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September Newsletter

What's in this issue: Speaker Series, Message from our President, Fall Scholarships, Annual Plant Sale, Seed Cleaning and Packaging Workshop, Plant Walks, Volunteer Opportunities

Speaker Series
Third Tuesday of the Month at 7:30 pm

September 20, 2022 (CORRECTED DATE) In-person and on Zoom
Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center
2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Dr. Nathan E. Rank, Professor of Biology, Sonoma State University
Insect population declines and what we can do about them

Presentation: Insect population declines: where are they occurring, how do we measure them, and what can we do about them?

Biologists across the globe have observed substantial declines in insect populations in recent years, and this has generated widespread concern about the future of this important group of animals. Many are concerned about the implications of the loss of insects on the health of natural ecosystems and the overall environment. In my talk, I will discuss the evidence for insect population declines, a survey of scientific opinion about their importance, methods for documenting insect population fluctuations, and efforts to conserve insects. I will also discuss practices we could implement to promote insect diversity in our local area. Finally, I will review my own research on insect populations in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and how they have been affected by recent climatic conditions including the California drought.

About Dr. Rank: I am interested in ecological interactions among plants and their herbivores and pathogens, and in the adaptive significance of genetic variation in natural populations of insects. Since 1984, I have studied populations of the leaf beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, focusing first on effects of insect predators on host plant suitability, and then on population and genetic responses to thermal variation in montane populations. I have also collaborated with researchers in Europe on plant-herbivore interactions in related insects. Finally, I am interested in effects of invasive species on native ecological communities. Ongoing work in this area focuses on the invasive pathogen Phytophthera ramorum, which has spread through Sonoma County woodlands since 2000.

You can find the registration link for Dr. Rank's talk at our website: milobaker.cnps.org

Message from our President

The Milo Baker picnic was very well attended last month despite temperatures in the high 90's. The Bechtel Center was rocking with more than 30 folks enjoying an afternoon feast outside on the deck. The hot weather kept us from a brisk walk up the road but we were treated to a viewing of the photo exhibit by Gerald and Buff Corsi at Dwight Center featuring many of the typical spring wildflowers of the Mayacamas range. The potluck spread overflowed the table with goodies. Our hostess, Michelle Halbur graciously set up and cleaned up. Thank you, Michelle! Having social events now is such fun, so good to see everyone.

In July the Chapter Board met over zoom. We elected Jen Palladini to be Rare Plant Chairperson, first time filling this position in many years. Jen is looking forward to planning some rare plant treasure hunts and working with the state CNPS Rare Plant staff. Welcome Jen! We also elected Michelle Halbur to Scholarship Committee Chairperson. Michelle has already worked on the last cycle of scholarships and is moving forward our efforts to reach students.

Other big news is that Natasha Granoff is busy planning for the next Milo Baker Fall Plant Sale. She brought together an enthusiastic group to tackle various aspects of the sale. There is always a need for more help on the Sale Committee as well as at the plant sale itself. And Betty Young is well into growing all the many varieties of plants we will have available. In addition to her propagation work she is training Lynnette Bower to help her run the nursery. Thank you all three for your leadership! While providing much needed financial support for our work, our plant sale is also an important way to share our enthusiasm for native plants whether in the garden or in the wild..

As summer winds down and the days shorten, I look forward to taking walks and spotting the late bloomers.  It seems like it’s a great year for the tar weeds!

– Wendy Smit, Milo Baker President

Fall Merit and Research Scholarships for Students of Native Plants

The Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is looking to support students who are interested in learning about native plants or are engaged in study and/or research relating to native plant conservation, restoration, or other native plant studies.

Currently, we have two scholarship types: a research scholarship which grants up to $3,500 to cover the cost of research materials and expenses, as well as a merit-based scholarship which provides up to $1,000 for general education costs. In Spring 2022, we awarded four students from Sonoma State and the Santa Rosa Junior College. Our next round of applications will be due on October 1st, and we encourage everyone to spread the word. Learn more about our scholarship recipients and application requirement on our website: https://milobaker.cnps.org/index.php/about/scholarships.

With cost-of-living increases putting more pressure on our already stressed students, a scholarship gift can make the difference of a lifetime. If you are interested in supporting our scholarship program, we encourage you to donate directly to our Chapter by contacting Karen Thompson at ket@sonic.net or by mailing a check, specified for our scholarship program, to Milo Baker Chapter, P.O. Box 892, Santa Rosa 95402.

