JULY 2020 CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

Spring Native Plant Sale Survives COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus threw up obstacles, but was not able to stop the Willis Jepson Chapter from offering a native plant sale to the public this spring. After the Shelter-at-Home order was issued on Friday, March 13th, the Chapter had to rethink its Spring Native Plant Sale. Retail establishments were closed and the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District (District) had restricted access to the Chapter's native plant nursery which is located in their corporation yard. Many plants in the nursery were blooming in anticipation of getting new homes.

A number of other CNPS Chapters were dealing with cancelled or delayed spring plant sales so in late April, the State CNPS office announced it would provide assistance to chapters for on-line plant sales using the Square.com software they had acquired. [READ MORE]

Volunteers from the Plant Sale Committee staff the pick-up station in Benicia for the Chapter's first on-line plant sale.

Countywide Parks Ballot Measure Stalls

While COVID-19 has caused a huge increase in the use of parks and open space, it has sucked the air out of the effort by the County Board of Supervisors to develop a Countywide Park District measure for the November 2020 ballot. The County Supervisors last discussed formation of the District on February 25, asking local groups and organizations to help with public outreach. Since then, all activity seems to have collapsed under the weight of the nation’s public health emergency and related events.

The County Parks Commission was to help with public outreach, but has not met since March 12. The County Supervisors' Park Committee has not met this year. The Solano Land Trust has tabled their work on the ballot measure until January, when the possibility of a poll to learn about the voters’ interest in parks will be considered, according to Executive Director Nicole Braddock.

County staff reports privately that no measure for a parks district will be on the ballot in November, although a report on the matter has not yet been made to the County Supervisors.

Trail through Rockville Hills Regional Park in

Fairfield.

Directors Set Priorities for Native Plant Conservation in 2020

Each year the Willis Jepson Chapter Board of Directors adopts a budget to fund native plant conservation activities in Solano County. That process begins with preparation of its annual report and financial statement to the state office of the California Native Plant Society. It describes how the Chapter has supported the Society’s mission to conserve and protect our native plants. Click here for a copy of the Annual Report for 2019.

The Annual Report covers the Chapter’s activities from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. The Chapter generated over 1,000 volunteer hours in support of native plants in Solano County. About a third of these hours were dedicated to operating the native plant nursery in Vallejo and producing our semi-annual native plant sales. Other accomplishments included: [READ MORE]

Training Workshop on Phytophthora in Fairfield

Jepson Board member, Dr. Ted Swiecki, explains how to use pears to detect Phytophthora infestations at a CNPS workshop for native plant nurseries hosted by the Jepson Chapter last year.

Mare Island Preserve Re-Opens

The Mare Island Preserve, a 215-acre shoreline park located at the south end of Mare Island is open and operational once again. The City of Vallejo closed the Mare Island Preserve in October following two wildfires that burned over 40 acres.

Since the fires, the City has addressed various wildfire-related issues on the open space. In addition, the Department of Defense has been working on grading, drainage, fencing repair in the Naval Cemetery and Preserve. The Department of Defense suspended their work in March due to COVID-19, but has tentative plans to resume construction in July 2020, which will require a closure of the Preserve until their project is complete. Until then, the public may visit the Preserve Friday through Sunday and holidays 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Willis Jepson Chapter plans to organize a Rare Plant Treasure Hunt for next year to assess the Preserves native plant resources. No native plant survey has been done on Mare Island.

Trail through Mare Island Preserve. Photo courtesy of @MareIslandPreserve facebook page.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Carmel Creeper' (Carmel Ceanothus)

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'carmel creeper' This evergreen low growing ceanothus cultivar is variable, with 1 to 2-inch-long ovate to elliptical glossy green leaves that are ribbed and have slightly serrated edges and fuzzy undersides. It mounds 1 to 3 feet high but can get to 5’. It typically spreads to 4’ but can reach out to 12’. Blooms from winter to spring with 1” clusters of pale blue flowers that attract butterflies and bees. It is easy to grow and tolerates most soils. It can take part shade to full sun and low to moderate water. It grows fast and best along the coast. Inland, it requires supplemental watering, making it short-lived. The shrub can be pruned to keep low by removing upright and arching branches.

C. thyrsiflorus var. griseus is endemic to coastal California from Santa Barbara to Mendocino counties in a variety of habitats, including dunes, exposed bluffs and headlands. This plant was formerly called Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis.

Photo to right is Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. 'Carmel Creeper' (Carmel ceanothus)

Virtual Tour of the Berryessa Region is Tuesday, June 30 at 7:00 PM

An email for this event was sent to Jepson Chapter members last week. To participate in this free armchair tour you do not need a ZOOM account, but you do need to register in advance using the link below. You will be sent an email with instructions for accessing the ZOOM presentation. If you haven't registered yet, register now!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OctY0N9lRCm3LFRTICiO-Q

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