Calendar of Events
Official
CNPS Events
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About Events
May
- May 2, Wednesday, 12pm – 1pm: Eastern Sierra Land Trust Brown Bag Lunch Series: Community Supported Agriculture
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ESLT Brown Bag Lunch Series continues! First Wednesday of every month (April - Oct.), 12-1pm. Come by the ESLT office (176 Home Street) on Wednesday May 2nd from 12-1pm to learn about local sustainable agriculture. Steve Baldwin and Bruce Willey, the founders of Bishop Creek Farms, will speak about their community supported agriculture and having a blast providing fresh, healthy produce to the community.
We'll feature a monthly speaker the first Wednesday of every month through October for an informal chat about Amazing Encounters with the Land. Stay tuned for the June topic, to be announced soon. For more information or to sign up, contact Victoria at 760-873-4554 or email victoria@eslt.org (Future Brown Bag Lunch Series events TBA - check the ESLT website) - May 3, Thursday, 3:30pm - 5:30pm: Gardenfest, Eastern Sierra Land Trust
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Come celebrate the beginning of the 2012 garden season with Eastern Sierra Land Trust! Get gardening tips from Master Gardeners and buy local farm products. Bring your extra seeds for our Seed Swap and purchase seedlings from 4-H to get going on your own garden. Katie will be there with some native plants, too! Get inspired and celebrate spring in the Eastern Sierra! We will have snacks and free kid’s activities. This event takes place in the ESLT Garden at 176 Home St. in Bishop. For more information, contact Victoria at 760-873-4554 or email victoria@eslt.org
- May 5, Saturday, 7am: Baker Creek Bench Leader: Jerry Zatorski, Eastern Sierra Audubon
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Right in the middle of spring migration and “migration traps” such as the Baker Creek Bench regularly host many western migrants. Expect to see warblers, vireos and anything else that might be coming through. Even through the migratory species will be in full swing, the resident nesters should also be singing and calling. The trip entails a short hike from the parking area into meadows and woodland. Along with the many avian species, this area is also home to two Owens Valley rare plant species which should also be in bloom. This is a great trip for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars, scopes, field guides and an ear for bird song. We should be done by early afternoon, and participants should bring food & fluids, and dress for the spring weather. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Glacier View Campground just north of Big Pine (US 395 x SR 168). Because parking is limited up at the trail head, car pooling is encouraged. Vehicles with 4WD or clearance are also recommended. For more information contact Jerry at 387-2920 or jerryzat@gmail.com.
- May 8, Tuesday: SNARL 2012 Lecture Series
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A Field Study of Storm Snow Slab Avalanches, Dr. Ned Bair, Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Tuesday evening at the Green Church (Hwy. 395 and Benton Crossing Rd.). Admission is free and the public is invited. Lectures last approximately one hour. For more information call Leslie Dawson at 935-4356 or email ldawson@msi.ucsb.edu
- May 12, Saturday– Sawmill Road, Greenhorn Mountains, led by Jane McEwen. This is a Creosote Ring Sub-Chapter event.
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The highlights of this trip in the Greenhorn Mountains include driving through several plant communities, from Grey Pines and Oaks up into Pines, Firs and Cedars, exploring a mountain meadow, and driving down Sawmill Road with spectacular views of Lake Isabella.
We will leave Inyokern Post Office parking area at 9:00 am; Drive along the South side of Lake Isabella on Hwy 178; and meet others from the Kern River Valley at 10:30 a.m. at Tillie Creek Campground (Elevation 5000) on Tuttle Road, off Highway 155, just south of Wofford Heights (57 miles from Inyokern). From there we will drive along Hwy 155 up into the Greenhorn Mountains; Travel south on Forest Route 25S15/Rancheria Road, past Shirley Meadows Ski Area, traveling south along the ridge, through a beautiful forest of cedar trees to Evans Flat Meadows (Elevation 6040; 16 miles from Tillie Campground); and then double back and head down Sawmill Road back to Highway 155 on the west side of Lake Isabella. The drive down Sawmill Road requires high clearance vehicles. A plant list for the area along Rancheria Road is available on the CNPS Kern County Chapter, website: http://www.kerncnps.org/PlantLists/rancheria.html. Contact person: Jane McEwan at mcewanmj@gmail.com or 760-264-6206 (cell).
