Vol. 33, No. 4 October 2005 FREMONTIA

Home , Cupressus guadalupensis, Hesper (pilot boat), Sidalcea hickmanii, Temblor Range

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A JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

IN THIS ISSUE:

CHAPTERS OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY: INSTALLMENT IV 3

THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PRESS by Holly Forbes and Gail Milliken 11 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM by Vern Goehring 13 THE TEMBLORS: UGLY DUCKLING OF THE COAST RANGE by Neil Havlik 15 THE RESTORATION OF GUADALUPE ISLAND by Bradford Keitt, Steve Junak, Luciana Luna Mendoza, and Alfonso Aguirre 20 MUSING ON LEAF AND TWIG: NOTES ON WINTER PRUNING OF NATIVE TREES by Dan Songster 26 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FELLOWS: LIZ PARSONS AND BOB SOOST by the CNPS Fellows Nominating Committee, Reny Parker, and Bob Hass 29 VOLUME 33:3, JULY 2005 FREMONTIA 1 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CNPS CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FREMONTIA CNPS, 2707 K Street, Suite 1; Sacramento, CA 95816-5113 (916) 447-CNPS (2677) Fax: (916) 447-2727 VOL. 33, NO. 4, OCTOBER 2005 [email protected]

Copyright © 2005 MEMBERSHIP California Native Plant Society Membership form located on inside back cover; dues include subscriptions to Fremontia and the Bulletin Linda Ann Vorobik, Editor Mariposa Lily ...... $1,000 Supporting ...... $75 Bob Hass, Copy Editor Benefactor ...... $500 Family, Group, International . . . $45 Beth Hansen-Winter, Designer Patron ...... $250 Individual or Library ...... $35 Bob Hass, Jake Sigg & Plant Lover ...... $100 Student/Retired/Limited Income . $20 David Tibor, Proofreaders STAFF CHAPTER COUNCIL CALIFORNIA NATIVE Sacramento Office: Alta Peak (Tulare) . . . . Joan Stewart PLANT SOCIETY Interim Executive Director ...... Bristlecone (Inyo-Mono) ...... Sue Britting, PhD Sherryl Taylor Channel Islands ...... Lynne Kada Dedicated to the Preservation of Development Director/Interim Dorothy King Young (Mendocino/ the California Native Flora Finance Manager . . . . . Cari Porter Sonoma Coast) . . . Jon Thompson The California Native Plant Society Membership Assistant . . . Christina East Bay ...... Joe Willingham (CNPS) is a statewide nonprofit orga- Neifer El Dorado ...... Amy Hoffman nization dedicated to increasing the Bookkeeper . . . . Suzanne DaVirro Kern County . . . . . Laura Stockton understanding and appreciation of Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mtns . . . California’s native plants, and to pre- At Large: Betsey Landis serving them and their natural habi- Fremontia Editor ...... Linda Ann Marin County ...... Bob Soost tats for future generations. Milo Baker (Sonoma County) . . . . . Vorobik, PhD Reny Parker CNPS carries out its mission Senior Conservation Botanist ...... Mojave Desert ...... Tim Thomas through science, conservation advo- Ileene Anderson Monterey Bay ...... Robert Hale cacy, education, and horticulture at Rare Plant Botanist . . . . Misa Ward Mount Lassen ...... Jim Bishop the local, state, and federal levels. It Senior Vegetation Ecologist . . Julie Napa Valley ...... Marcie Danner monitors rare and endangered plants Evens North Coast ...... Larry Levine and habitats; acts to save endangered North San Joaquin . . . . Gail Clark areas through publicity, persuasion, Vegetation Ecologist . . . Anne Klein Orange County ...... Sarah Jayne and on occasion, legal action; pro- East Bay Conservation Analyst . . . . . Redbud (Grass Valley/Auburn) . . . . vides expert testimony to government Jessica Jean Olsen Marie Bain bodies; supports the establishment of Legislative Advocate ...... Riverside/San Bernardino counties . . native plant preserves; sponsors work- Vern Goehring Katie Barrows days to remove invasive plants; and Legal Advisor ...... Sandy McCoy Sacramento Valley . . Diana Hickson offers a range of educational activities San Diego ...... Dave Flietner Website Coordinator ...... San Gabriel Mtns . . . . Lyn McAfee including speaker programs, field trips, John Donaghue native plant sales, horticultural work- San Luis Obispo . . . . Charles Blair Bulletin Editor ...... Bob Hass Sanhedrin (Ukiah) . Chuck Williams shops, and demonstration gardens. Santa Clara Valley . . . Judy Fenerty Since its founding in 1965, the tra- BOARD OF DIRECTORS Santa Cruz County . Casey Stewman ditional strength of CNPS has been David Diaz, Vern Goehring, Steve Sequoia (Fresno) . . . . Warren Shaw its dedicated volunteers. CNPS ac- Shasta ...... Dave DuBose tivities are organized at the local chap- Hartman (Treasurer), Diana Hickson, Sierra Foothills (Tuolumne, Cala- ter level where members’ varied in- Lynn Houser, Lynne Kada, David L. veras, Mariposa) . . . . Patrick Stone terests influence what is done. Volun- Magney, Sandy McCoy (Vice Pres- South Coast (Palos Verdes) ...... teers from the 32 CNPS chapters an- ident), J. Spence McIntyre, Carol Barbara Sattler nually contribute in excess of 87,000 Witham (President) Tahoe ...... Michael Hogan hours (equivalent to 42 full-time em- Willis L. Jepson (Solano) ...... ployees). Allison Fleck CNPS membership is open to all. PROGRAM DIRECTORS Yerba Buena (San Francisco) . . . . . Mark Heath Members receive the quarterly jour- CNPS Press ...... Holly Forbes nal, Fremontia, the quarterly statewide and Gail Milliken MATERIALS FOR Bulletin, and newsletters from their Conservation . . . . . David Chipping PUBLICATION local CNPS chapter. Horticulture ...... Peigi Duvall CNPS members and others are wel- Fremontia logo (by L.A. Vorobik) re- Posters ...... Bertha McKinley come to contribute materials for pub- printed from The Jepson Manual, J. and Wilma Follette lication in Fremontia. See the inside Hickman, Ed., 1993, with permission Rare Plants ...... Ann Howald back cover for manuscript submission from the Jepson Herbarium, UC. © Re- Vegetation . . . .Todd Keeler-Wolf instructions. gents of the University of California. Printed by Business Point Impressions, Concord, CA

2FREMONTIA FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:3, JULY 2005 CONTENTS

EDITORIAL: WHERE WILL CNPS BE ON OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY? ...... 2

CHAPTERS OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY: INSTALLMENT IV ...... 3 This is the final in a series of four installements summarizing California Native Plant Society (CNPS) regional chapters, and includes those from the northern part of the state: the North Coast, Shasta, Mt. Lassen, Sanhedrin, Dorothy King Young, Milo Baker, Napa Valley, Sacramento Valley, and Redbud chapters. Summaries of the other CNPS chapters appeared in Fremontia Volume 33, Nos. 1-3.

THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PRESS by Holly Forbes and Gail Milliken ...... 11 CNPS Press is alive and well, and celebrating with a timely reprint of California’s Wild Gardens. This brief overview lets readers know what to look for in terms of publications, and how to submit manuscripts.

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM by Vern Goehring ...... 13 Vern Goehring has been the contract legislative advocate for the California Native Plant Society since 1997, following many years as an advocate for State agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game. Here he reviews the many ways CNPS engages in the legislative process and outlines valuable ways in which CNPS members can participate in the Society’s advocacy efforts.

THE TEMBLORS: UGLY DUCKLING OF THE COAST RANGE by Neil Havlik...... 15 In this excellent introduction to the Temblor Range, the most interior and desert-like of the South Coast Ranges, the author describes the overall aspect of the landscape and plants, and plant communities, along with ideas for interesting places to visit in the upcoming field season.

THE RESTORATION OF GUADALUPE ISLAND by Bradford Keitt, Steve Junak, Luciana Luna Mendoza, and Alfonso Aguirre ...... 20 Guadalupe Island, Mexico, is an extension of the California floristic province. Feral goats have severely affected the island, causing several plant extinctions. The authors describe current efforts to remove goats from the island and discuss vegetation recovery inside fenced areas designed to exclude goats.

MUSING ON LEAF AND TWIG: NOTES ON WINTER PRUNING OF NATIVE TREES by Dan Songster ...... 26 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FELLOWS: LIZ PARSONS AND BOB SOOST by the CNPS Fellows Nominating Committee, Reny Parker, and Bob Hass ...... 29 NOTES AND COMMENTS...... 31 BOOK REV IEW ...... 32

THE COVER: Redbud Chapter members at Hells Half Acre, Nevada County, on Earth Day, 2005. Participants cleared illegally dumped trash before enjoying a wildflower tour. Photograph by J. Carville.

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 1 EDITORIAL: WHERE WILL CNPS BE ON OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY? USEFUL WEBSITES AND CONTACT INFORMATION began our 40th Anniversary year with an article on the mission, history, I California Native Plant and heart of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS)—a celebration Society (CNPS): of who we are and how far we have come. I’d like to end the year by www.cnps.org, with links to exploring where we might be on our 50th Anniversary. conservation issues, chapters, As this year draws to a close, our Society finds itself in transition, with a publications, policy, etc. need for change driven, in part, by internal forces. Our Chapter Council is For updates on conservation currently reviewing our mission, vision, and goals in a new strategic plan- issues: ning process intended to carry us through the next three years. With the Audubon Society www.audubon.org departure of our Executive Director, Pam Muick, our Board of Directors is Center for Biological Diversity searching for a new leader to facilitate the good work of our programs, paid www.sw-center.org and volunteer staff, and 32 chapters and subchapters. The pending depar- Native Plant Conservation Campaign www.plantsocieties.org ture of the Fremontia Editor, Linda Vorobik, will also require us to find Natural Resources Defense another editor for our quarterly journal. And finally, our Rare Plant and Council Conservation programs each recently completed a series of meetings where www.nrdc.org they envisioned future goals. Sierra Club External forces are also driving the need for change. The current www.sierraclub.org administration continues to attack and weaken the federal resource protec- Wilderness Society www.wilderness.org tion laws that have helped to support our mission since the 1970s. Our population is growing, and California is paving over its natural resources at For voting information: an alarming and escalating rate. Regional conservation plans (those infa- League of Women Voters www.lwv.org, includes online voter mous NCCPs and HCPs), which determine conservation goals for 50 or guide with state-specific nonparti- more years, are being formulated without adequate science and often san election and candidate without including environmental stakeholders. Our diverse conifer and information. hardwood forests are being systematically replaced with monoculture tree US Senate www.senate.gov farms. And one of my favorite ecosystems–vernal pool grassland–is being US House of Representatives consumed by out-of-control urban sprawl. And although internal changes www.house.gov within the society at times seem daunting, it is the external pressures that California State Senate present the greatest challenge to us as a Society. www.sen.ca.gov So many transitions at once might seem burdensome, but in reality they California State Assembly require only a few changes in how we operate, both internally and with the www.assembly.ca.gov outside world. Transitions will not and can not change who we are as a To write letters: Society: a group of highly dedicated and motivated members and volunteers President George W. Bush who care about the beauty and uniqueness of California’s native flora and The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW natural habitats. Washington, DC 20500 I see a bright future for CNPS. Given our past history of dedication to Senator Barbara Boxer both the native flora and to the spirit of volunteerism, we can only get or Senator Dianne Feinstein better. In the year 2015, when we look back upon our struggles and US Senate Washington, DC 20510 successes, I expect that we will be proud of who we are and what we have Your CA Representative accomplished. US House of Representatives Carol W. Witham Washington, DC 20515 CNPS President

2 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 CHAPTERS OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY:INSTALLMENT IV

This, the final installment of summaries of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) regional chapters, includes chapters from the northern part of the state. The first three installments appeared in Fremontia Volume 33, Numbers 1–3. I hope you have enjoyed reading about other chapters in the state, and will share these articles with those who might be interested in joining our Society.

