2025 liability waiver info:
California Native Plant Society requires all field trip participants to sign an annual waiver of liability. Once signed, you will be covered for all events in 2025. Thank you!
- Shasta Chapter CNPS’s 2025 waiver can be signed here: WaiverSign.
Come see autumn colors and waterfalls with the Shasta Chapter, or bring younger children for a “forest bathing” event with a visit from a friendly gnome.
East Weaver Creek, Weaverville
Fall Colors, Lichens, and Native Plants
Sunday, October 12, 9 AM
- Join Shasta Chapter CNPS on this easy, yet beautiful, hike through riparian areas, mixed conifers, and Oregon oak woodland. Walk leader David Ledger will identify various native plants on the trail, including four or five lichen varieties, and give a short explanation of their biology and importance in the environment. The trail is just outside Weaverville and we should see a lot of beautiful fall colors. East Weaver Creek is the source of Weaverville’s water supply. Dogs on leash are allowed if you pick up after them. Bring water, lunch, a hat, and boots. Heavy rain cancels; for light rain or drizzle, bring an umbrella. We will meet at the Holiday Market Parking lot near CVS on Placer and Buenaventura, Redding, at 8 AM and carpool/caravan to the trailhead. Limited to 15 people. For more information and to reserve a space, email David at dsledger49@gmail.com. Make sure to sign the waiver (see opening paragraph).
McCloud River Falls
Saturday, October 18, 9 AM
- This four-mile, easy to moderate hike is at one of the most beautiful waterfall trails in our area. We will start at the Lower Falls and hike up to the Middle and Upper Falls near the water for most of the walk. This trail has mixed conifers and broad-leaved trees. We will meet at the Mt. Shasta Mall Parking lot near Chase Bank at 9 AM and carpool/caravan to the trailhead. No dogs on this field trip. Bring water, lunch, a hat, and boots. Heavy rain cancels; for light rain or drizzle, bring an umbrella. Limited to 15 people. To reserve a space or for more information, email David Ledger at dsledger49@gmail.com and make sure to sign the waiver (see opening paragraph).
Sacramento River Bend Area
Saturday, October 25, 9 AM
- This field trip will be two short, easy walks on two different trails in the Sacramento River Bend Area, for less than four miles total. This area has a great diversity of plants and habitats, and is a good place to identify trees and shrubs in the fall. Both trails are generally level and suitable for most people. On the drive back, we will stop at Rancho Breisgau to see the great progress they are making on this BLM restoration project. Bring water, snacks, a hat, and boots. Dogs on leash are allowed if you pick up after your pet. Limited to 15 people. For more information and the meeting location, email David Ledger at dsledger49@gmail.com to reserve a spot, and make sure to sign the waiver (see opening paragraph).
Photo taken by Juliet Malik on September 18, 2025.
Families in the Forest
Sunday, October 26, 10 AM
- Join Shasta Environmental Alliance volunteers Holly White-Wolfe and Juliet Malik, both California naturalists, for a special educational outing designed for families with young children. The event is designed for children, their siblings, parents, and grandparents or other caregivers to enjoy together.
We’ll explore the benefits of time in nature by stimulating our senses with sights, sounds, scents, and other soothing qualities of the natural world. Studies suggest that just two hours per week in nature is linked to better health and well-being (please see the article, Nurtured by nature). Nature can help reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and boost overall well-being (see Biophilia: Does Visual Contact with Nature Impact on Health and Well-Being?).
We’ll take a break for story time on our picnic blankets. Our special guest, a local gnome, will share how to identify local mountains, waters, and plants. He’ll guide us through how we can start to notice more together. Come along with us while we build a sense of belonging to a community that cares for its ecosystem.
Prepare for the event:
- REQUIRED: Register for the event and sign the waiver form here. (Children must be accompanied by an adult. A registration form is needed for each adult and child.) Meeting place will be emailed once you are registered.
- Please bring a picnic blanket, water, and a snack.
- Wear layers of clothing, a hat, and walking shoes (closed-toe). Walking will be on mostly flat surfaces in easy-to-hike terrain. Surfaces may be uneven, so hiking boots or closed-toe walking shoes are recommended.
- Please no dogs except service dogs on a leash—this helps us better observe other living creatures.
Learn more about the benefits of “forest bathing” (intentionally spending time in nature) in the article, Dip your toes into forest bathing. Any questions? Contact juliet@ecoshasta.org
For more information about any of the above events, please email me at dsledger49@gmail.com. ~David Ledger, Field Trip Chair