- May 12, Saturday, 9-10:30am: Spring Bird Migration to Mammoth Lakes. Jane Kenyon,Eastern Sierra Audubon
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Walk along Mammoth Creek on International Migratory Bird Day, and discover what migratory songbirds have arrived this Spring as we listen and look for songbirds along the creek corridor. Binoculars and a bird book will be helpful to identify what we see. Walk will be approx 1 mile round trip.
Meet at Mammoth Creek Park on Old Mammoth Rd, 2 blocks south of Vons. Info: Jane Kenyon, 934-0372.
- May 12, Saturday, 8:30am: Black Canyon Hike, Friends of the Inyo
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Celebrate International Migratory Bird day with a Black Canyon hike in the White Mountains! The hike will be strenuous and is approximately 6 miles long with 1,500 to 2,000 feet of total elevation change. Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch, and be prepared for any weather conditions with appropriate hiking shoes.
When: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Glacier View Campground, Big Pine, at the junction of Highways 395 and 158
Contact: Email Todd or Andrew at Friends of the Inyo or call (760) 873-6500 - May 13, Sunday, 8am: Spark Plug Mine/ Geology talk, Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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Explore historic Jeffrey Mine. It is located on the western flank of White Mountain near Hammil Valley. The restored mining camp is 2 mi. in and 1600’ above trailhead. We will present the geology & history of the camp and mine. After lunch hardy hikers can go an additional 1400’ to see the actual mine. Bring water, lunch, hat ,sun screen, hiking boots. Meet at 8am at Union Bank parking lot in Mammoth or 8:45 am at White Mt. Rd. off 395 in Bishop (NOTE: I think they mean White Mountain Ranch Road off of Highway 6, which is where you turn off to get to the trailhead for the Jeffrey Mine).
Leader: Brigitte Berman - May 15, Tuesday: SNARL 2012 Lecture Series
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Mighty Mammoth: Geological Insights into Eastern California’s Most Majestic Volcano, Dr. Brandon Browne, Dept. of Geological Sciences, CSU Fullerton. Tuesday evening at the Green Church (Hwy. 395 and Benton Crossing Rd.). Admission is free and the public is invited. Lectures last approximately one hour. For more information call Leslie Dawson at 935-4356 or email ldawson@msi.ucsb.edu
- May 19, Saturday, 10am-12:30pm: Reptile Hike for Kids, Friends of the Inyo
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Here's an opportunity for kids to learn about local reptiles of the Eastern Sierra. Join Friends of the Inyo for a brief presentation on local lizards and snakes at the FOI office in Bishop, followed by an easy walk near the Buttermilks where we'll no doubt see many lizards and maybe a snake if we're lucky. Please bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, and sunscreen.
Where: Friends of the Inyo, 819 North Barlow Lane, Bishop
When: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contact: Space is limited so please email Autumn or call her for more information at (760) 873-6500. - May 20, Sunday - Highway clean-up. Leader: Scott Hetzler.
Meet at the intersection of Highway 395 and Pine Creek Rd., west of 395, at 9.00 AM. We will try to be done by 1:00 PM. For more information contact Scott at (760) 873-8392.
- May 20, Sunday, 9am: June Lake/Reverse Peak Snow ponds, Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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An easy but beautiful approx. 4 mile loop to tarns in the shadow of Reverse peak between Silver & Gull Lakes. Birds and magnificent old Juniper trees. One steep uphill and downhill. Bring lunch, water. Meet at Union Bank parking lot in Mammoth at 9am. Leader: Jean Dillingham 760-648-7109 Dogs OK
- May 22, Tuesday: SNARL 2012 Lecture Series
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Glaciers, Granite, and Moraines of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Dr. Allen Glazner, Geological Sciences, University of North Carolina. Tuesday evening at the Green Church (Hwy. 395 and Benton Crossing Rd.). Admission is free and the public is invited. Lectures last approximately one hour. For more information call Leslie Dawson at 935-4356 or email ldawson@msi.ucsb.edu
- May 27, Sunday, 8 or 9am: Bodie Hills Rough Creek Hike, Friends of the Inyo and Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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Friends of the Inyo joins the Sierra Club Range of Light Group in co-sponsoring this all day 6-8 mile loop hike in the Bodie Hills. It will mostly be cross-country with an elevation gain of 1200 feet. The route will depend on snow conditions, starting at the Paramount Mine site and go through sage grouse country. We'll view a variety of birds and trees, wildflowers, and maybe mule deer fawns and pronghorns.