NORTH COAST CHAPTER

Size of chapter: Approximately 280 members Website address: northcoastcnps.org

rom its inception in the Bio- Flogical Sciences building at Humboldt State University in March 1970, the North Coast chapter has been dedicated to native flora conservation and education throughout Humboldt and Del Norte County communities. With field trips and presentations as its initial focus, the chapter branched out to become instrumental in conservation in the local dunes and the unique serpentine habitats near the Oregon border. Today, through the hard work Map of the local chapters of the California Native Plant Society. The chapters sum- of many dedicated volunteers, we marized in the text include the North Coast (1), Shasta (2), Mt. Lassen (3), Sanhedrin have brought the message about na- (4), Dorothy King Young (5), Milo Baker (6), Napa Valley (7), Sacramento Valley (8), tive plants to diverse segments of and the Redbud Chapter (9). our community. We are active in native plant conservation and edu- providing information as well as side of the regulatory arena, our cation with county, state, and fed- commenting on various agency en- rare plant program volunteers have eral agencies and other organizations vironmental projects (herbicide use collected demography and trend as well as with private landowners, in managed forests, road building, monitoring data on several other schools, and gardeners. We credit timber harvest plans, off-highway taxa. We have also joined with the our founding members, John Saw- vehicle use) and management plans. Humboldt County Weed Manage- yer, James P. Smith, and Virginia Our rare plant co-chair, Dave ment Area and the Humboldt Na- Rumble with setting the stage for a Imper, has been actively involved tional Wildlife Refuge to eradicate very active and involved chapter. in the restoration of western lily non-native invasive species. With Many segments of our chapter (Lilium occidentale) habitat through- the City of Arcata we help to main- are involved in working with local out our area. This year he has tain a native plant garden and have agencies and governments to pro- teamed with the US Fish and Wild- influenced the planting of natives mote the conservation of native life Service to sponsor two habitat on several city projects. plants. Jen Kalt, our conservation restoration workdays in Del Norte We provide an array of services chair, has been instrumental in lead- County on land that had previously and activities for individual gardening letter writing campaigns, and in been slated for development. Out- ers and plant lovers. We presently

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 3 gardens and landscapes throughout tat of the two-flowered pea (Lathyrus our community has been very re- biflorus) a group of members, with warding for the 20 volunteers in- the support of the chapter, purchased volved. We also offer informative 40 acres on Red Mountain south of handouts on plants for north coast Eureka. This property lies adjacent gardens, as well as on invasive non- to federal land and contains half of natives to avoid in our area. the world’s population of this rare For anyone who enjoys plants, species. In the future the chapter we offer a variety of field trips and will be helping to develop monitor- presentations throughout the year. ing and management plans to di- Our field trips are always fun and rectly influence the protection of this led by experts who inspire learning. plant. In 2002 our chapter organized Our monthly presentations offer a symposium, “The Ecology and speakers and topics that are always Management of Rare Plants of relevant and well-received. We have Northwestern California,” and this The April 2005 spring flower display at also organized workshops on spe- year the proceedings from that con- the North Coast Chapter Wildflower cific taxa co-sponsored with the ference have been published. This Show. Photograph by N. Krahforst. Humboldt State University Natu- publication and the symposium are ral History Museum. The highlight indicative of the dedication and com- have 30 members who grow native of every spring for our chapter is mitment of our members. plants for our twice-a-year plant the wildflower show. Our chapter sales. The plant sales are a lucrative coordinates approximately 50 vol- fundraiser and also provide an op- unteers from several organizations SHASTA CHAPTER portunity to educate community to produce an amazing display of members about native plant issues. spring flowers, plus interpretive Size of chapter: Approximately Through our native plant conser- walks, illustrated lectures, and dem- 158 members vation service we have provided ad- onstrations. Approximately 800 Website address: vice on how to replace any invasive people plus three school groups vis- users.snowcrest.net/cnps or non-native species in a garden ited this year. with native plants. Providing this The success of our chapter is The Shasta Chapter of CNPS cov- expertise to both public and private exemplified by two recently com- ers a large area of northeastern Cali- entities and seeing the results in pleted projects. To protect the habi- fornia that includes Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc, and Lassen counties. North Coast Chapter members on a field trip to Groves Prairie, east of Eureka, Geographically we encompass the in 2003. Photograph by N. Krahforst. northern end of the Central Valley, the Klamath Mountains, the South- ern Cascade Mountains, and the western edge of the interior basin- and-range province. This region is extremely diverse in geology, land- form, climate, and biology. The center of activities for our chapter is Redding, California, but very active “outposts” in Siskiyou County and the Alturas/Susanville region keep the chapter alive in those areas. Activities that define the chapter include the wide array of fieldtrips, engaging monthly programs, annual plant sale, Mother’s Day wildflower show, school Acorn Grants, and a scholarship. Field trips are never hard to ar- range, as flower season runs from

4 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 lated projects, such as developing native plant gardens on school grounds and going on botany field trips to Lassen National Park. An annual scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior or junior college transfer student from this region who is entering a four- year college or university and plans to major in a life science. The re- cipients of these grants and awards often attend our membership meetings to introduce themselves and tell us about their projects.

MT. LASSEN CHAPTER

Size of chapter: Approximately 220 members Website address: none

The Mount Lassen Chapter was formed in November 1977 when 80 people gathered in Chico to hear a talk titled, “What is so special about California plants?” To- day the chapter offers a host of activities and projects including eight monthly meetings with speakers, a June picnic, and field trips every month of the year. A wildflower show is held with a plant sale every two years; it provides a major educational event for the Top: Spring display at Millville Plain, Shasta County. • Above left: Shasta Chapter field public. We also host educational trip to the McCloud River Preserve (Nature Conservancy property). • Above right: booths and displays that are geared Award-winning display at the Shasta County Fair. Photographs by J. Thesken. especially to children at environmental events in Chico such as the about February to September, de- expertise as program speakers and Endangered Species Faire and the pending on the elevation of our des- field trip leaders. Home and Garden Show. tination. Sites visited can range from Two events that are well at- Over the years, members from vernal pools in the Central Valley tended by the public are the fall the chapter have also participated to serpentine formations and alpine plant sale held at the Shasta Com- in activities at the state level, serv- meadows of the Cascade Range, munity College Horticulture De- ing as CNPS Bulletin editor, on the Klamath Mountains, and northern partment, and the Mother’s Day Rare Plant Scientific Advisory Com- Sierra Nevada. Our chapter leads Wildflower Show at the Siskiyou mittee, and in various positions on approximately two field trips a County Fairgrounds. This year the the Board of Directors, Chapter month throughout the year. Since wildflower show included over 300 Council, and various state commit- Redding is the center of govern- species. tees. The chapter has also hosted ment for the northern third of the Acorn Grants of up to $500 each three state meetings. state, many wildlife and botany ex- are awarded to primary and sec- The chapter, which encom- perts from several agencies are chap- ondary schools that apply for finan- passes a vast region spread out ter members and contribute their cial assistance for native plant-re- among three counties—Butte,

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 5 Chapter Lake County wildflower lovers out members of their own backyards and woods have served and into the wider realms of bo- in important tanical diversity—from redwood agency posi- forest, through mixed oak and co- tions where nifer woodlands, along the riparian major conser- corridors of the Russian and Eel vation work rivers, into the chaparral scrub and is often ac- vernal pools of the Mayacamas complished, Mountains and then higher onto including the some of the loftiest peaks in the California northern inner coast ranges: Hull, Dept. of Fish Sanhedrin, Anthony, and Snow. and Game, When sufficient interest and mo- the US Fish mentum was attained as a result of and Wildlife these flower outings and mushroom Above: Mount Lassen members Barbara Service, and forays, it was decided to organize a Castro and Lawrence Janeway delighted at the US For- new CNPS chapter north of their 1993 rediscovery of veiny monardella (Monardella douglasii ssp. venosa), a plant not est Service. In Sonoma County and this became seen since the 1930s. • Left: Veiny monar- addition, in Sanhedrin, named for the dominant della. Photographs by R. Schlising. recent years peak east of Highway 101 between members Ukiah and Willits. Plumas, and Tehama—boasts a rich have become more involved in local, We currently hold quarterly field trip tradition whereby mem- state, and federal issues, and in speak- potluck/working meetings where bers from many walks of life showing at city and county planning the newsletter, field trips, and con- case the local area they call home. meetings. servation issues are discussed as is Outings to local vernal pools and news from the state level of CNPS. serpentinite areas have been popu- Over the years we have been active lar as have forays to Oroville’s Table SANHEDRIN in local weed (broom and Arundo Mountain, to local ranches at op- CHAPTER donax) abatement. We also perform posite ends of Butte County, and a yearly census of plants in bloom at to areas in need of broom bashing. Size of chapter: Approximately 90 Low Gap Park around the first of Trips to more distant places occur members April. This survey, which involves as well, such as to Butterfly Valley Website address: none mainly the native flora of the park, and Mount Lassen National Park. is in its 22nd year and provides par- Rare plants have been a major The Sanhedrin Chapter comprises ticipants the opportunity to learn focus throughout the chapter’s his- the inland part of Mendocino to key out species and to corrobo- tory. Chapter members—including County and all of Lake County, rate or disprove sometimes long students and faculty at Chico although, even from its origins in held beliefs on the identities of lo- State—conducted studies and wrote 1981, the active core has invariably cal natives. theses on rare plants in the region. resided in the 40-mile long inland Field trips run the gamut from Members began conducting work valley corridor between on floristics, especially of Butte Hopland to the south and Sanhedrin members participating in 2004 Low Gap County, early on in the chapter’s Willits to the north. The plant survey. Photograph by Vishnu. history. Later, intensive field work first CNPS activities oc- culminated in the CNPS publica- curred several years be- tion, Butte County Flora. fore the Sanhedrin Chap- The chapter is equally fortunate ter was formed when in having developed, over time, a Lucille (Lou) McKinney close relationship with California of Ukiah, a member of State University at Chico; local en- the Milo Baker Chapter, vironmental organizations; Butte organized and advertised College and Department of Fish Milo Baker field trips in and Game (Table Mountain activi- Mendocino County. This ties); and Friends of Bidwell Park. drew the Mendocino and

6 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 biweekly springtime plant walks, where only common names are used, to more science-based trips into remote regions pursuing rare and listed species. Fall and winter trips include oak identification walks (where one can see nine major species, four shrub varieties, and as- sorted hybrids), mushroom forays, and trips to look at mosses, liver- worts, and lichens. Local endangered species that Above left: Dorothy King Young Chapter members weeding ice plant (Carpobrotus have experienced conservation ef- edulis) on a bluff near the Pt. Arena Lighthouse. Photograph by P. Howard. • Above forts on their behalf by Sanhedrin right: Calypso orchid or fairy slipper (Calypso bulbosa), the namesake for the newsletter members include Baker’s meadow- of the Dorothy King Young Chapter. Photograph taken near Gualala by B. Rutemoeller. foam (Limnanthes bakeri) and North Coast semaphore grass (Pleuropogon Young was honored as the first We also have an active educa- hooverianus). Also, just this spring, CNPS Fellow (1973) and Dorothy tion program, and are coordinating the Sanhedrin chapter pledged $500 was similarly honored in 1988. a Learning Landscape native plants as a matching grant with the Na- Dorothy’s plant identification book- project with several schools in Point tional Forest Foundation for a chap- let, Redwood Empire Wildflowers, was Arena. As part of the project, stu- ter project to monitor and control edited by Vinson Brown and first dents are learning about plant iden- the spread of tansy ragwort (Senecio published by Naturegraph in 1964. tification, plant uses, pollinators, jacobaea) which is threatening to im- Today the chapter continues its foragers, and other relationships of pact a population of checkerbloom strong dedication to native plant native plants in the environment. (Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. viridis), a education and preservation. We re- The chapter supported the Learn- listed species that occurs in a remote cently donated $1,000 to a local ing Landscape budget by donating region of the Mendocino National nonprofit group, the Redwood matching funds to it. Forest. Coast Land Conservancy, toward the purchase, enhancement, and protection of coastal headland habi- MILO BAKER DOROTHY KING tat near Gualala. Two chapter CHAPTER YOUNG CHAPTER members conducted the required botanical surveys on land that in- Size of chapter: Approximately 470 Size of chapter: Approximately 130 cludes important coastal commu- members members nities and six rare plant species. Website address: www.cnpsmb.org Website address: www.dkycnps.org Other conservation projects that chapter members have worked on The Milo Baker Chapter serves The Dorothy King Young Chapter over the years include the acquisi- Sonoma County which extends from serves coastal Mendocino County tion of the plant-rich Glass Beach the Pacific Ocean through Redwood and the northern coastal area of property in Fort Bragg, and advo- forest and oak woodlands, grass- Sonoma County. Our membership cating for a more environmentally lands, and vernal pools to the chap- includes people from the commu- friendly golf course and park proj- arral on the border with Lake and nities of Jenner, Gualala, Sea Ranch, ect, also in Fort Bragg. Napa counties. Sonoma County Point Arena, Mendocino, and Fort Currently the chapter is work- contains nine major plant commu- Bragg. Our chapter, which formed ing with Caltrans at a site along nities and chapter members help in 1966, is named for Dorothy King Highway 1 inhabited by two CNPS monitor 160 species of rare plants Young, a Humboldt University List 1B species, Roderick’s fritil- that occur in our area. graduate who later settled in Gualala lary (Fritillaria roderickii) and The chapter was organized in with her husband, Charles Young. purple-stemmed checkerbloom 1972. It was named after Milo Baker, The chapter was initially formed (Sidalcea malvaeflora ssp. purpurea). an instructor of botany at Santa Rosa when the Youngs put out a call for We are filing for an encroachment Junior College from 1923 to 1961 volunteers to rescue plants from a permit with Caltrans so that we can and the premier botanist of the species-rich site that was scheduled transplant the Sidalcea to an appro- North Coast flora. We manage four to be bulldozed. Later, Charles priate site. sensitive habitat areas that contain