– Michelle Halbur, Milo Baker Scholarship Chair

Milo Baker annual California Native Plant Sale
and Laguna Foundation Open House
October 8th, 2022 10am to 1pm

The 51st annual plant sale will be held on October 7 and 8. On Friday, October 7, from 3-6 pm there will be a special members only sale. Then on Saturday, October 8, the sale will be open to the general public from 10 am to 1 pm. Thanks to Natasha Granoff for chairing the plant sale this year.

I am very excited about the plants that we will have for sale this year. We have disease free plants that Betty Young and the propagation group have been growing all year. The quality of our plants is the best ever. We have grown 108 different types of plants. I can only mention some that I think are special.

There will be seven varieties of Manzanita from the ground cover Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald Carpet’ to the larger (10’ x 6’) A. pajaroensis. Three varieties of Ceanothus from the ground cover C. ‘Yankee Point’ to the larger (6’ x 6’) C. ‘Concha’.

In addition, there is a choice of 4 different varieties of bush monkeyflower and 4 different varieties of California fuchsia. Wonderful herbaceous perennials PCH Iris and Penstemon.  And some drought tolerant Salvias. The selection of ferns will be Blechnum spicant, deer fern, and Adiantum aleuticum, five-finger fern.

The Laguna Foundation is located at 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. Bring your own cardboard box, Please do not arrive early. There is no parking on Sanford Rd. before the gate opens.

Check our website for more information about the Plant Sale and a complete inventory of plants

– Liz Parsons, Milo Baker Vice President

Seed Cleaning and Packaging Workshop
Thursday September 29, 9am, at our Nursery

Are you a native plant gardener? Help support our Plant Sale and the nursery by collecting seed from your garden.

We will package seed for the plant sale and to use in the nursery next year on 9/29. If possible collect seed from multiple plants of each species, to provide genetic diversity. Clean the seed, and put in an envelope or other paper package.

By Sept. 15 send a list of the species you collected and about how many seed packages they would make (think 1 teaspoon per package). Send list to Betty Young, youngb0721@msn.com

If you have questions about how to clean your seed e-mail or call Betty, 707-695-4257. Or check our website for cleaning dry seed and seed in berries at https://milobaker.cnps.org/index.php/nativeplants/gardening-with-natives.

Bring your seed to our workshop on September 29 at the nursery. The nursery is located at the Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. We will clean the seed not yet done then package and label all seed for the sale. When we are done, we’ll celebrate with pizza. Bring your own drink, we’ll have ice chest available.

 – Louise Riedel, Seed and Bulb horticulturist and Betty Young, Nursery Chair

Nursery Expansion at the Laguna Foundation

Again, our amazing members volunteer to protect and increase native plants in Sonoma County. How are they doing that?? By donating 5 days of their time to construct 10 new benches for our nursery which will be shared with our partner organization, Laguna Foundation. Be sure to check them out at the Plant Sale, Saturday October 8.

Thanks so much to Natasha Granoff, Kristi Cain, Wendy Born, Jan Lochner, Penny Dalton, and our fearless leaders, Bryan and Pat Sesser. It would not have happened without you.

 – Betty Young, Nursery Chair

Plant Walks

Plant walks will be taking a break for the summer, have a great time out there in nature! Hope to see you again in the Fall. Sign up for future walks at Milobakerevents@gmail.com

Plant walks are free and open to members and non-members. This is a great way for beginners and botanists alike to appreciate the flora of Sonoma County.

Sign up for future walks at Milobakerevents@gmail.com

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Living Learning Landscapes Workday – second Friday of the month (9:30 am - noon). Meet at 1808 Albany Drive in Santa Rosa. Please RSVP to April Owens aprilleeowens@gmail.com so we know to expect you!

Weekly Doran Beach Ice Plant Removal – every Wednesday (9:30 am - 11:30 am). Meet at 9:30 at the Cypress Day Use parking lot, west end. Bring clippers and gloves and knee pads if you like. One of the most pleasant workdays happens every week – a trip to Doran Beach to pull ice plant. We are clearing out the ice plant that is in the marshland to make room for natives. It is very visual and quite satisfying, with the sound of the waves, birds and foghorn.

Bodega Head Ice Plant Removal Project – second Sunday of each month (10:00 am - 1:00 pm). CNPS is leading volunteers at Bodega Head to save native species from getting smothered by ice plant. Meet at the main parking lot near the bathrooms. Bring water, clippers and gloves if you have them. Text Alynn at 707-321-1748 for more information and to let us know that you are coming.

For more information, please visit the Volunteer Opportunities page on our website.

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