April—frothing with flowers and bountiful botany—what a perfect month for a presentation on vernal pools. . . and that is exactly what we have lined up for you! On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at our monthly Chapter meeting, Jepson Prairie Preserve docent and photographer extraordinaire, Charlie Russell, will present a slideshow entitled, Vernal Pools in California. It promises to be a visual treat, as well as edifying. Do join us!
Photo taken by Charlie Russell on April 12, 2016, at Jepson Prairie Preserve.
What is a vernal pool? And why are the ones in California so special? This presentation will discuss the special features of vernal pools and why California’s special climate and geology make our vernal pools unique in the world. We’ll highlight some of the very rare plants and animals that live in these pools and the associated grasslands.
Photo taken by Charlie Russell on March 31, 2024.
Charlie Russell has been a docent at Jepson Prairie Preserve (an amazing vernal pool habitat in Solano County) for over 10 years, and he is a member of the site management committee. His hobby is photographing native wildflowers, which takes him to many places in California, throughout the western United States, and to other botanically interesting places around the world.
Photo taken by Lynn Russell on March 2, 2016.
Please join us as we revel in the beauty of vernal pool blooms with what will undoubtedly be a fabulous presentation! That’s 5:30 or 6 PM on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Venue and time details are below. See you there! ~Shasta Chapter CNPS
Photo taken by Charlie Russell on February 26, 2024.
The new meeting venue
With sincere gratitude to McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, we are delighted to announce that Shasta Chapter CNPS is now meeting in the brand new Turtle Bay Nursery Classroom, 1125 Arboretum Drive, Redding. There is lots of free, paved parking just steps away from the classroom building, and nice, curbed sidewalks. To get to the new venue, from South Market Street, turn east onto Arboretum Drive. Veer right at the first opportunity (so you don’t end up at Turtle Bay Elementary School!), and drive a short way to the “curvy” parking lot to the east of Arboretum Drive.
The Nursery Classroom is just inside a large wrought-iron double gate, which is just north of the entrance to the botanical gardens proper.
Photo taken August 30, 2024, by Don Burk.
The new meeting time
We will get the show on the road a little earlier than in the past. Please be ready to go no later than 6 PM for our short Chapter meeting and announcements, followed by our speaker’s presentation. Or come as early as 5:30 PM to socialize and see what sort of pre-meeting activity or display we might have for you!