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 7 rare and endangered plants: Vine programs are well attended and fea- Wildflower Festival was the result Hill near Sebastopol, Southridge ture talks, slide shows, and demon- of the first retreat. Another benefit Preserve and Rincon Ridge Park strations by specialists in botany, has been that members get to know in northeastern Santa Rosa, and horticulture, photography, inva- each other better and learn to work Cunningham Marsh south of sives, and various conservation well together to achieve common issues. Preceding goals. each program is a plant identification hour when mem- NAPA VALLEY bers bring in mys- CHAPTER tery plants and, working with a mi- Size of chapter: Approximately 190 croscope and vari- members ous floras, attempt Website address: www.ncfaa.com/ to identify them. skyline/cnps The chapter’s very successful fall Soon after its founding in 1973, the plant sale is now in Napa Valley Chapter became one Above: Members of the Milo Baker its 34th year. Among of the first groups to participate in Chapter setting up for their yearly plant other things, the rev- efforts to inventory rare and en- sale. • Left: Pitkin lily (Lilium parda- linum ssp. pitkinense), one of the rare enues from the sale dangered plants in California. Since plants in the region of the Milo Baker allow the chapter then, field checks have remained an Chapter. Photographs by R. Parker. to award a $1,000 important part of preservation ef- scholarship to a de- forts; some sites have been moni- Sebastopol. The Rare Plant Group serving Santa Rosa Junior College tored continuously for over 20 years. prioritizes areas in need of plant sur- student who plans to study plant sci- Using information gathered from veys, sets up a schedule for moni- ence at a four-year college. these surveys, the chapter advises toring, and organizes volunteers to The chapter has held two very both conservation groups and de- carry out this work. In addition, we successful Vision-to-Action mem- velopers alike as to where threat- monitor development in Sonoma ber retreats where a full day is de- ened native species are likely to be County, and if it threatens native voted to identifying immediate and found. habitat, we communicate chapter long-term chapter goals. A spring In 1979 the chapter took a lead- support or opposition when appropriate. The chapter has also been Napa Valley Chapter weeders at land trust site on Atlas Peak Road proudly display involved in the update of the exotics removed from vernal pools. This is part of an experimental project designed to county’s General Plan and presented protect rare plants from future weed invasion. From left to right: Roger Demmin, Marcie Danner, and Jake Ruygt, Rare Plant Coordinator. Photograph by S. Banks. recommendations to policymakers to increase protection for rare plants and plant communities. One of our chapter’s strengths is its field trip program, which is both fun and educational. We offer a range of weekend hikes and walks at least monthly or more frequently. These excursions are sometimes combined with opportunities to remove non-native invasive plants, to take surveys of rare plants, and to photograph them. In 1980, a group of retired members formed the Mon- day Walkers and, as the name im- plies, hike together every Monday. Our monthly newsletter and website keep members informed of our various activities. The monthly

8 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 ing role in helping to establish and Donald Smith, an expert on El historic Old City Cemetery in Sac- plan Skyline Park, situated on 900 Dorado County’s flora; and Dr. ramento, and a woodland and wet- acres of undeveloped public land. George Clark, a prominent bota- land restoration project at Longview Today extensive trails weave nist and activist, and past Society Oaks in the Capitol City. through the park’s wooded hills, president. George’s sudden, unex- None of our chapter’s accom- providing the public with ready ac- pected death in 1996, while bota- plishments would be possible with- cess to an abundance of native spe- nizing on Walker Ridge above his out the efforts and dedication of cies in their natural setting. The beloved Bear Valley in Colusa our members. One member creates park is also home to the chapter’s County, is currently inspiring our significant chapter income by sell- Martha Walker Garden, where visi- chapter’s fight to preserve this same ing native wildflower seeds and his tors can learn more about native serpentine ridge from a proposed own handcrafted bird and bat species they may have seen in the wind farm. houses. Another has led field trips wild, and the chapter’s central grow- Currently the chapter is plan- and Spanish broom removal efforts ing grounds, where much time, en- ning its first annual Wildflower along the American River Parkway ergy, and funds have been expended Weekend, a major community out- since the 1980s, familiarizing area in developing methods for propa- reach event designed to showcase residents with our local treasures. gating and growing various native the area’s diverse plant communi- The Sacramento Weed Warriors, a plants. This increased knowledge of the unique requirements of individual species has allowed the culti- vation of the plants needed for both revegetation efforts as well as the biannual plant sale. Currently the chapter sponsors an array of programs that help spark interest and spread information about native plants to the public. Prominent activities include wildflower symposiums and shows, biweekly plant walks, and a traveling “trunk” education program that makes visits to Napa County schools.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY CHAPTER

Size of chapter: Approximately 670 members Website address: www.sacvalleycnps.org The 2004 Sacramento Valley Chapter Board at Demonstration Garden in the Old City Cemetery. Among those photographed are Cassandra Nguyen Musto and The Sacramento Valley Chapter Sabrina Okamura Johnson, long time co-chairs, and the garden’s founder, Eva was formed in December 1965 un- Butler. Photograph by C. Lewis. der the leadership of Dr. G. Ledyard Stebbins, a distinguished plant evo- ties. The chapter also supports an project of the chapter, enlists the lutionist, and a primary figure in active subchapter in Stockton. Our help of volunteer groups to remove the Society’s development and ac- chapter’s primary efforts include some of the most troublesome tivities. Dr. Stebbins was later conservation work (such as preserv- weeds along the American River named a Fellow of the Society. Our ing habitat on the Fair Oaks Bluffs, Parkway. Since 2001 over 18,000 chapter’s other Society Fellows in- American River Parkway, the volunteer hours have been logged. clude Florence Marsh, who served Mather Field vernal pools, and Deer The chapter has led efforts in the 24 years as our Chapter’s first sec- Creek Hills oak woodlands), popu- region to conserve many vernal pool retary; Lillian Mott, an authority lar fall and spring plant sales, a na- areas through public activism and on Nevada County’s flora; Lyman tive demonstration garden at the education. As a result, the vernal

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 9 pools at Mather Field now have a preserve plan; public field trips are led by trained docents each spring; and an award-winning fifth-grade curriculum, Splash, has been used by hundreds of school children (our next ambassadors for habitat preservation!).

REDBUD CHAPTER

Size of chapter: Approximately 190 members Website address: www.nccn.net/ ~cnps

The Redbud Chapter started as an offshoot from the Sacramento Val- ley Chapter. In 1991, Sierra Col- plant sales are popular and impor- lege biology teacher, Shawna tant public outreach events, espe- Martinez, saw the need for a CNPS cially for newcomers and home gar- chapter for the fast-growing foot- deners. We rely on independent hill communities of western Placer nurseries to participate as vendors and Nevada counties. CNPS mem- for our spring and autumn sales. bers from the Auburn, Grass Val- Our annual spring wildflower show ley, and Rocklin areas responded to presents another opportunity to Shawna’s letter inviting them to an educate the public. At the show we organizational meeting. The newly exhibit over 100 species, all of which formed chapter made field trips and contain educational labels. Volun- programs available locally, and the teers have also established a native first native plant sale was held in plant demonstration garden at Milo Maciulis examines flowers while his dad, Justin, helps with the Redbud Rocklin in November 1992. Bridgeport in the South Yuba River Chapter’s spring clean-up at Hells Half Nevada and Placer counties in- State Park for school classes and Acre. Photograph by J. Carville. • clude grasslands, meadows, vernal park visitors. Scadden Flat checkerbloom (Sidalcea pools, oak woodlands, and exten- Since 1997 we have been work- stipularis), a rare species endemic in the sive mixed conifer forests. The can- ing on a conservation-oriented Redbud Chapter region. • Humboldt lily (Lilium humboldtii ssp. humboldtii), a yons of the Yuba River and the guidebook to the wildflowers of CNPS List 4 taxon that grows in the American River provide large areas Nevada and Placer counties. Eleven Sierra foothills in Placer and Nevada of rugged scenic beauty for hiking authors and four photographers counties. Photographs by K. Callahan. and exploration. Native plant en- have contributed to the book’s text thusiasts enjoy an extended spring and illustrations. Several more vol- Chapter members managed to res- season from February in the lower unteers are involved in the book’s cue the southern-most Darlingtonia elevations (600 feet) of our area un- production phase. Redbud members californica fen in the Sierra from log- til August in the higher elevations have also been raising funds over ging damage and protect it under a (9,000 feet). Our chapter area also several years for the printing ex- permanent conservation easement. includes botanically interesting sub- penses of our book. With many large-scale development alpine, serpentine, gabbro, and vol- Redbud Chapter has a long-time projects planned for the next de- canic habitats. We have a natural interest in preserving several im- cade in our counties, we anticipate affinity with eastern Yuba County, portant local native plant habitats. that increased organization and ef- Sierra County to the north, and with The future of the privately owned fort will be required to preserve the eastern Sierra Nevada region. Hells Half Acre is very uncertain. habitats for rare plants. Redbud Chapter’s major activi- This is a 25-acre wildflower field ties are plant sales, field trips, and on an ancient volcanic mudflow with Each chapter summary was authored by one educational programs. Redbud’s at least three rare plant species. or more representatives from that chapter.

10 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PRESS by Holly Forbes and Gail Milliken

or many years CNPS Press, in (now represented by Phyllis Faber), Fthe capable hands of volun- in collaboration with CNPS and the teer Phyllis Faber, produced California Department of Fish and an array of important books in sup- Game. This book is a treasure; it is port of the Society’s mission. These the best of the pictorial genre repre- books have provided critically im- senting California’s amazing flora portant information and support for and treasured flowery places. Its our science-based organization to timely re-release during the 40th an- use in plant conservation, and to niversary of CNPS provides yet an- promote appreciation for the Cali- other tool in our mission to pro- fornia flora. They have addressed mote appreciation for the California the state’s habitats from coastal sand flora. Need we say it makes an excel- dunes to Central Valley vernal pools lent gift item? Delivering a copy to and the Sierran alpine. After a hia- your elected representatives in con- tus in production, we are working cert with an appointment to discuss to rejuvenate the Press: to build on how they can help protect the Cali- Holly Forbes, CNPS Press co-director, during a March 2005 trip to Anza Borrego the successful list of titles devel- fornia flora is sure to make a positive Desert State Park. Holly is curator of the oped by Phyllis, and on the sub- impact. University of California Botanical Garden stantial efforts of the former Publi- A second title, The Best Spring at Berkeley. Photograph by G. Milliken. cations Committee. Ever: Why El Niño Makes the Desert Recent projects that have come Bloom, released just in time for an- books for which there is demon- to fruition through the efforts of our other fantastic desert wildflower strable demand; print local floras last Executive Director, Pam Muick, season in 2005, was edited and and checklists; and produce works and the state office staff (especially shepherded through the publishing with a statewide focus for general Paul Maas) include the reprinting of process by Steve Hartman. It fea- audiences, such as children’s books, California’s Wild Gardens: A Guide to tures incredible desert images by horticulture, and ethnobotany, as Favorite Botanical Sites by UC Press Carll Goodpasture, and the story of well as coffee table books that popu- climate as it affects desert ecology larize native plants. The Press also Gail Meadows Milliken, CNPS Press co- by Janice Emily Bowers. supports the development of local director, during the March 2005 desert Also in keeping with our mis- field guides. outing with Holly Forbes. Gail is the sion, the Press assisted the North CNPS Press will use these cri- Garden Shop and Visitor Services Man- ager of the Santa Barbara Botanic Gar- Coast Chapter in publishing the teria when evaluating potential pub- den. Photograph by H. Forbes. proceedings of the North Coast lications: Rare Plant Conference, The Ecology and Management of Rare Plants • Works will be fact-based or of Northwestern California—North science-based and must pass Coast Proceedings, edited by Melissa a review process for accu- Brooks, Sydney Carothers, and racy. Tony LaBanca. It was shepherded • Works with projected great- through the printing process by est conservation impact will former state president Sue Britting. have priority. CNPS Press priorities are to • Works will include infor- produce works directly related to mation about conservation the CNPS mission, e.g., conference where appropriate. proceedings, standardized floras, • Works must meet minimum treatments of botanical subjects for editorial standards of con- the lay audience, and how-to guides. tent as set by CNPS Press. The Press will reissue out-of-print • Reprints will meet current