When & Where: 8 a.m. at the Mammoth Lakes Union Bank parking lot or 9 a.m. at Hwys 395 and 270 (Bodie turn-off).
What: Please leave your furry pets home as it will be breeding season for sage grouse and other wildlife. Bring plenty of water for the day, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen and other protections for outdoor elements. Long pants are suggested.
Contact: Email Drew at Friends of the Inyo or phone (805) 405-7577, or email Mary K of the Sierra Club Range of Light Group or call at (760) 934-0355. - May 29, Tuesday: SNARL 2012 Lecture Series
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Dragonflies of the Eastern Sierra, Ronald A. Oriti, Outdoor Photographer, Retired Astronomer. Tuesday evening at the Green Church (Hwy. 395 and Benton Crossing Rd.). Admission is free and the public is invited. Lectures last approximately one hour. For more information call Leslie Dawson at 935-4356 or email ldawson@msi.ucsb.edu
- May 30, Wednesday, 7pm: Bristlecone Chapter General Meeting: Loss of Coastal Sage Scrub from western Riverside County (and lessons for the Owens Valley)
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 7:00 pm at White Mountain Research Station, 3000 East Line St. in Bishop.
Dr. Yonne Wood, president of the Bristlecone Chapter will give a talk entitled “Loss of Coastal Sage Scrub from western Riverside County.” Her talk will examine the conversion of a unique California plant community to one dominated by invasive grasses. She will show how combined pressures from air pollutants and fire dynamics lead to soil loss across hillsides supporting this community. Lessons learned may be applicable throughout California, including Owens Valley.
June
- June 2, Saturday – Alakali Meadow, Black Rock. Leader: Daniel Pritchett.
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As recently as the mid 1980’s the area south/southwest of Blackrock Springs was alkali meadow, a rare plant community in California. Continuous pumping for the Blackrock hatchery with the assistance of the 2007 Inyo Complex Fire is now converting part of the area into a dustbowl. Come see what an Inyo County Water Department-certified pumping impact looks like, as well as an example of very successful groundwater-dependent meadow management. We will explore an area from the Fort Independence reservation north to 8-mile Ranch/Blackrock hatchery area. Sense of humor and capacity for outrage required. 4x4 not necessary but high clearance never hurts. Meet at Fort Independence travel plaza/casino parking lot at 8:45 am. Bring water, snacks, hat, and sunscreen. Trip will end by noon. Contact person: Daniel at 760-873-8943.
- June 3, Sunday: McGee Canyon to Grass Lake, Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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11 mile RT 2200’ elevation gain. Moderate pace with stream crossings. We may see beautiful wildflowers beginning in the canyon. Final destination will depend on trail & stream conditions. Bring 10 essentials & extra water. Meet at Union Bank parking in Mammoth at 9 am or McGee Canyon Rd at 9:30. Leaders: Sandy & Keith Burnside. 760 935-4004. Dogs OK.
- June 5, Tuesday: SNARL 2012 Lecture Series
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Bats in Peril, Dr. Patricia Berry-Brown, Dept. of Physiological Sciences, UCLA, retired. Tuesday evening at the Green Church (Hwy. 395 and Benton Crossing Rd.). Admission is free and the public is invited. Lectures last approximately one hour. For more information call Leslie Dawson at 935-4356 or email ldawson@msi.ucsb.edu
- June 8-10, Friday-Sunday: Burned Forest Ecology. Stephen Shunk. Mono Lake Committee Field Seminar, $150 per person / $135 for members
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Join North American woodpecker specialist Steve Shunk for this dynamic introduction to burned forest ecology in the Mono Basin. Western forests evolved with fire as a critical part of their ecological health. For well over 100 years, humans have attempted to suppress fire, in effect removing this crucial component of forest ecology. How do we balance the needs of society with the need for conservation of healthy forest habitats?
