President’s Message,
December 2024

Western sycamores on Sacramento River. D. Burk.
Western sycamores, Platanus racemosa, in full fall glory, off-trail in Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area, along the Sacramento River. Photo taken November 17, 2024, by Don Burk.

A huge thanks to all of our members and friends who supported the Shasta Chapter on Giving Tuesday!  Thanks to your generosity, we raised nearly $1,200!  And for those of you who can’t donate financially, a gift of your time would be ever so appreciated.  We are always in need of field trip leaders, presentations for our Chapter meetings, assistance with our plant propagation and sales events, help with social media and websites, and much more.  Let us know if you can help and we’ll find a place for you!

Big-leaved maple on East Weaver Trail. D. Burk.
Big-leaved maple, Acer macrophyllum, along the East Weaver Trail, Weaverville.
Photo taken November 3, 2024, by Don Burk.

Although we are now in the last days of fall, we are still in the peak planting season.  If you need some lovely native plants for your garden, there is still time to purchase and plant.  We have extended our online plant sale (with pick-up at Shasta College) until December 19.  Not only will you be supporting the Chapter, you will be supporting our local ecosystem!

The Balconies Trail, Pinnacles National Park. D. Burk.
The Balconies Trail, Pinnacles National Park. Photo taken November 10, 2024, by Don Burk.

As usual, we will not have a Chapter meeting in December—but we do have two field trips on the calendar.  Lisa Ross will lead us on some paths less traveled in the Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve this Sunday (December 8), and our traditional New Year’s Day hike to the Top of the World will provide a great start to 2025!

And as 2024 draws to a close, be sure to Get Out!  The North State has so much botanical diversity to offer, at all seasons of the year.  See you on the trail!
~Don Burk, President

Fall Creek Trail, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. D. Burk.
Fall Creek Trail, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz County.
Photo taken November 12, 2024, by Don Burk.