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 11 nomenclature and current advice from experienced members, port for new and reprinted titles, publication standards (in- we will not be reconstituting the and welcomes your suggestions to cluding quality and style of publications committee, but we will successfully fund them. prose). be calling upon volunteers where If you or a colleague have a book skills and interest intersect. project that you would like consid- The state Board of Directors has As you might imagine, publish- ered for publication, please prepare approved these publication criteria ing books is not an inexpensive pro- a brief proposal that includes the and priorities, as well as a revision cess. Phyllis Faber was very suc- following: of the Publications Fund Operating cessful in fundraising to cover the Procedures. These documents, production costs for many titles, • rationale for CNPS to pub- along with editorial guidelines and making their financial return less lish (1-2 page letter), standards for revision/reprinting, important than it would otherwise • table of contents, production guidelines, and a book be, and getting information into • sample chapters (2-3 and a publishing process, will enable the members’ hands as soon as possible. rough idea of length in words), CNPS Press to move forward on The Press is seeking financial sup- • sample illustrations (or clear important and timely works to fur- descriptions of such), ther the Society’s mission. Based on A montage of photographs from Cali- • any funding sources or mar- fornia’s Wild Gardens (see book review keting connections, and on page 32). Clockwise from left: Fre- • any known competition. montodendron californicum. Photograph by W. and W. Follette. • Sky lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and California poppy Please submit your proposals to (Eschscholzia californica) at Figueroa the state office, addressed to CNPS Mountain. Photograph by S. Cochrane. Press. • Giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron gigant- eum) in the Sierra National Forest. Pho- tograph by B. Evarts. • Santa Catalina Holly Forbes, Botanical Garden, Univer- Island, Channel Islands National Park. sity of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. Photograph by R. Herrman. [email protected]

12 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM by Vern Goehring

he majority of legislative organizations that helped to achieve plants. We initiate (sponsor) legis- Tbills are introduced and the NCCP Program reform. We lation, monitor legislation spon- acted upon within one year, explored options, facilitated discus- sored by others, testify in legislative or two at most. However, it took sions, implemented political strat- hearings, meet with legislators and five years to get a major reform of egies to build support, and nego- interest groups, analyze legislation, the Natural Community Conser- tiated the final legislation. CNPS’s propose and negotiate amendments vation Planning Program (NCCP) efforts over the years involved to bills, and work to get the State enacted. While complex and highly volunteers (Dave Chipping, Joe administration to support our posi- controversial proposals frequently Willingham, Sue Britting, Carol tion. In addition, the legislative pro- take many years to gather sufficient Witham, and others), staff (Emily gram monitors and advocates posi- support to be successful in the leg- Roberson), and our legislative ad- tions on administrative actions and islature, NCCP reform was delayed vocate. Because of this significant regulations. in part due to a difference of opin- contribution of resources, CNPS This year CNPS is sponsoring ion among environmental organi- was possibly the most important two bills. One removes a bias against zations regarding the nature of re- environmental organization work- native plants in laws pertaining to form that was necessary and pos- ing to bring this effort to a success- firebreaks and weed abatement. The sible. Environmental organizations ful conclusion. other promotes a multi-state pro- made numerous attempts to draft The CNPS legislative program gram to replace tamarisk in the and refine bill language over sev- does not just focus on the occa- Colorado River basin with native eral years before a consensus was sional major campaign, as occurred plants. Sponsoring legislation re- reached and the political environ- with the NCCP Program, in order quires a considerable investment of ment was such that reform was pos- to advocate for native plant conser- time and effort. When we sponsor sible in 2001. vation. The program works on many legislation, we draft bill language, The California Native Plant fronts to encourage the conserva- develop arguments in support of Society (CNPS) was one of the key tion and appreciation of native the bill, join the author in present- ing the bill in legislative hearings, The author with Assemblymember Fran Pavley (Agoura Hills), CNPS Legislator of recruit other supporters, educate the Year, 2004. Pavley, a solid champion of the environment, will leave the Legislature legislative staff on the issues, meet at the end of 2006 due to term limits. Photograph by T. Odisho. with those opposed to the bill, and if necessary negotiate amendments. In addition this year, as in most years, CNPS worked to strengthen the budgets of key State depart- ments and programs critical to native plant conservation. CNPS was instrumental in organizing a coalition of organizations concerned with funding for the Department of Fish and Game, including groups representing environmental inter- ests, commercial and recreational fishing, and hunting. While this coalition was successful in getting several funding augmentations and fee proposals adopted by the legislature, final budget negotiations and governor vetoes reduced our accomplishments significantly.

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 13 IDEAS FOR LOCAL GRASSROOTS ACTION

1. Register CNPS members to vote. 2. Appoint a legislative chair and committee in your chapter. 3. Identify CNPS members in positions of influence in the community. 4. Send a chapter delegation to meet annually with your local legislators. 5. Invite local legislators to chapter events and ask them to share their thoughts on issues. 6. Add legislators to your mailing lists. 7. Plan photo opportunities for legislators. 8. Write letters to the editor thanking or critiquing a legislator for his or her actions. 9. Get to know your legislator’s local staff. 10. Get to know city, county, and school board members. They are all future legislators. 11. If you support a legislator in an election, let him or her know that you are a CNPS member. 12. Get to know local media reporters. 13. Issue local press releases on important issues and write letters to the editor. 14. Attend local forums, town hall meetings, breakfasts, Rotary Clubs, etc. and speak up for native plants.

A successful legislative program TIPS ON WRITING YOUR LEGISLATOR requires more than just working within the halls of the State Capi- ost legislators want to know what constituents think. They tol. It requires that legislators know Mrealize that people who write are likely to be voters who have their constituents care about na- influence in the community. Legislators generally consider a con- tive plants. Few things are more cise personal letter as reflecting the opinion of 30 to 40 people. effective politically than when vot- When writing, follow these guidelines: ers contact their own legislator, especially voters who have estab- 1. Be concise. Limit your comments to one page and discuss only lished a relationship through ear- one issue or bill per letter. lier communications and who pe- 2. Identify yourself as a member of CNPS. riodically meet with legislators in their local office or at community 3. Type the letter, if possible. If submitting a handwritten letter, events. Regardless of one’s experi- be sure it is legible. ence or lack of experience, all 4. Mention the issue or bill number at the beginning. CNPS members can participate in the CNPS grassroots lobbying ef- 5. Refer to local newspaper articles or credible reports that sup- forts. Interested members can join port your position. with other local members in lob- 6. Ask for a specific action (e.g., a vote for or against a bill). bying local legislators, learn about 7. Be helpful, polite, and firm—don’t threaten or be insulting. key legislative issues by visiting the Legislation section of the CNPS 8. On emergency issues (i.e., when time is short or something website, and join the CNPS action unexpected has occurred) it is better to fax your letter or make alert network at www.cnps.org/ a phone call (email is the least effective communication). alerts.htm. 9. Always send a thank you note when the legislator responds in the way you have requested. Vern Goehring, 1621B 13th Street, Sac- ramento, CA 95814. [email protected] or [email protected]

14 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 THE TEMBLORS: UGLY DUCKLING OF THE COAST RANGES by Neil Havlik

e have all heard the story County where I worked years ago, National Monument, which was Wof the ugly duckling, a place I originally considered so created by presidential proclama- who didn’t look like his plain and boring compared to the tion on January 17, 2001 by outgo- siblings and just didn’t fit in. Well, dramatic hills and mountains—yes, ing President Clinton, is one of the this story is about a mountain range mountains—of Contra Costa and sites BLM manages. The monu- that doesn’t look like its neighbors, Alameda counties where I have ment’s boundaries go up to the crest and just doesn’t fit in—at least at spent much of my professional life. of the Temblors, and so I had a first glance. But like the ugly duck- Mount Diablo is dramatic; the reason to familiarize myself with ling, who turned out to be a thing Jepson Prairie—at least at first that part of the range. My son had a of beauty after all, this mountain glance—is not. But places like the seasonal position there, so we did range holds great and pleasant sur- Jepson Prairie grow on you, and as some exploring. We drove along prises for those who care to look in you get to know them more, you the ridge; we went up to McKittrick more detail. find that the drama is not absent, it Summit; we drove a jeep road down I am speaking of the Temblor is just subtle. And that is how it is Crocker Canyon; we followed old Range, the innermost of the Coast with the Temblors. mining and prospecting roads here Ranges of California. The Tem- My interest was piqued when I and there. We got out of the car blors extend along the San Luis had an opportunity to serve on an and hiked many of the canyons of Obispo-Kern County boundary for advisory committee established as a the Temblors. some 70 miles, from the Polonio sounding board for the Bureau of It was a real eye-opener. What Pass and Highway 46 in the north Land Management (BLM). This is we found was a rich grassland- to the Grocer Grade and Highway the federal agency charged with the scrubland mix that clearly supported 166 in the south. Rainfall averages administration and management of a lot of wildlife. We found healthy 5 to 10 inches per year, and the 261 million acres of America’s pub- juniper groves at the higher eleva- highest point in the range is lic lands, located primarily in 12 tions. We found ancient oak trees— McKittrick Summit at 4,332 feet. western states. The Carrizo Plain Quercus john-tuckeri—in various This is too low and too dry for coniferous forest, but the Temblor Valley oak savanna at the northern end of the Temblor Range, along Bitterwater Road, Range does have some fairly exten- with scattered valley oaks (Quercus lobata), blue oaks (Q. douglasii), and buckwheat sive juniper and juniper-oak wood- (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs within the annual grassland. All photographs by the author. lands. Other conspicuous vegetation includes an interesting semi- desert scrub, and lots of grassland. People tend to think of the Temblors as a kind of wasteland. The extensive oil fields at their eastern base and their usually austere aspect, which may look overgrazed for much of the year, presents a vision of a place forgotten, over- looked, abused, and generally worked over with no thought for the resources that are there. It’s not the kind of place that, at first glance, appears at all inviting or interesting—even to one for whom the desert and desert-like regions are of special interest. It reminded me of Solano

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 15 of the place. Fifty years ago Ernest While there has been a con- Twisselmann, a member of a no- tinuing interest in preserving the table local family that has made its Carrizo Plain area for quite some living ranching in the Temblors for time, it was not until the 1980s that generations, wrote a flora of the it began to pick up steam. In 1982 range. He described the plant com- the Nature Conservancy purchased munities and their intimate connec- 82,000 acres in the Carrizo Plain tion to local history. The Tem- area, which added to the 100,000 or blors—at least in the slightly wetter so acres already in public owner- north—were opened for homestead- ship. Since that time, the Carrizo ing in the 1920s. Twisselmann re- partners—the Bureau of Land Man- ported that many settlers tried to agement, the Nature Conservancy, make a living on 320 acres (the al- and the California Department of lowable homesteading acreage for Fish and Game—have acquired ad- that area), but couldn’t, and in his ditional lands until today the time the land still showed many of Carrizo Plain public lands total well the scars of that attempt. over 200,000 acres. In 2001, outgo- The wholesale cutting of juni- ing President Clinton declared this pers and oaks for fences, firewood, area to be a National Monument. and even building materials deci- The map that went with the decla- mated many woodland tracts. ration included the western side of Clearing for subsistence agriculture the Temblors from near Highway and trying to run too many live- 58 almost all the way to Highway stock on small acreages resulted in 166. The west side of the Temblors other damage. Only as these efforts were included by virtue of their as- failed and people moved away, did sociation with the Carrizo Plain the lands become consolidated into watershed, and probably not for viable ranchlands. This led to some anything notable of their own. But Top: Juniper-oak woodland at the road respite for the plants and wildlife, it was this fortuitous inclusion that summit on Highway 58. This open woodland is dominated by California and Twisselmann chronicles the led to my studies (which were on juniper (Juniperus californica), blue oak slow return of the junipers and re- my own time), and to the desire to (Quercus douglasii), and goldenbush growth of the oaks as more sustain- share the pleasant surprises that I (Haplopappus linearifolius). • Bottom: able land uses took effect. found there. Juniper-oak woodland at McKittrick Summit (4,332 feet), the highest point in the Temblor Range. Here the blue oak Grassland with juniper-oak woodland on north-facing slopes near McKittrick Summit. (Quercus douglasii) has largely been Soda Lake on the Carrizo Plain can be seen in the distance. replaced by Tucker oak (Q. john-tuckeri). locations throughout the range, some of them quite unexpected, as though these groves were left over from some earlier, wetter time. There were also plenty of signs of human use: lots of jeep roads, off- road vehicle tracks, old mine and drill sites, and communication fa- cilities. But somehow these things didn’t dominate the landscape. Rather, they appeared subordinate to the wildness of the place, as if human activity, which has clearly crawled all over these mountains, just couldn’t overcome nature. Ultimately I think that is what impressed me the most: the nature

