Join us on a hike of Truckee Donner Land Trust's recently acquired Lower Carpenter Valley! Lower Carpenter Valley includes wet meadow, freshwater emergent wetland, riparian, and fen habitat types, as well as red fir, lodgepole pine, and mixed-conifer forest.

 
Children and adults alike are invited on this accessible hike. Docents will provide information about the history and natural features of the valley. Wildflowers should be in full bloom if Mother Nature cooperates!

Difficulty: Expect to travel five miles on a level fire road.

Duration: 3 hours

 
Bring: Water, snacks, hat for sun protection, insect repellent (mosquitoes may be plentiful!), and other hiking essentials. If you have allergies, please bring your allergy remedy of choice - we want you to enjoy this trip!

 
Please note: Because of the sensitive nature of the environment, dogs are not allowed in Carpenter Valley, but are welcomed on every other Land Trust property.

 
RSVP required: https://forms.gle/Lzo7eFeqXGobaEMR9

 
This trip will be limited to 25 participants. Directions will be provided only to registered participants.

 
Carpooling (Riders, please bring $4 per hour of travel time to compensate drivers):

 
The Grass Valley/Nevada City carpool will meet at the Rood Center, 950 Maidu Avenue in Nevada City. Meet in front of the Center. Carpools will leave promptly at 8:15 a.m.

 
The Auburn carpool will meet at Raley's, 13384 Lincoln Way in Auburn. Carpools will leave promptly at 8:15 a.m.

 
Marin CNPS is going to the high country this summer, joining with folks from the Redbud Chapter on a trip led by Redbud Member Susan Chalpin! We'll spend two days meandering the trails and enjoying the feast of blooms expected after the heavy snow year we had. Susan worked for the Forest Service before founding a consulting company that deals with wastewater systems and soil testing.

 
According to Toni Fauver, author of Wildflower Walking the Lakes Basin of the Northern Sierra, the Gold Lakes Basin is characterized by "many glaciated lakes, craggy Sierra Buttes, numerous trails and abundant wildflowers...the great diversity of the plants in this part of the northern Sierra is due partly to the migration of plants from northern California and Oregon mixed with the Sierran flora from the south, partly to the variations in elevation from 5,800 feet at Gray Eagle Lodge to 8,500 feet at the Sierra Buttes lookout and, finally, to the volcanic terrain that was re-formed by the action of glaciers."

 
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Bassetts Station at the corner of Gold Lake Road and Highway 49 in Sierra County. Make your own arrangements for lodging; a variety of options can be found in the area, including campgrounds, lodges, and cabins, whether along Gold Lake Road or down Route 49 toward Downieville.

 
Please RSVP to Carolyn Longstreth at cklongstreth@gmail.com so we can keep track of how many to expect. This trip is offered to CNPS members only.

 
General description: This is a moderately difficult 7-mile round-trip hike with an amazing display of spring wildflowers. The trail will be rocky with obstacles and most likely wet and muddy. The trip is organized by Linda Conklin, led by Sue Chalpin, with Shane Hanofee as assistant leader.

 
The hike: The hike begins in a forest of White Firs, Lodgepole Pines and Western White Pines, with views to the south and of Castle Peak to the west. It then reaches a meadow filled with Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Mule's Ear and more. It levels out temporarily to cross a tributary of the South Fork of Prosser Creek. At the crossing, Monkey Flowers and Alpine Lilies can also be found.

 
The steep climb continues after the creek crossing, as the trail makes its way up to a saddle, where there is a four-way junction. The right-most trail leads to Frog Lake Overlook at the top of Peak 8653 and the edge of Frog Lake Cliff. This is a good lunch place. Castle Peak is directly west, and Northstar is visible to the southeast.

 
Elevation at trailhead: 7,125 ft

 
Elevation at Frog Lake Overlook: 8653 ft

 
Elevation gain and loss: 1528 ft

 
Directions to the trailhead: I-80 to the Boreal exit. Turn right, then left toward the Pacific Crest (PCT) trailhead parking lot (free). Vaulted toilets are available

 
What to bring wear/bring: Sturdy hiking boots or shoes, water, lunch, bug repellent, first aid, sunblock, any allergy medications you may need.

 
Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/5uR8BWVaZyzoGxwM8 The trip is limited to 20 people.

 
Come join Linda Conklin for a short guided jaunt through the tall pines at Sierra Discovery Trail! This trail is perfect for people of all ages as a level and easy 0.8 mile loop that packs a lot of nature into a short hike. The area adjoins wet meadows and a creek with a small waterfall. There is also a picnic area for having lunch afterwards. A perfect Saturday stroll for the whole family! Discovery Trail is off Bowman Road, accessible from Hwy 20 East from Nevada City.

Check for more details on Redbud website and Facebook page as date approaches.

 
We need an assistant leader for this hike, to make it happen. Volunteer at nativeplanthelp@redbud-cnps.org.

 
Wednesday, July 24,
“California Butterflies and Global Change"

Matt Forister, Professor, University of Nevada, Reno<

Sierra Vista Community Center, 55 School St., Colfax

 
California's rich butterfly fauna is affected by the many facets of global change, including habitat destruction and climate change. A multi-decade study of butterflies across an elevational transect reveals both surprising resilience and the potential for loss of populations and species. Results from Northern California will be considered in the light of studies of butterflies and global change from other parts of the world.

 
Wednesday, August 28

Julie Carville, Author, Botanist, Photographer
“Tahoe’s Spectacular Wildflower Trails"

Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City

Join us for a photo presentation by Julie Carville. Her book, Tahoe's Spectacular Wildflower Trails, takes the reader on an amazing wildflower adventure along Tahoe's trails, with stories about the flowers, pollinators, animals, and Native American plant uses. Julie also wrote Lingering in Tahoe’s Wild Gardens and Hiking Tahoe's Wildflower Trails, and co-authored two Redbud books on Wildflowers and Trees andrubs of Nevada andacer Counties.

 
Wednesday, September 25 Nancy Gilbert, Redbud Horticulture Chair

"Jewels of the Garden California Native Bulbs, Corms, and Rhizomes"

Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City

 
Wednesday, October 23 Gregg McKenzie

"The Importance of Local Conservation Plans: The Placer County Conservation Plan"

Placer County Library, 350 Nevada St., Auburn