strategic Plan is to support CNPS with efficient resources; increase public enthusiasm and support for California's native plants; and cultivate and increase our network of partners. The budget supports this goal by allocating $265 to the Chapter's outreach activities. This annual budget is only one of the ways the Jepson Chapter supports the conservation and appreciation of native plants in Solano County. Another way is through the volunteer efforts of our members. These volunteers efforts will be reported in the June newsletter. |
Volunteer at the Native Plant Nursery in VallejoThe Chapter's native plant nursery in Vallejo produced over 900 plants last year, entirely through the efforts of volunteers. You can volunteer at the nursery during its work sessions that are scheduled for most Thursdays from 10:00 AM to noon. AAA of Northern California sent nine employees to volunteer at the nursery last Thursday as part of their observance of April as National Volunteer Month. These eager volunteers propagated plants, repaired irrigation lines and shade cloth, groomed plants for the upcoming plant sale and removed weeds from the nursery grounds. Most of the nursery volunteers are members of CNPS. Some volunteers are regulars while others volunteer only occasionally when they have free time. All are welcome. If you want to learn about helping out at the nursery,contact the Jepson Chapter Propagation Chair, Barbara Reiley at contact@jepson.cnps.org. .
Employees from AAA of Northern California help out at the Chapter's native plant nursery in Vallejo |
Early Date for Solano College Horticulture Club Plant SaleThe Horticulture Club at Solano Community College will host its annual Spring Plant Sale in April, a month earlier than last year. The plant sale is scheduled for Friday, April 26 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; and Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Horticulture Department (Building 1000) on the college's main campus in Fairfield, 4000 Suisun Valley Road. Convenient parking can be found in Lot #6. The plant sale will feature 15 varieties of organically grown, non-GMO tomato and pepper plants, assorted unusual vegetable plants, drought tolerant plants, herbs, succulents, floral arrangements, color bowls and more. The Horticulture Club partners with the Jepson Chapter for many of our programs and we are happy to support them by promoting this sale to our members.
The Solano College Horticulture Department is the venue for their Spring Plant Sale. |
Native Plant Week Celebration in VallejoThe Jepson Chapter celebrated California Native Plant Week (April 13 to 21) at the Vallejo Farmers Market Earth Day Fair downtown on April 20th. We partnered with the Vallejo Watershed Alliance to operate an information booth at the Fair. Volunteers from the Chapter distributed information on CNPS and promoted our May 4 plant sale in Benicia. Fairgoers were hungry for native plants. We brought three flats of plants and almost all were sold. Let's hope for a similar outcome at the actual plant sale.
Customer and volunteers Maggie and Mary Frances at the Vallejo Farmers Market Earth Day Fair |
CNPS Participates in Big Day of Giving in MayOnce again, as part of the annual CNPS spring appeal, the California Native Plant Society is participating in the Big Day of Giving 2019. This 24-hour giving marathon begins at the stroke of midnight on May 2. When you give at www.bigdayofgiving.org/CNPS on May 2, you make CNPS eligible for special incentive bonuses that can make your gift go farther. Your donation - a minimum of just $15 - can yield an additional gift of hundreds of dollars that can help CNPS do even more! You can win too. CNPS will be giving away prizes, such as books, garden signs, and the CNPS t-shirt designed by Coyote Brush Studios, to randomly selected supporters who donate to CNPS any time on May 2 at bigdayofgiving.org/CNPS. Won't be around on May 2? You can schedule a gift at bigdayofgiving.org/CNPS or by calling 916-447-2677 x 204.
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Plant of the Month - Ceonothus maritimus (Valley violet)This San Luis Obispo County native perennial is one of the top 100 recommended plants from the U.C. Davis Arboretum. This is a low growing native, about two-feet high by four-feet round, and is drought tolerant once established. It has showy dark violet flowers from March to April. It is deer resistant and attracts birds and butterflies. It is tolerant of different types of soil. In hot areas, some afternoon shade is recommended, but it prefers no summer water.
Ceanothus maritimus, (Valley violet) |
Jepson Chapter is Looking for New Board MembersWe have opportunities to serve as Program Chair, Outreach Chair and Treasurer. No experience needed and training will be provided. The Board meets in the evening four times a year in Fairfield. Get further details at volunteermatch.org or email us at contact@jepson.cnps.org.
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Upcoming Events
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CNPS Statewide Website | Jepson Chapter Website     
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