16 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 SHRUBS AND WILDFLOWERS TABLE 1. COMMON SHRUBLAND SPECIES IN THE TEMBLORS The biggest surprise to me was the wide occurrence of a plant as- COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME sociation that I had never seen before. Twisselmann referred to it as Narrowleaf goldenbush Haplopappus linearifolius the Upper Sonoran subshrub com- Spiny goldenbush Isocoma menziesii munity, and the classification by Morman tea Ephedra californica Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf refers to Bladderpod Isomeris arborea it as the bladderpod-California ephedra-narrowleaf goldenbush se- California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum ries. This association evidently is Eastwoodia Eastwoodia elegans found in the foothills and low Matchweed Gutierrezia bracteata mountains surrounding the south- Saltbush Atriplex polycarpa ern end of the Central Valley, including the Temblors, the San Winter fat Krasheninnikovia lanata Emigdio Mountains to the south, California sagebrush Artemisia californica and the Greenhorn Mountains southeast of Bakersfield. In the Temblors there are as many as ten ability. I am inclined to agree: the of Eriastrum, Amsinckia, Monolopia, co-dominant species. species is the most common of the and other species are often observed Density of the shrub commu- shrubs and it also occurs commonly among the shrubs. Interestingly, the nity varies from quite sparse to quite with the junipers and oaks which fragile wind poppy (Stylomecon dense. It is intermixed with grass- are regularly grazed by livestock. heterophylla) in the Temblors is ba- land dominated by non-native an- However, by far the most interest- sically restricted to the shrub com- nuals such as ripgut brome (Bromus ing thing about this shrubland is its munity and can be found in many diandrus) and Arabian grass (Schis- diversity. At least ten species can be areas among the shrubs or in small mus arabicus). However, these grass- found here in some abundance. openings. The Crocker Grade is a lands are rather sparse, and this They include the species listed in good place to look for them. An- sparseness has allowed the persis- Table 1. other interesting wildflower is the tence of many native wildflowers. The grasses and wildflowers of desert candle (Caulanthus inflatus). This in turn leads to generally good the grassland community are com- This beautiful member of the mus- wildflower displays in the Temblors pletely intermixed with the shrub tard family forms colonies in steep in most years. In spring of 2003 the community, and colorful colonies slopes which are free of competi- orange of fiddleneck colored whole hillsides in the Temblors, and mixes Crocker Canyon, looking southeast. of yellow Monolopia and purple Eriastrum were also abundant. The shrub cover is thinner at the lower elevations and on drier slopes, but canyons such as Hale McLeod Canyon and Dabney Can- yon featured dense stands of shrubs in the upper levels and on north facing slopes. Certain areas along the crest of the range were also quite dense. In April and May these stands were bright yellow with the widespread occurrence of the narrowleaf goldenbush (Haplopappus linearifolius). Twisselmann believed that livestock grazing benefitted this species because of its relative unpalat-

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 17 scribed as senescent (aging) colonies. Twisselmann attributed this condition to a general drying trend over the past several hundred years, and to severe drought in more recent years. Again, although I have not seen these stands, I am inclined to agree, and look to the Tucker oaks for confirmation. Some of the Tucker oak colonies are found at quite low elevations, and upon close inspection, they turn out to be ob- viously quite old. In many cases the roots are exposed and the plants look like they are standing on prop roots like mangroves, as the land around them has eroded away. There are virtually no signs of any seedlings, at least in the southern part of the range. They clearly give the impression of trees that got established under much more favorable conditions many years ago. The California juniper is the characteristic tree of the range de- spite having been harvested exten- sively for fenceposts, corrals, and firewood, and is found from one end of the range to the other. It is most abundant from the Cedar Canyon area south to near Crocker Grade, with small populations and individuals scattered both north and south of that core region. Twisselmann commented upon the Top: Tucker oak (Quercus john-tuckeri) woodland in upper Crocker Canyon. • Bottom: return of the junipers following the Upper Sonoran subshrub and grassland community near Crocker Grade. The dark end of the homesteading period, shrubs are Mormon tea (Ephedra californica). and that recovery appears to be continuing today. tors, and in favorable years can be ers and it occurs in widely scattered One other tree that is seen oc- quite obvious and dramatic. Also locations all the way to the southern casionally is the Fremont cotton- abundant in some places is our lord’s end of the range. Twisselmann re- wood (Populus fremontii). There are candle (Yucca whipplei). ported that the Temblors held the no perennial streams in the Tem- only Kern County locations for coast blors, and only occasional springs, live oak (Q. agrifolia) and toyon so the occurrence of these cotton- THE TREES OF THE (Heteromeles arbutifolia). The coast woods is notable. They can be found TEMBLORS live oak is found in Chico Martinez along the few seasonal watercourses Canyon about four miles north of in the range, mainly in the north, As mentioned earlier, the Tem- Highway 58, and the toyon was and at an occasional spring or seep blors are relatively treeless. In the found by Don Bedell in upper Ce- elsewhere. When you spot one in a north, blue oaks and valley oaks can dar Canyon. canyon, it is worth making a special be found on hillsides and canyons Both of these locations appar- trip to see whether the water source about as far south as Highway 58 ently represent the most interior that is keeping it alive really amounts and McKittrick Summit. The Tucker locations for the two species in the to anything or not, since reliable oak then seems to replace the oth- Coast Ranges, and both were de- surface water is so rare. Generally,

18 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 it doesn’t, and the most reliable sources of water in the range are artificial, being water troughs for livestock installed by ranchers, or at the numerous wildlife guzzlers installed years ago by the Department of Fish and Game. There are, however, a few important natural water sources. One of the largest springs in the area is called Bitterwater Spring, located at the southern end of the range. When I visited there recently, I was rewarded by the sight of a few cottonwoods and willows, some old Tucker oaks on the hill- side above, and an extensive growth of mule fat (Baccharis viminea) that extended along a small, live water- Our lord’s candle (Yucca whipplei) near the Cochoro Ranch, with Eastwoodia elegans in course for about a half mile. This foreground. wet area abounded in quail and was very different from the dry, sere numerous ponds associated with the which traverses the Carrizo Plain. scrublands just a few yards away. fault are conspicuous. About two miles further south one Highway 58 goes over the again intersects Highway 166. middle of the Temblors and reaches All roads mentioned are suitable SEE FOR YOURSELF an elevation of over 3,200 feet. It is for passenger vehicles, although it is wooded for a short distance, with not advisable to drive the unpaved Should you decide to visit the interesting views especially of the roads during or immediately after Temblor Range, you will find it to Central Valley. But to get a real rainstorms. April is perhaps the best be a sparsely populated country con- sense of the Temblors one should month for wildflowers, but they can sisting of large ranches plus other travel Elkhorn Road. This unpaved be found from February through public lands west of the city of Taft, road parallels the Temblors for June. Once you have been through in addition to the land within about 30 miles in the Elkhorn Plain, the Temblors, and if your interest is Carrizo Plain National Monument. a smaller version of the Carrizo piqued like mine was, you can travel State Highway 46 crosses the north- Plain to the east that is also part of numerous roads suitable only for ern end of the range, Highway 58 the national monument. The road four-wheel-drive vehicles that will crosses the middle, and Highway travels into the foothills of the Tem- provide access to many remote parts 166 crosses at the southern end. To blors as well as the floor of the of the range. Then you can walk really experience the Temblors, Elkhorn Plain, and provides excel- some, enjoy the views and the wind, however, one must get off these lent views into the mountains. feel the solitude, and discover as I major roads and travel some of the About halfway down is the Crocker did that the ugly duckling is really a local roads. Bitterwater Road be- Grade, which crosses the Temblors thing of beauty after all. tween Highways 46 and 58 travels over to the towns of Fellows and through ranching country on the Taft. This road also affords a good west side of the Temblors, and a view of the mountains. REFERENCES few roads radiating from this road At the southern end of the penetrate into the range a bit. Elkhorn Plain, one can turn east Twisselmann, E.C. 1956. Flora of the Annette Road travels a few miles and proceed over Elkhorn Grade Temblor Range. Wassman Journal of into the Temblors, and Bitterwater Road to Highway 166. This road Biology 14:161–300. Valley Road cuts through at Cedar travels the Bitterwater Canyon (not —— 1967. A Flora of Kern County, Canyon, eventually connecting up the Bitterwater Valley or Bitter- California. Wassman Journal of Biol- again to Highway 46. It should be water Road mentioned earlier) and ogy 25:1–395. pointed out that while traveling affords a real feel of the desert-like along Bitterwater Road, one is trav- southern Temblors. One can also Neil Havlik, 672 Serrano Drive No. 11, eling along the San Andreas Fault, travel west for about three miles San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. nhavlik@ and the landslide topography and and connect to Soda Lake Road, slocity.org

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 19 Cypress forest on Guadalupe Island showing signs of goat herbivory. The islets Toro and Zapato are in the far distance. All photographs courtesy of Island Conservation unless otherwise noted. THE RESTORATION OF GUADALUPE ISLAND by Bradford Keitt, Steve Junak, Luciana Luna Mendoza, and Alfonso Aguirre

“Guadalupe is remarkable for ende- ing an extensive lichen flora and ing across the island in our own mism in the flora and fauna; but it is a important remnants of unique cloud of dust and exhaust, we’ve naturalist’s paradise despoiled by feral coastal scrub and island chaparral also wondered what lures us back goats, housecats, and mice. [The island] communities. year after year. Yet, just as the bar- is a Mexican national treasure in dire Guadalupe stirs a love-hate re- ren beauty of Guadalupe and the need of protection” (Moran 1996). lationship in those that have come excitement of finding rare and ex- to know its sere, rugged landscape. otic plants seduced Dr. Moran, we uadalupe Island rises like a Botanist Reid Moran, whose 40 too are captivated by the island’s Grampart from the wind- years of work on Guadalupe brought ecosystem. For that reason, we have whipped sea off the Pacific attention to its unique flora, called committed ourselves to protecting coast of the Baja California Penin- it his “very favorite island,” but he and restoring the remaining pock- sula. As the westernmost territory mused that “at too close a range it ets of its unique flora and fauna in Mexico, the 26,000 hectare is- has sometimes seemed a hot, ugly, with the hope that the island can land is a lonely outpost for a small weedy, insuperable rock pile that I eventually recover some of its origi- military garrison and a community have almost wondered, at least fleet- nal biodiversity. of about 70 fishermen and their ingly, why anyone in his right mind Thankfully, the political climate families. The island is home to over would subject himself to climbing in Mexico now exists to help this 30 plant taxa that are found no- it” (Moran 1998). dream become reality. Over the past where else in the world. It also sup- A primitive dirt road now makes decade Mexico has become a world ports several southern California traversing the island easier than it leader in the conservation of island ecosystems that are now rare or was for most of Dr. Moran’s ca- ecosystems, protecting more than 25 threatened on the continent, includ- reer, but after three hours of bounc- islands by removing damaging in-

20 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 troduced mammals, both predators and herbivores. With these successes in hand, the Mexican environmental ministry (SEMARNAT), the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, and Island Conservation are collabo- rating with several Mexican and US groups1 on an ambitious plan to restore Guadalupe, one of the largest and most biologically rich islands in the country. In this article we offer a glimpse of Guadalupe Island before the introduction of the non-native plants and animals that have radically al- tered the island’s ecosystems, and a brief tale of what has happened to those ecosystems over the past 120 years. We describe efforts initiated Palm trees on the far north end of Guadalupe Island. This area is among the hardest in 2001 to exclude goats from some hit by goats. In May 2005 Luciana Luna Mendoza found the first recorded palm of the most sensitive areas of the seedlings on the island since goats were introduced. island, and the early, promising results of those efforts. And based on pine forests blended into cypress jority of these plants are closely as- results from other islands, we look forest dominated by the endemic sociated with the islands off Cali- ahead to what might happen to Cupressus guadalupensis ssp. gua- fornia, Guadalupe is considered a Guadalupe’s vegetation and en- dalupensis. It is thought that this southern extension of the Califor- demic birds once the goat removal forest included associated shrubs nia Floristic Province. effort, which began in December like Ceanothus crassifolius and an un- Unfortunately, the island today 2004, is completed. described endemic Arctostaphylos taxon. EARLY Spreading south and downslope from these forests was an extensive DESCRIPTIONS OF coastal scrub and chaparral eco- THE ISLAND’S region, similar to the coast of south- VEGETATION ern California, yet with enough endemics to make it unique. Spe- Early descriptions of Guadalupe cies like the endemic Senecio palmeri, Island are few, but they paint a pic- a striking shrub with white foliage, ture of extensive shrublands, large Sphaeralcea palmeri, and Lotus argo- juniper forests, and impressive cy- phyllus ssp. ornithopus, plus more press, oak, pine, and palm forests. widespread species like Dichelo- The lush far-northern end of the stemma capitatum and Calystegia island was once blanketed with en- macrostegia ssp. macrostegia filled the demic pines (Pinus radiata var. landscape (all descriptions based on binata), island oaks (Quercus tomen- Moran 1996). Because the vast ma- tella), and endemic Guadalupe palms (the common southern California Top right: Senecio palmeri seedling. • landscaping tree Brahea edulis). Right: Senecio palmeri in flower, safely Shrubs at the north end included ensconced atop a cliff looking down 3,000 feet to the ocean. This species is called Ceanothus and Ribes, and endemic “white sage” by some, but belongs in the taxa such as the remarkable Hesper- groundsel genus, and is a member of the alcea palmeri. Moving southwards, sunflower family.