Steve started birding in 1989 and has studied the ecology of western forests for the last 14 years. He recently completed the Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America, and he will spend his second season in summer 2012 studying the Black-backed Woodpeckers of the Sierra Nevada.
- June 9, Saturday, 9am: Middle Fork Bishop Creek Birding, Eastern Sierra Audubon
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Breeding should be well underway along the creek below Lake Sabrina. Swallows, mountain bluebirds, pewees, sapsuckers, warblers, and hummers use a variety of vegetation in the area. We'll walk easy paths and roads along both sides of the water, making a loop. Meet at 8:15 a.m. in the parking lot just west of Joseph's Market in Bishop to carpool, or at the junction of the Lake Sabrina/North Lake Road above Aspendell at 9:00 a.m. The morning outing may conclude with a stop at Four Jeffrey Campground on the South Fork. Bring binoculars, snacks, liquids, warm clothes. For more information contact leader Larry Nahm at 872-4125.
- June 10, Sunday – Bodie Hills. Co-host with Friends of the Inyo, Drew Foster.
Come on out for an all day floral adventure in the Bodie Hills. Let’s see what’s in bloom in this mélange of the floras of the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin high desert. Viewscapes are guaranteed to impress, sagebrush will be present and plentiful, and good times to be had by all! This will be an all day hike, moderate to strenuous, so please bring plenty of water, a lunch, snacks, and the usual outdoor stuff (sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes, etc.) Meet at the end of the pavement at Highway 270 (the rd to Bodie State Park) to carpool, 8:30am (subject to change). Don’t forget your hand lenses! Call Drew at (805) 405-7577 for more information.
- June 10, Sunday: Kayak/canoe Benton Crossing to Crowley Lake, Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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Float, paddle, bird watch down the Owens River approx 4 miles. We will see a wide variety of waterfowl & spectacular views of the Eastern Sierra. Bring boat, paddle, lunch, water, hat & sunscreen. Life vest is mandatory. Waterproof bag for camera & binoculars advised. Some space in boats available. Call to reserve space. Meet at 9 at Union Bank in Mammoth or 9:30 at Benton Crossing Bridge. Leaders: John 760- 934-1767, Dillingham 760 648-7109 No Dogs.
- June 12, Tuesday: SNARL 2012 Lecture Series
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Rediscovery of the Sierra Nevada Red Fox in the Southern Sierra Nevada, Sherri Lisius, Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, Bishop. Tuesday evening at the Green Church (Hwy. 395 and Benton Crossing Rd.). Admission is free and the public is invited. Lectures last approximately one hour. For more information call Leslie Dawson at 935-4356 or email ldawson@msi.ucsb.edu
- June 15-17, Friday - Sunday: Annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua
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The 11th Annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua. It is a sensational event filled with birds, science, field trips, art, music, food & fun, lead by expert birders & other professional scientists. Registration opens on line on April 15. Register early to secure the field trip if your choice. Go to BirdChautauqua.org for more details.
- June 17, Sunday – Rodeo Flat & Lower Fish Creek Meadow on the Kern Plateau led by Kathy LaShure. This is a Creosote Ring Sub-Chapter event.
Although, in this so-far dry year, it is unlikely that there will be a repeat of last summer’s glorious carpets of wildflowers in these locations, we still might see some rare plants such as Fritillaria pinetorum, Phacelia orogenes, or Viola pinetorum ssp. grisea that were documented from these locations in 2011. Other rare plants we’ll also be looking for are Erigeron multiceps, 2 species of Astragalus and Cordylanthus eremicus ssp. kernensis.
We will meet at the Inyokern Post Office at 8:00 am to carpool. Be prepared for sun, wind, hot and cold. Bring food and drink, and have your fuel tanks full. Those coming from points north can meet the group at 8:30 am at the 9-Mile Canyon Rd turnoff from Hwy 395. Contact person: Kathy LaShure; 760-377-4541 or desert_encelia@verizon.net).
