Important Notice: California Native Plant Society now requires all field trip participants to sign an annual waiver of liability. This can be done online at WaiverSign. Once signed, you will be covered for all Shasta Chapter CNPS events in 2023. Thank you!
Please join us for the following field trips! The first one will be co-hosted by Shasta Chapter CNPS and Shasta Environmental Alliance (SEA); the second two are Shasta Chapter CNPS field trips.
Kum Bay Xerel Open Space Trail
Sacramento River, South Redding
Thursday, October 12, 9 to 11:30 AM
- This field trip will be both a bird and plant identification walk on a fairly new trail south of Redding, part of which follows the Sacramento River. George Horn, from Wintu Audubon Society, will be along to identify birds on the walk, and David Ledger (Shasta Chapter CNPS and SEA) will identify native plants. The trail is paved for the first 3/4 mile, but we will walk farther upstream, in a valley oak woodland on BLM land, until the plant growth begins to block out the trail. This is a level trail, the paved section accessible to all abilities, while the section on BLM land is flat, but uneven. This walk fulfills SEA’s mission to educate the public about our beautiful outdoor areas. You can meet us at the trailhead on the south end of Riverland Drive next to the geodesic dome at 9 AM, or at the CVS parking lot in the Holiday Market shopping center on Placer Street, Redding, at 8:30 AM to carpool. (Please RSVP to david@ecoshasta.org if you plan to carpool.) Rain will cancel if heavy; bring an umbrella for light rain. Dogs welcome if kept on leash. For more information, please contact me at david@ecoshasta.org
Lillian Nelson Nature Preserve
Sunday, October 15, 9 AM to noon
- Come take a tour of this 30-acre nature preserve, located right here in Redding! Jeremey Kelley, Project Coordinator for Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, will point out beaver activity (there is an active beaver on site!), plants, and other wildlife, and talk about upcoming restoration work that will involve meadow restoration, acorn planting, fuels reduction, weed eradication, and beaver dam analogs. Most of the walking will be easy, on flat ground. There are some sections with loose rock on the flat road, but nothing too difficult—it will all be fairly easy walking on established paths and trails. Meet at 9 AM at the yellow gate at the Preserve entrance on College View, Redding, just below the hill that goes up to Bethel Church. Jeremey will be there early (in a white Honda Fit) to greet you. Heavy rain cancels; no dogs please (service dogs on leash OK). For more information, please contact Jeremey at 530/921-1612.
Plant Photography Playshop
McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Sunday, October 22
- Come get an in-person boost in using your cellphone, or digital camera, to photograph plants from a pro. Harvey Spector, recently retired from teaching photography at Shasta College and a decades-long career as a professional photographer, will give us the benefit of his artistic and technical know-how in the floristically rich Turtle Bay Arboretum. We might even find some native plants in the butterfly garden there to photograph. But no matter which continent the plants that catch your eye are from, the focus for the morning will be learning some of the most useful secrets of your digital camera so that the next time Nature and natives inspire you, your camera will fulfill, not limit, your vision. Must RSVP: this field trip is limited to 8 participants to ensure that everyone receives personal instruction. Details for meet-up location and time will be provided once you reserve your spot. Bring the digital camera you use most often to photograph plants and expect the morning to be in the 60s. You might appreciate some note paper and pen, light layers, calories of your choice, and water to last through the morning. No dogs, please; rain cancels. For further information or to RSVP, please contact ShastaCNPS@gmail.com.
Please note: field trip leaders are urgently needed! Sign on to lead a field trip on your favorite trail, or even somewhere new! Plant identification knowledge is not required! These are group activities; we share what we know—sometimes we luck out and have a botanist or wildlife biologist with us, but not always. If you enjoy the outdoors and find wonder in nature, you have what is needed to lead a field trip. Contact us! shastacnps@gmail.com ~David Ledger