1 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Secretaria Marina, CICESE, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Seacology.

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 21 eral decades, techniques have been developed to remove goats from islands. At present, goats have been successfully removed from more than 100 islands worldwide in efforts to protect biodiversity and restore island ecosystems (Campbell et al. 2004). The results of these removals have been dramatic and positive even on the most devastated islands.

RESTORATION EFFORTS ON GUADALUPE

The first steps in the restoration effort on the island were to inventory existing plant species and Pine exclosure fences with Ceanothus and Calystegia inside. build a series of fences (exclosures) to exclude goats from sensitive is very different from that described have apparently gone extinct, while areas. In June 2001, Island Conser- by the handful of naturalists who numerous natives have disappeared vation, Grupo de Ecología y Con- visited it before introduced goats from the island. Many other species servación de Islas, Santa Barbara and cats caused widespread devasta- have become restricted to a few small Botanic Garden, and the Instituto tion. Between 1885 and 1905 visi- populations clinging to sheer cliffs Nacional de Ecología sent a team tors documented the destruction of and other areas inaccessible to goats. to survey the island and mark loca- the Ceanothus, Juniperus, and many This habitat destruction, combined tions for fences (Junak et al. in press). of the endemic shrub species (Moran with predation by introduced cats, A rugged group of ranchers from 1996). Over the ensuing 100 years also led to the extinction of six en- Sonora then overcame incredible the island has become largely de- demic bird species, including the logistical obstacles to transport 2 void of vegetation across extensive Guadalupe caracara, the Guadalupe km’s worth of fencing materials to areas. Several endemic plant species kinglet, and the Guadalupe storm- remote parts of the island and build petrel (Jehl and Everett 1985, Keitt 12 fenced exclosures. This was an A Ceanothus plant inside and a dead pine et al. in press). amazing feat made even more he- outside an exclosure. This is the first This kind of destruction has be- roic considering that there is no Ceanothus reported on the island in over come a familiar story played out on dock at Guadalupe, and everything 100 years. islands everywhere—introduced had to be hand loaded into small species wreaking havoc on fragile open boats to transport it from a insular ecosystems that have evolved Mexican Navy ship to the island. in the absence of terrestrial preda- Once on the island, the majority of tors and large herbivores (Coblentz the gear had to be carried by horses 1978). Goats are especially devas- to sites many miles from any road. tating and are considered “the single The main goals of this effort were most destructive herbivore” of is- to see what species grew up in the land ecosystems. Because they can absence of goat herbivory and try survive on almost no water and will to protect some critically endan- eat virtually anything, including bark gered species long enough to en- and roots, goats can kill not only able them to reproduce. grasses and shrubs, but also adult Plant response inside the ex- trees. Their ability to literally strip closures was rapid and positive. In the landscape bare eventually leads January 2002, after only one grow- to soil and substrate destruction. ing season, 47 seedlings of the en- Fortunately, over the past sev- demic pine had sprouted inside one

22 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 of the exclosures built around nine of this Ceanothus have been discov- adult pine trees. It is estimated there ered around the southernmost pines are 220 adult pine trees on the is- on the island. land (Rogers et al. 2003), so this one We have also made exciting dis- growing season produced a greater coveries outside of the exclosures. than 20% increase in the number of In June 2001 we found Calamintha pines on the island. By June 2003, (Satureja) palmeri in small patches the number of seedlings inside two around the north end of the island. of the exclosures was up to 231 and This mint family member was first by April 2005, about 1,700 young described in 1876 and had not been pines had been counted. seen since 1885, leading Moran Perhaps the most amazing dis- (1996) to consider it “undoubtedly covery inside the exclosures was that extinct.” Also in June 2001 Nicoti- of a small Ceanothus. Another mem- ana attenuata, a native species last ber of this genus, C. perplexans, was seen in 1898 and considered ex- collected on the island by early bo- tinct on the island, was found un- tanical visitors (D. Wilken, pers. der the cypress trees at the high comm., 2005) but has not been seen north end of the island and pro- there since the late 1800s. Early tected with a fenced exclosure. examination of this Ceanothus seed- The striking “white sage,” Sene- ling indicates that this is a new spe- cio palmeri, is a Guadalupe endemic cies for the island, closely resem- that once covered large areas of the bling C. arboreus. However, the island but has not been seen on the leaves on this plant are different island since 1974, and even then enough to suggest that this could was known from only a few indi- possibly be an undescribed endemic viduals in inaccessible cliff areas. A field of island poppies (Eschscholzia subspecies. Between May 2004 and To our great delight, in April 2004, ramosa). Inset: Closeup of Eschscholzia April 2005, four additional juveniles we discovered a healthy population palmeri, which is endemic to Guadalupe of more than 50 Senecio palmeri in- Island. Photograph by R. Henry. dividuals, many in flower, on cliffs along the west side of the island. the main island, was discovered in Giant coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea), spring 2005 at a remote beach area common on the offshore islets of at the south end of the island. Likely Guadalupe but never reported on a favorite food of goats, this species

Above: Laysan albatross on Islote Zapato amidst giant coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea). Common on the offshore islets, Luciana Luna Mendoza discovered the first speci- men of Coreopsis gigantea ever recorded on the main island. Probably once abundant, this species was rapidly wiped out as a favorite food of the goats. • Right: Laysan albatross family on Islote Negro with the succulent Cistanthe guadalupensis in the foreground. Photographs by R. Henry.

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 23 may have been very common across edly take some time before the is- the south end of the island but dis- land is completely free of goats. In appeared before botanists ever the meantime, the island is already reached the island. recovering dramatically; plants Amazingly, in good years some (both native and non-native) are native taxa can still dominate even growing up and providing much in areas accessible to goats. Follow- needed protection against erosion ing heavy winter rains, the spring across large parts of the island. An- of 2003 saw whole mountainsides nuals are surviving long enough to blanketed with blooming island go to seed, and perennial and shrub poppies (Eschscholzia ramosa), and species are spreading out into areas fields blue with the flowering stalks formerly overrun with goats. of blue dicks (Dichelostemma capi- Restoring vegetation will have tatum). far-reaching impacts on Guadalupe Luciana Luna Mendoza and Clokey’s Discoveries such as these are Island’s ecosystem. An example is nightshade (Solanum clokeyi) inside an helping establish momentum to- the change in precipitation due to exclosure in the cypress forest. This Sola- num has peculiar clonal growth habits wards restoring Guadalupe Island. destruction of the island’s forests. compared with other nightshades on the After an extended planning period, At 26,000 hectares, Guadalupe is Channel Islands, and may be a unique goat eradication efforts began in slightly larger than Santa Cruz Is- taxon. summer 2004. Presently goat popu- land off southern California, but is lations are so low that they are hav- considerably drier except near the and pine forest caught the fog and ing little detectable impact over top of its 1,300 meter peak, where increased precipitation. As the goats most of the island. The few remain- the nearly constant northwest winds have devastated the forests there ing goats are confined to steep in- drive clouds up and over the ridge. has been much less water capture, accessible cliffs, and it will undoubt- Previously, the extensive cypress and only one main spring now re- mains on the island. Pine seedlings growing inside a fenced exclosure. Over 1,700 seedlings have been Although it is impossible to counted. These are perhaps the first seedlings to reach this size since goats were first know exactly what will happen to introduced to the island. the vegetation on Guadalupe Island when goats are removed, the data from our exclosures and the rapid changes we are seeing outside the exclosures now that goat numbers are reduced indicate that the ben- efits to native plants will be dramatic. Another place we can turn to learn about the potential future for Guadalupe’s plants is the Channel Islands off Southern California— the islands most floristically similar to Guadalupe. On San Clemente Island, where goats were eradicated in 1992, the initial response was a flush of non-native grasses. How- ever, over time native species began prospering and in some areas they now dominate the landscape. Although we may not be able to predict exactly what will happen to the island’s vegetation, we do know that removing goats from Guadalupe Island is already having dramatic results and will be more effective than any other action to prevent the extinction of the majority of the island’s

24 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 REFERENCES GUADALUPE ISLAND BIOSPHERE RESERVE Campbell, K., C.J. Donlan, F. Cruz, n order to protect Guadalupe Island forever, Island Conservation and V. Carrion. 2004. Eradication Iand the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas partnered with of feral goats Capra hircus from Pinta the Mexican federal government (SEMARNAT and CONANP), Island, Galápagos, Ecuador. Oryx 38:328–333. the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), and the local fishing cooperative to Coblentz, B.E. 1978. The effects of develop a proposal to create a federally protected area that includes feral goats (Capra hircus) on island Guadalupe Island and the surrounding marine region. In April 2005 ecosystems. Biological Conservation Mexican President Vicente Fox signed into law the decree, officially 13:279-285. creating the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve. This means the Jehl, J.R. and W.T. Everett. 1985. His- conservation of Guadalupe Island will be forever monitored under tory and status of the avifauna of Isla the watchful eye of the Mexican Natural Protected Areas system. To Guadalupe, Mexico. Transactions of learn more about the decree, visit www.islandconservation.org. the San Diego Society of Natural His- tory 20:313-336. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Junak, S., B. Keitt, L.L. Mendoza, A. Aguirre, B. Tershy, and D. Croll. In ou can support the conservation work on Guadalupe and the press. Recent conservation efforts and notes on the current status of Yother islands off the Baja California Peninsula by making a tax the flora of Guadalupe Island, Baja deductible donation to Island Conservation. Island Conservation is California, Mexico. In: Santos del an action-oriented organization dedicated to the protection of is- Prado, G.K, and E. Peters (Eds). land life. Together with our partner organizations Grupo de Ecología Taller Sobre la Restauración y Conser- y Conservación de Islas in Mexico and Island Conservation Canada, vación de Isla Guadalupe: Memorias. we have eradicated damaging invasive animals from 27 islands in Instituto Nacional de Ecología. western North America. While Guadalupe Island is our most im- México, D.F. portant project to date, the results described here are similar to Keitt, B., R.W. Henry, A. Aguirre, those we have found on some of the other 27 islands we have worked C. Garcia, L.L. Mendoza, M.A. on. For example, on the San Benito Islands, the endemic live- Hermosillo, B. Tershy, and D. forever, Dudleya linearis, appeared to be extinct in the wild due to Croll. In press. Impacts of intro- overgrazing by invasive European rabbits. Once the rabbits were duced cats (Felis catus) on the eradicated, the Dudleya came back from the seed bank and, along Guadalupe Island ecosystem. In: with the other native plants, is now flourishing. Please send tax Santos del Prado, G.K, and E. deductible donations to: Island Conservation, 100 Shaffer Road, Peters (Eds). Taller Sobre la Res- Center for Ocean Health, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Or visit our web- tauración y Conservación de Isla Guadalupe: Memorias. Instituto site to donate online: www.islandconservation.org. Nacional de Ecología. México, D.F. Moran, R. 1996. The Flora of Guadalupe endemic plant species and, in turn, seeing the beginnings of what we Island, Mexico. California Academy the loss of the remaining endemic hope will be a process of recovery of Sciences, San Francisco, CA. birds that depend on those plants. that will repeat itself across the en- Moran, R. 1998. Guadalupe Island and While the damage to Guadalupe’s tire island. its flora. Fremontia 26:3-12. ecosystem is significant, the obser- Rogers, D., J. Vargas-Hernández, A. Matheson, and J. Guerra-Santos. vations of rare and presumed extinct 2003. Conserving the pines of plants over the past four years dem- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Guadalupe and Cedros Islands, onstrate that many pieces of the México: An international collabora- island’s unique biotic puzzle still ex- We wish to thank Reid Moran, tion. In: Romero, A. and S. West, ist. It is now a question of whether Miguel Angel Hermosillo, Francisco (Eds). Environmental Issues in Latin these pieces can again be connected. Casillas, Teniente Luz Maria Salas America. University of Wisconsin Inside the fenced exclosures, where Flores, Robert Whitehouse, Karina Press, Madison, WI. pine seedlings are growing up out of Santos del Prado Gasca, Eduardo the shade of their dead and fallen Peters, Marlenne Rodriguez, Anto- Bradford Keitt, Island Conservation, Uni- neighbors, recovery of the native nio Villalejos, Martha Brown, versity of California LML, 100 Shaffer vegetation is well underway. On the S.C.C.P. Abuloneros y Langosteros, Road COH, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. rest of the island, we are already and the Switzer Family Foundation. bkeitt@ islandconservation.org

