Plants then insects are at the very bottom of the food chain; all higher forms of life depend on them for survival. An intact native plant habitat supports a diverse insect population, which in turn feeds birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other animals. Learn to identify the common native plants and insects of our area with California naturalists Karan Gathani and Arvind Kumar on a guided walk through Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, the largest and southernmost preserve in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
We will hike the Woods Trail with spectacular views of Mt. Hamilton and the Valley floor. Expect to see coast live oak, madrone, California bay, bigleaf maple, buckeye, bigberry manzanita, toyon, coffeeberry, cream bush, mountain mahogany and sticky monkeyflower. We may encounter butterflies, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, flies and spiders. Prepare to be edified, educated and entertained!
The elevation gain will be 600 ft.; the distance covered will be 5.4 miles roundtrip. Wear good walking/hiking shoes. Bring a sack lunch and plenty of fluids. Drinking water is not available in the preserve. Bring a hat and sunscreen; optionally, a hand lens and smartphone camera. We expect to return to the parking lot by 2pm.
Please RSVP via meetup.com/California-Native-Plant- Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/events/262085471. Directions to the trailhead are on the meetup page.
Fri Apr 19 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Fri Apr 19 @ 7:00PM - 08:50PM Photography Group - Photo Sharing Meeting |
Sat Apr 20 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Mon Apr 22 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Tue Apr 23 @ 7:00PM - 09:00PM Native Plant ID |
Fri Apr 26 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Apr 27 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat Apr 27 @ 9:30AM - 04:00PM Wildflower Show |
Sun Apr 28 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Rancho Cañada del Oro OSP (Morgan Hill) |
Mon Apr 29 @ 8:00AM - Lake Cunningham Native Garden |