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THE PAINTBRUSHCNPS San Gabriel Mountains Chapter NewsletterMarch 2023 We hope you will enjoy this latest edition of our chapter newsletter, The Paintbrush! This edition features some interesting local happenings in our chapter and area. Follow the links below each article summary to read the complete article on our website. We are always looking for new contributors! If you would like to write an article or submit artwork for our next issue on a native-plant-related topic, we invite you to get in touch at info@cnps-sgm.org to pitch us your idea.
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PRESIDENT'S LETTERBy Helena BowmanWe welcome the new year with rain. We had 32.33” at our home so far this season and I know many of you had a good helping too. The data show from 20-22” at the end of February for you who live in the Valleys. Our friends over the mountains in Palmdale and Lancaster got about 6”. That is just right to get the desert flowers going. From what I hear the show is on, unless the snow nipped the delicate flowers. READ MORE  Photo by William Hallstrom. |
INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER MATT SMITH OF PLANTS OF LA COUNTYBy Margaret GallagherA couple of years ago, my attention was caught by a series of beautiful photos of native plants on Instagram that were unlike any I’d seen. Since then I have been lucky enough to get to know the photographer, Matt Smith, and learn more about his work. Matt brings a unique approach to photographing the plant species of LA, but what is even more impressive about his photography is the scope. Matt has set out to document every single one of the 3200+ plant species in Los Angeles County. I joined Matt last month on a hike in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills and took the opportunity to interview him about his project (spoiler alert - we didn’t find the fern). READ MORE  Photo: Matt Smith |
THE PLANT SALE 2022By Portia Besocke, Plant Sale Chair The Plant Sale went very well. It was at the Monrovia Historical Museum in Monrovia. Such a perfect place to show off our plants! This year we had 2,000 plants and sold most of them! READ MORE Photo: Helena Bowman |
NO CANYON HILLS: NATURALISTS & RESIDENTS MOBILIZE TO PROTECT THE VERDUGO HILLSBy No Canyon Hills Community Coalition In 2005, a proposal for a 200+ luxury gated housing development called 'Canyon Hills' was approved by L.A. City Council. Even back then, the project was controversial for its sweeping destruction of the Verdugo Mountains in Tujunga. Now, almost 20 years later, the developer wants to begin construction before the land-use agreement expires. Last month, residents learned that Whitebird Inc. had recently pulled a Grading Permit to begin gutting the mountain. This process entails grading the scenic hillsides, cutting some ridge-lines down 80 feet, paving over ecologically important mountain streams and ripping out hundreds of Coast Live Oak trees. But the botanists are mobilizing. A small but mighty group of plant and wildlife advocates have joined forces online and launched a campaign to protect this important wildland habitat. We are gaining momentum, and we plan to grow this effort all the way to the top.  Photos: Devon Christian.
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NEW CONSERVATION PROJECT: SANTA FE DEAM NATURAL AREA, VOLUNTEERS WANTED!By Gabi McLean
Longtime CNPS volunteer Gabi McLean is spearheading a new conservation and outreach program at the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area, an L.A. County Park in Irwindale that includes a large stretch of undeveloped alluvial scrub. This area provides habitat to many bird and other animal species that are hard to find otherwise in urban L.A. County. It is a now rare plant community that is threatened by development, arson, invasive weeds, and influx of our homeless neighbors. We are planning plant walks, bird outings, plant ID classes, and weeding parties.
 Photo: Gabi McLean
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SAGING THE WORLD DOCUMENTARY SCREENING JANUARY 12, 2023By Helena BowmanWe had a great time at the Friendship Auditorium watching the documentary “Saging the World.” The Sage is an important plant for our local tribes. It should be left to them to care for their lands and have it free from poachers. If the customers knew the story of how the sage bundles got to the stores, I think most people will stop buying them. The best approach is to grow your own White Sage bush! READ MORE  |
DEAREST BUCKWHEATBy Karen Suarez
Karen writes an ode to buckwheat as it changes throughout the seasons of California.
 Photo: Karen Suarez
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR OUTREACH AT UPCOMING EVENTSWe are tabling at two upcoming events to help get the word out about the California Native Plant Society, and we would love your help! This is a fun and easy opportunity to help engage new people who might be interested in joining our chapter activities.
Saturday, March 11, 10am-4pm: Discovery Day: The Power of Plants at the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, Claremont, CA.
Saturday, March 18, 1-4pm: Garden Tour, Plant Swap, and Sustainability Fair at the South Pasadena Nature Park, South Pasadena, CA.
Anyone is welcome to join us for all or part of the event duration. Contact Helena at helenasbowman@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer.
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UPCOMING EVENTSSaturday, March 11: Fungal Exploration at Eaton Canyon Meet at 9am at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. Come along on a fungal exploration led by naturalist Aaron Tupac, exploring fungal diversity and their vital relationships that sustain our local native plant communities. Aaron is host of the fungi-focused community education group Exploring the Mycoverse which meets biweekly at Arlington Garden in Pasadena. Aaron works at the Fungal Diversity Survey on their CA Fungal Diversity Survey, the first state-wide project of its kind. Aaron is most passionate about fungi conservation advocacy and ecological restoration. Please wear closed-toed walking shoes, bring water and sun protection. Wearing long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Bringing a bag to pick up trash we may encounter is also encouraged.
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Visit our website, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more chapter news and updates. |
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CNPS Statewide Website | San Gabriel Mountains Chapter Website      |