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 25 MUSING ON LEAF AND TWIG: NOTES ON WINTER PRUNING OF NATIVE TREES Dan Songster

he first winds of winter swirl Tinto the garden, pushing the rattling, paper-thin leaves of the sycamore back and forth like the pulse of a tide, depositing them in piles against boulders and shrubs, returning later to collect them for another dance. The smaller leaves and debris are sent scampering about the garden floor like children with too much energy. In the wind above, the leaves still clinging to the Fre- mont poplar politely applaud their antics and later these spectators also fall, becoming part of the moving mulch show. The willows and the mesa oaks bend quietly in the winds as the large California lilacs pepper the soil beneath with a dark sprin- California buckeye (Aesculus californica) in spring bloom. Often a large shrub, this one kling of seeds from their swaying is well on its way to becoming a small tree after being “lifted” a few months earlier. branches. Birds fly in quickly, snap- All photographs by the author. ping up the seed. The sky darkens. The seasonal changes in a native ing this seasonal mood swing in the ning, but mainly to allow its under- garden are dynamic and a pleasure native garden at Golden West Col- story neighbors more space and to observe and be immersed in. lege in southern California, winter light. Over in the very driest corner While I do enjoy contemplat- months are also a practical time for of the garden, the desert willow pruning the trees there. After all, (Chilopsis linearis) stands without leaf Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) with by November most of the leaves just two months after being the cen- light bloom in July. Six months ago it have fallen from the garden’s de- ter of attention with its bright fall stood without leaf, ready for a gentle hand ciduous trees, revealing their vari- blossoms of cranberry and pearl. to tip back overreaching branches and remove a bit of clutter. ous branching structures and prun- Now its rather jumbled branch pat- ing needs. The evergreens take tern is revealed, and loppers and pruning most kindly in the cooler hand pruners help with a little un- winter months when their growth tangling and a light tipping back. A has slowed greatly. Winter pruning sharp handsaw is used to lift the of most flowering species interferes skirt and a few crossing branches the least with their lovely floral show of the six-year-old California buck- just a few months away! Winter is eyes (Aesculus californica). This grants also a slower season for garden more space to the spicebush (Caly- chores and provides more time to canthus occidentalis) living beneath carefully attend to this important but also promotes upward growth, and gratifying work. encouraging these particular plants Glancing around the garden I to be small trees rather than broad see the sycamore (Platanus racemosa) shrubs. The fern-leaved Catalina will need some thinning this year; ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus) too many interior branches, cross- is now old enough to have its lower ing and cluttering. The white alder branches removed, displaying the (Alnus rhombifolia) also needs thin- beautiful cinnamon colored, shred-

26 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 a pleasure on a quiet morning. The veal the squawbush (Rhus trilobata) wood is soft and in a half hour the spreading beneath. Leaving the job is done and the mockingbirds lower branches on promotes sec- return to glean the last of the dry- ondary growth and a thicker, stron- ing berries. ger trunk. This is also the proper Of course, not everything needs course for our rather young valley pruning. The incense cedar (Calo- oak (Quercus lobata) and big-leaf cedrus decurrens) is tall and full, quite maple (Acer macrophyllum). Leaving possibly the most perfect green in the lower branches simply increases any garden, and needs nothing. the trunk girth and eventual Next to it stands the old western strength of the trees. redbud (Cercis occidentalis) that was It seems particularly true with gently thinned and lightly headed native trees that pruning promotes back last year. Its multi-trunk form a conscious direction of growth. No has certainly improved, and it is severe topping or shearing, please! now more compact and less likely A branch is cut only after envision- Fern-leaved Catalina ironwood (Lyono- to lose a heavy branch in the winter ing what the absence of that living thamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius) winds as it did last year. We look part will mean for the plant. All has lovely flowers, dark green foliage, and when lower branches are removed, forward to its thick show of cherry cuts should have a good reason for displays distinctive cinnamon-colored, pink flowers this spring. The pun- being made and are best accom- ribbon-like bark. gent California bay (Umbellularia plished when the tree is young. californica) needs no work, and nei- These small cuts gently direct ding bark. The fountain or water ther does the 30-year-old Catalina growth and do not severely wound birch (Betula occidentalis) has several cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii) the tree. Large cuts on mature trees, suckers shooting up from the base— near the amphitheater. The Califor- however cleanly made, are to be perhaps a normal event in the wild, nia walnut (Juglans californica) can avoided if at all possible. Prune for but not desirable in the garden. wait another year or two before the tree health, strength, and shape/ Several cuts with sharp and clean lowest branches are removed to re- structure, and less often for imag- loppers eliminates the unwanted growth and the plant’s energies are Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) seldom needs more than a slight lifting or occasional once again directed gracefully up- small branch removed. Structural pruning for its adult shape should be done when the ward. tree is young. Avoid large cuts on mature trees if at all possible. Another gust of wind sweeps through, pulling at the leaves of the coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), causing a few to spill into the deer- grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) beneath. Although evergreen, the canopy seasonally thins and I can now see it could use a bit of gentle tennis shoe climbing to take out some small interior branches which have died—a natural event in a 30 year old live oak. Corrective pruning is done to help our small blue oak (Quercus douglasii) whose leader was snapped two years ago. Another branch shows energy and promise, and a few small cuts help ensure the direction the tree will take. Nearby, an elderberry (Sambucus sp.) reveals its unruly habit, with multiple trunks producing a mass of arching and crossing branches in real need of sorting out. Pruning is

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 27 ined aesthetic reasons. It is very easy mostly passed, we watch as leaf buds to damage a tree, however noble burst into that fresh, vital green of your intentions. (If you feel unsure early spring. It is then we begin to of your skills ask the advice of a see the results of our careful efforts trusted arborist, especially one fa- during the early winter. The sy- miliar with native trees). I especially camore (Platanus racemosa), which take my time when working with had its crossing branches removed, slow growing, less forgiving hard- will have dappled light penetrating woods like oaks. It takes them quite through the canopy, allowing more a while to recover from any “wrong” air to circulate and possibly slowing cuts. mildew and other fungal problems. Later, long after the once danc- The coffeeberry (Rhamnus califor- ing leaves have been deposited in nica) and Douglas iris (Iris douglas- the compost pile and the rains have iana) beneath the alder will enjoy

Some trees rarely need any form of pruning, like incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). Perhaps after a decade or two some light lifting of lower foliage may help, and then that’s it.

Top: Blue elderberry (Sambucas mexi- cana) needs some work sorting out this clutter. Branches tend to send off a lot of sucker growth that can easily be cleaned out annually with loppers and a small tree saw. • Bottom: Dead branches, due to fungal problems, of young madrone (Arbutus menziesii), that need removing. Older trees can use a bit of canopy thinning to best show off beautiful bark color and interesting branching structure.

the added light once it is thinned. The elderberry will explode into leaf, looking sturdier and more bal- anced since our winter work. The buckeye and ironwood will have the higher canopies we wanted, and the blue oak will emerge a tree on the mend. Slowly the garden matures, and season after season we learn more about our trees and how best to treat them. Perhaps we learn from a friend’s advice, a particular talk in a symposium, or from an evening’s quiet reading. With time, it is more likely we learn from the trees themselves and their response to our hopeful attention.

Dan Songster, 23522 Cavanaugh Road, El Toro, CA 92630. [email protected]

28 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FELLOWS: LIZ PARSONS AND BOB SOOST by the CNPS Fellows Nominating Committee, Reny Parker, and Bob Hass

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Board of Directors and Chap- ter Council have named Bob Soost, Liz Parsons, and Malcolm McLeod Fel- lows for the year 2005. This honor is conferred upon individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the organization’s success and to the appreciation and conservation of Cali- fornia native flora. The tributes to Liz Parsons and Bob Soost appear below; that for Malcolm McLeod appeared in the January 2005 issue of Fremontia (Volume 34 (1):30-31).

LIZ PARSONS

n 1972 Liz was browsing in a ISebastopol bookstore when she came across a book written by someone with her name—Mary Elizabeth Parsons. Even though she was not particularly interested in the subject of the book—The Wild- flowers of California—she bought the book because of the name coinci- dence. The first wildflower that she Liz Parsons holding up her work-in-progress at the Milo Baker Chapter’s annual identified with the book was the wreath-making workshop in December 2004, which she led. Photograph by G. Hundt. exotic filaree (Erodium cicutarium). She has now identified many more and encouraged all of the students to co-chair the sale. She worked wildflowers by exploring the world to attend the meetings. The botany with many co-chairs and by 1988 that this book opened up to her. course was taught in Baker Hall, was the sole coordinator of the sale. When she purchased the book, named after Milo Baker who had Records for the sales are rather she was enrolled in a horticulture taught botany at the Junior College sketchy; however, at the 5th annual class at the Santa Rosa Junior Col- for over 30 years. sale in 1976 the gross sales were lege (SRJC), and she was in the Liz began attending CNPS $1,516 with $1,020 net. Sales con- process of adjusting to her new Cali- meetings and started to apply her tinued to improve until in the year fornia home. In 1971, at the age of horticultural training to the chal- 2000 the chapter had the best year 30, she had moved to Sonoma lenge of growing native plants. She ever with $12,760 gross after taxes County and was intrigued by the constructed a small greenhouse and and $10,223 net. new wild plants. They were all so was soon experimenting with an- Under Liz’s guidance the plant different from those she knew in nuals, perennials, and shrubs. She sale has evolved. In the beginning her native Illinois. In 1975 she en- particularly remembers her success many sale plants were the result of rolled in Steve Barnhart’s SRJC with Penstemon spectabilis. She be- salvage activities. Liz has fostered field botany class. Steve’s assistant, gan volunteering to work at the strong and continuing relation- Nancy Harrison, was president of chapter plant sale. It was only a ships with native plant nurseries in the Milo Baker Chapter of CNPS matter of time before she was asked Sonoma County including Califor-

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 29 nia Flora, Mostly Natives, and A popular and unique program joined a group that had been moni- Shooting Star. Four potting work- that she developed is Transect toring rare plants for the Point shops are held every year and mem- Across Sonoma County. Liz uses Reyes National Seashore. After Vir- bers grow these plants until the Oc- slides from the Milo Baker Chapter ginia Norris’s untimely death in tober sale. Liz is constantly striving slide library to illustrate the nine 1997, Bob took over as leader of the to improve the selection of natives Sonoma County habitats one would group which meets on Fridays most that are sold at the sale and to in- encounter as one traveled across the of the year. crease her own knowledge of the county from the seaside in the west Bob has been a strong advocate native flora. to the chaparral in the east where for plants by contributing to con- Although she received a B.A. Sonoma County joins Napa County. servation plans, writing well-re- from the University of Illinois in Liz has served the chapter in searched letters, and attending pub- 1963, she continued her studies of publicity, hospitality, and as presi- lic meetings. At various times over horticulture at the Santa Rosa Jun- dent (1984-86). She has been a mov- the past 18 years, he has repre- ior College for many years taking ing spirit of the Milo Baker Chap- sented CNPS at no fewer than one to two courses a year. Plant ter for 30 years and an enduring seven organizations, including the propagation, landscape design, land- source of energy, good humor, and Marin Environmental Alliance, scape maintenance, pruning Japa- enthusiasm. Marin-Sonoma Weed Manage- nese maples, irrigation design, and ment Area, and the Fire Manage- pest management are some of the ment Plan for Point Reyes National courses that she completed. BOB SOOST Seashore. In May 1991 California Garden Since 1997, Bob has served as Clubs, Inc. awarded Liz a special ob Soost, a CNPS Marin the chapter representative on the award for “Plant Propagator of the BCounty Chapter member, Marin Environmental Alliance. In Year.” This award was in recogni- has been active in the Soci- 1998, he represented CNPS at a tion of her successful propagation ety since 1987, working energeti- Coastal Dunes Guild Workshop of California native plants from cally in multiple capacities on be- and a meeting on the Sierra Ne- seeds and from cuttings. half of the chapter. His initial in- vada Framework for National For- As she learned about California volvement began in 1987 when he ests. Starting in 1999, he has ac- native plants and horticulture in general, she enjoyed sharing this Wilma Follette, Bob Soost, and Jean Soost at the presentation of Bob’s CNPS Fellow knowledge with the public. She has award. Photograph by W. Elliot. published many articles in the Milo Baker Chapter newsletter, wrote a gardening column for her local paper, The Kenwood Press, and wrote and illustrated articles for the Bulle- tin of the California Horticultural So- ciety in San Francisco. For 18 years Liz has been culti- vating California natives in her Kenwood garden. These plants are the source of cuttings, seeds, and divisions that go to the plant sale. This is also where she learned about the habits of the plants that she wrote about and propagates. Liz has presented many programs for the chapter. Every De- cember she organizes a popular wreath-making workshop. She has also given programs on gardening with natives, organized panel dis- cussions with local native plant experts, and presented a slide show on Pacific Coast native iris.

