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CNPS welcomes everyone. No expertise required.
Evening Program
Second Wednesdays at the D Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D Street, Arcata or register on Zoom via northcoastcnps.org. Doors open at 5:45. Speaking starts at 6:00. The lecture will be followed by a social hour.
Drawing a Line in the Sand: Species Boundaries in the Menzies’ Wallflower
Wednesday, March 11, 6:00–7:30
California is home to 6,143 vascular plants, 42% of which are endemic. How do rare plants originate? This project uses the Menzies’ wallflower (Erysimum menziesii), an endangered coastal dune plant, as a case study in how new species form. Genetic data from 190 samples were used to examine relationships among closely related wallflowers, including the Tolowa wallflower. We ask, where the lines should be drawn between the species. Cameron M. Jones is a master’s candidate in biology in Oscar Vargas’ Lab at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Outings
Native Plant Garden Tour
Saturdays, Mar 7, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Native Plant Garden Tour at the Arcata Community Center Native Plant & Wildlife Garden with Pete Haggard. The garden is on the hillside to the left of Healthsport, Arcata (300 Community Park Way), opposite the Arcata Community Center. Free. This walk repeats every first Saturday. If rain, bring an umbrella.
Humboldt Botanical Garden (HBG). Manzanitas and general garden tour
Sunday, March 8, 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Manzanita enthusiast and plant curator Mark Moore will expound upon all things Arctostaphylos in the Lost Coast Brewery Native Plant Garden at HBG. Most manzanitas bloom in winter to early spring, so we should be treated to an array of white and pink blossoms gracing a diverse collection of this essentially western North American genus. Mark will also treat us to an up-close look at a developing artistic and aesthetic marvel at HBG. We’ll then move on to explore more of the Garden’s wealth of botanical delights along its myriad trails, such as the Wildberries Natural Riparian Area and atop the Eitzen Lookout. Bring vittles and water, dress for weather and trail walking. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the south end of the Bayshore Mall parking lot (across from McDonald’s), or at 10:00 a.m. at the Garden entrance, 7351 Tompkins Hill Rd., adjacent to College of the Redwoods. Garden members: bring your card. Non-members can join at the Garden, or CNPS will pay your admission. Please register your intention to attend with trip coordinator and co-leader: Peter Warner; phytopagan@sonic.net; (707) 235-2713. Rain will not stop us! (but call Peter by 9 a.m. Mar. 8, if uncertain)
Redwood Creek Field Trip
Sunday, March 22, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Leader: Rita Zito
Giant purple wakerobin (Trillium kurabayashii) is the object of an annual pilgrimage to Redwood Creek Trail in Redwood National Park. While past performance does not portend the future, in past years the latter part of March has found the giant purple wakerobin in full bloom—perhaps accompanied by eye-catching salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) and pink-flowering currant blooms (Ribes sanguineum), with the riparian forest just leafing out. Meet at 9:00 am at Pacific Union School (3001 Janes Rd., Arcata) or meet at the trailhead at 10 a.m. [From Arcata, take Hwy. 101 north about 35 miles to Orick; 1 mile north of Orick take Bald Hills Rd, then 0.4 mile to a right-turn onto the trailhead road.] We’ll walk 3 miles round-trip on a level trail. Dress for the weather; bring lunch and water. Substantial rain or wind will postpone this walk, provisionally to Sunday, March 29. Please register for this walk, or get more information, by contacting Rita at ritazito53@yahoo.com.
Rohner Park Restoration Work Party
Saturdays, Mar 21, 2026, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Help preserve Fortuna’s exceptionally old second-growth Redwood forest by removing invasive plants. Meet at the Fireman’s Pavilion. Tools and gloves provided, but it helps to bring your own. Co-sponsored by the North Coast CNPS Chapter and the Fortuna Parks and Recreation Department. A third-Saturday event. For more, call Steve Underwood 707-601-6753.
Workshop Registration
Introduction to Carex of California
Saturday and Sunday, March 14–15 (a one and a half day workshop)
A Deep Dive into Rushes (Juncus)
Saturday, April 4
Offered by the North Coast Chapter of CNPS and Cal Poly Humboldt Biology Graduate Student Association. Register at northcoastcnps.org.