30 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 tively represented the Marin Chap- Park General Management Plan In 1996 he represented the chapter at Marin-Sonoma Weed Man- and the Coast Plan portion of the ter in a joint arrangement with Pt. agement Area meetings, and has County General Plan. He also Reyes National Seashore to pro- been an active participant in the wrote a letter in support of the duce a booklet with photographs of fire management plan for Pt. Reyes Marin Municipal Water District’s flowers of the Seashore. He also National Seashore following the application for funds to restore the served as chapter representative at immense fire there. Cataract Trail on Mt. Tamalpais. a Monterey meeting on “Dune Res- Bob has written letters and at- Over the years he has also some- toration” in cooperation with the tended meetings advocating the how found time to write well-re- San Francisco Book Festival. For Bayfront Corridor Open Space searched letters of support or op- the past several years Bob has helped Plan, as well as a county tree ordi- position to numerous legislative with annual vegetation surveys at nance opposing the unnecesary re- measures in Sacramento. Pt. Reyes National Seashore. moval of native trees. On behalf of More recently he has become Over the years he has also man- the chapter, Bob wrote to the Marin involved in fundraising, helping to aged to find time to contribute ar- County Open Space District ex- secure monies for trail restoration ticles to the chapter newsletter, pressing opposition to bicycles on on Mt. Tamalpais, assisting with a regularly lead hikes for the Marin single-track trails, and to the grant application for a plant data- Chapter and occasionally for other Presidio Trust and Golden Gate base to be hosted by the Marin chapters, and grow plants for the National Recreation Area Advisory County Open Space District, and chapter’s annual plant sale. Cur- Committee urging adoption of the writing in support of a proposal for rently Bob is devoting much time preferred alternative vegetation eradication work to be coordinated and correspondence addressing the management plan. by the local weed management area. possible extinction of rare-listed In 2000, at the request of the From1995 to 2001 Bob served Delphinium bakeri caused by road West Marin Environmental Action as president of the Marin Chapter, crews fighting a wildfire along the Committee, Bob drafted the “Bio- during which time he also repre- Marshall-Petaluma Road last fall. logical Resources” section for com- sented the chapter at State Board At the December 2003 State ments on the Draft EIR requested meetings, and continues to do so as Board meeting Bob was presented by the County for the Lawson’s chapter delegate. He also served with a plaque recognizing “his clear Landing (Dillon Beach) proposed on a review of the 1999 State CNPS thinking and unwavering support septic system. In 2001, he attended budget. The September 2004 State for the protection of California’s a hearing and wrote comments on Board meeting at Walker Creek remarkable flora.” proposed changes to the County Ranch was largely organized by Development Code affecting agri- Bob, along with representatives CNPS Fellows Nominating Committee, cultural lands. This past spring he from the Milo Baker, Napa, and CNPS 2707 K Street, Suite 1, Sacra- worked on the Tomales Bay State Yerba Buena chapters. mento, CA 95816. [email protected]

NOTES AND COMMENTS

APPRECIATION TO tract policies; a new Development Britting will be serving as the interim PAM MUICK Program; and revitalized programs Executive Director. for Rare Plant, Horticulture, and Carol Witham Pamela C. Muick, PhD, Executive CNPS Press, including several new CNPS President Director, has left the California Na- publications. tive Plant Society (CNPS) to take a Pam is particularly pleased that she well-deserved sabbatical, culminating was able to visit more than half of the PRESIDIO nine years of serving as a non-profit chapters in their home ecosystems; THOUGHTFULLY executive director. At CNPS, work- she plans to continue giving oak talks STEWARDED ing closely with volunteers and staff, to chapters upon request. CNPS Pam dedicated herself to implement- thanks Pam for all of her contribu- A recent letter to the editor on ing the strategic plan. A few high- tions, and wishes her the best in her revegetation at the Presidio’s Inspira- lights of CNPS accomplishments future endeavors. tion Point (Fremontia, Volume 33, No. during her three-year tenure include: A search for the next Executive 2; April 2005) brought up the issue of a revised budgeting and accounting Director is progressing; in the mean- using nursery stock in rare plant habi- system; new employment and con- time, past CNPS President Sue tat, and the value of serpentine seeps

VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 FREMONTIA 31 and wetland areas. These are very good native perennial grasses and forbs into other time in its recorded history. points, worthy of much discussion. soil that existed below the eucalyptus The letter also stated there was an The letter neglected, however, to men- duff layer—not into a “serpentine rock effort to “shunt water off the serpen- tion important details that would have surface.” The Presidio nursery grew tine area” but failed to accurately iden- put the project into proper context. plants from seeds and cuttings gath- tify the source of water in question— The two acres referred to in the let- ered within the Inspiration Point wa- a channelized storm water drainage ter had been, up until October of 2000, tershed, insuring maintenance of the ditch. The drain was utilized tempo- a 60 year-old stand of non-native trees site’s genetic integrity. These plants rarily to prevent erosion during ma- composed primarily of blue gum (Eu- have never been planted into the adja- jor storm events. It redirected road calyptus globulus) with an understory cent intact grassland that supports the runoff, not groundwater, a short dis- dominated by French broom (Genista main population of the endangered tance along the contour of the slope monspessulana) and other invasive spe- Presidio clarkia (Clarkia franciscana). to prevent slope failure. cies—far from the “rich grassland Less than two years after initial Terri Thomas where Clarkia franciscana once grew.” plantings, Presidio clarkia has self-es- Director of Cultural and Natural In the fall of 2000, the Presidio Trust tablished in the restored serpentine Resources, The Presidio Trust and National Park Service initiated a area and has continued to expand each project to reveal the serpentine char- year. In addition, a population census Daphne Hatch acteristics of this site. Workers re- of Presidio clarkia conducted in May Chief, Natural Resources and Sci- moved the accumulated duff layer un- 2005 found it to be more numerous ence, Golden Gate National Recrea- der the blue gum stand and planted in the intact grassland than at any tion Area, National Park Service BOOK REVIEW

California’s Wild Gardens: A tion by Robert Ornduff. University of merous color photographs, soft cover. Guide to Favorite Botanical Sites, California Press, Second Printing, Price $34.95. edited by Phyllis M. Faber; Introduc- 2005. 236 pages, 9 x 11-3/4 inches, nu- This publication was produced

32 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:4, OCTOBER 2005 Please Join Today! CNPS member gifts allows us to promote and protect California’s native plants and their habitats. Gifts are tax-deductible minus the $12 of the total gift which goes toward publication of Fremontia and the CNPS Bulletin.

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Card Number TOTAL ENCLOSED: Exp. date Signature ❏ Enclosed is a matching gift form provided by my employer Phone ❏ I would like information on planned giving Email Please make your check payable to “CNPS” and send to: California Native Plant Society, 2707 K Street, Suite 1, Sacramento, CA 95816-5113. Phone (916) 447-2677; fax (916) 447-2727; www.cnps.org. jointly by the California Native Plant site’s flowers, but also something about Society (CNPS) and the California that site’s geology and ecology. And if MATERIALS FOR Department of Fish and Game and has the reader peruses the first 37 pages PUBLICATION value at several levels. Not only does in the introductory chapter he will Members and others are invited the subject appeal to the natural in- have a real appreciation for how pre- to submit material for publication stincts of members of CNPS but it cious, and often threatened, each of in Fremontia. Instructions for goes further. It is an annotated guide these wild gardens is. contributors can be found on the to places suitable of being called bo- Upper Newport Bay Salt Marsh is CNPS website, www.cnps.org, or tanical jewels in California’s crown. an example of a site in an urbanized can be requested from Fremontia Eighty-four sites are presented in area. Knowledge of the subtle zona- Editor, Linda Ann Vorobik, logical geographic and ecologic or- tion of its marshy vegetation will add [email protected], or c/o der introducing the reader, and the to the understanding of those who pass University and Jepson Herbaria, traveler, to the features of these spe- by on a daily basis, and may prompt 1001 Valley Life Sciences Bldg. cial places. Publication was partially some to stop for a closer look. Santa #2465, University of California, spurred by a concern over increas- Monica Mountains is another example Berkeley, CA 94720-2465. ing encroachment of urbanization of an urban-surrounded wild garden into areas surrounding many of these that offers visitors much to experience gardens. and enjoy. FREMONTIA EDITORIAL Just as newly arrived residents need The images in this book will surely ADVISORY BOARD to learn the location of the post office inspire readers to learn more about and grocery store, this book could these native gardens; more than 100 Susan D’Alcamo, Ellen Dean, serve as a guide to the features of their native plant species are featured. The Kathleen Dickey, Phyllis M. surrounding landscape. This insight design presents the colorful photos Faber, Holly Forbes, Pam will hopefully stimulate their desire to with skill and taste which, combined Muick, Bart O’Brien, John Saw- learn more and to develop a caring at- with quality printing, causes me to yer, Jim Shevock, Teresa Sholars, titude for their new home territory. think of this as every bit as artful as Nevin Smith, Dieter Wilken, Although only provided with the best coffee table book. John Willoughby, Carol W. glimpses of these wild gardens, the Norden H. (Dan) Cheatham Witham, Darrell Wright reader will learn not only about each East Bay Chapter

VOLUME 33:3, JULY 2005 FREMONTIAFREMONTIA 3 FROM THE EDITOR

utumn is here, and the year of gram. These articles describe addi- Our native plant gardening article A celebrating the 40th Anniver- tional ways our organization works to is written by Dan Songster, who with sary of the California Native educate and influence others to under- words leads us through the garden and Plant Society (CNPS) draws to a close stand the value of native plants and shares with us what he has learned in Fremontia with the final installment their natural habitats, and thus help pruning natives. This Fremontia issue of articles on chapters, which includes protect them. closes with an article on two of this chapters from the northern portion of The next two articles enlighten the year’s CNPS Fellows: Liz Parsons and the state. If you missed the first three reader about two different geographic Bob Soost. Their wonderful contribu- installments of these articles, don’t for- areas: In the first, Neil Havlik shares tions are much appreciated. get that past issues of Fremontia are his intimate knowledge of the Tem- Not-the-end note: this should have available at www.cnps.org (under Pub- blor Range, the innermost of the cen- been my final issue of Fremontia, but lications, then Fremontia) in PDF for- tral coast ranges. Bradford Keitt and the Society still searches for a new mat. Copies of the issue which include co-authors describe restoration work editor. Come forth, you crafty turner your chapter’s write-up might be sent on Guadalupe Island, located in of phrase, tenacious hunter of typos, to prospective new members as part Mexico, but part of the California and tireless herder of production of an invitation to join the Society. Floristic Province. The authors pro- team! Send letters of interest to the This issue’s articles about CNPS vide an intriguing picture of the CNPS office. state programs include one on CNPS island’s flora and tell an environmen- Linda Ann Vorobik Press and one on the Legislative Pro- tal success story. Fremontia Editor CONTRIBUTORS

Alfonso Aguirre is the executive direcor of the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas in Ensenada, Mexico.

Holly Forbes co-director of the California Native Plant

Address Service Requested Service Address

Sacramento, CA 95816-5113 CA Sacramento, 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Suite Street, K 2707 Society (CNPS) Press, and works at the University of Cali- Society Plant Native California fornia Botanical Garden, Berkeley. Vern Goehring is the CNPS legislative advocate. Bob Hass is the Fremontia copy editor, CNPS Bulletin editor, and conservation co-chair for the Milo Baker Chapter. Neil Havlik, PhD, is a long-time former resident of the Bay Area and CNPS member since 1967. Neil is currently the Natural Resources Manager for the City of San Luis Obispo. Steve Junak is an expert on the flora of the California Is- lands and works for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Bradford Keitt is a biologist with the non-profit Island Conservation. Trained in marine ornithology, Guadalupe Island has opened his eyes to the wonders of native plant restoration. Luciana Luna Mendoza works for the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas in Ensenada, Mexico. She is director of the Guadalupe Island Restoration Project.

Gail Millican is co-director of CNPS Press, and works at Postage U.S.

Permit # 3729 # Permit Nonprofit Org. Nonprofit

the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. CA Oakland, PAID Reny Parker is president of the Milo Baker Chapter and a wildflower photographer. Dan Songster is co-director of the Golden West College Native Garden in Huntington Beach, Orange County.

4 FREMONTIA VOLUME 33:3, JULY 2005