- June 23, Saturday: Oak Creek, Leader: Jerry Zatorski.
This will be an exploration of the lower Oak Creek area. Oak Creek hosts two native tree oak species found in the Eastern Sierra, and one is only found in this drainage. The 2007 fire and 2008 flood has greatly changed the landscape in many places, and after a few years of recovery we’ll see what’s there now, what survived the major disturbances, and maybe get an idea of what may be there in the future. From the trail head we will also hike up the canyon to see what may be happing further up in elevation. The hiking portion is moderate to slightly difficult and it could be warm at the lower elevations, bring plenty of water, lunch, field guide, hand lens, sunscreen and hat. We should be done by late afternoon. We will meet at 8:00 AM at the intersection of Fish Hatchery Rd. and US 395, 2.3 miles north of Independence and 0.5 mile south of the Fort Independence gas station. For more information contact Jerry Zatorski at (760) 3987-2920 or jerryzat@gmail.com.
- June 23, Saturday: Birding, Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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June is a great month for birds in our area. Our destinations will be determined after scouting. Meet at 7:45am at Union Bank Parking in Mammoth. Bring binoculars, hat, sun screen, water & lunch. Leaders & expert birders: Ken Wells & Matthew Matthiessen Organized by Karen Murphy-Schlaepfer (949) 240-3956 Call Mary K. 760 934-0355 for more info.
- June 24, Sunday, 9am: SNARL Weed Pull and Tour, Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab, Convict Creek area, Mono County.
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SNARL is the only known locality in California for scalloped-leaved lousewort (Pedicularis crenulata). Bristlecone Chapter member Ann Howald has monitored this species at SNARL for more than 30 years. Woolly mullein is a weed that invades the lousewort’s meadow habitat. To reduce the presence of woolly mullein in the area and limit its potential for invading SNARL, we will spend a couple of hours removing mullein on land adjacent to SNARL. Weed removal will include only physical methods. Following the weed-pull, we will eat our lunches at SNARL’s picnic tables, then Ann will lead of tour of SNARL’s meadow and sagebrush habitats, including visits to lousewort colonies, and other rare plant populations.
Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, work gloves, and a dandelion digger or trowel if you have one. Expect this activity to be completed by about 2 pm. Carpooling from Bishop is recommended; meet at the intersection of Rovana Rd and 395 at 8:30 am. Please let Sue Weis or Ann know if you are planning to attend. Ann can be reached at: annhowald@vom.com or 707-721-6120. Contact Sue at 760-873-3485 or sueweis@aol.com.
- June 24, Sunday: Barney Lake near Twin Lakes out of Bridgeport, Sierra Club Range of Light Group
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Hike from Twin Lakes. We will climb 1300’ elev. for a 8.6 RT ascending into the Hoover Wilderness thru many plant & bird species via a good trail with spectacular views of the Sawtooth ridge and Matterhorn Peak. (Little Switzerland). Meet at Union Bank at 8 am in Mammoth or at 9:15 at Hwys 395 & 182 (in Bridgeport). Bring water, lunch, hiking boots, layered clothes, camera, sunscreen.
Leader: Maurica Anderson 760-932-7175 Dogs OK on leash for first .5 mi.
July
- July 7, Saturday: Witcher Meadow Wildflowers and Weeding. Leader: Stephen Ingram.
Start the holiday weekend off right with a combination botanizing and weed-pulling trip in a beautiful meadow surrounded by Jeffrey pine forest at 7640’. We may still see shooting star, but will definitely see rein orchid, bog-orchid, spike-mallow, Kelley’s tiger lily, starwort, and many other wildflowers, grasses, and sedges. The drier areas surrounding the meadow should have blooming porcupine prickly-pear. Easy terrain with moderate walking. After botanizing for an hour or so, we’ll work at eradicating goat’s beard, Tragopogon dubius, an invasive, weedy dandelion. Lunch among the pines and return shortly afterward. Meet at the gravel pit on Sky Meadow Road in Swall Meadows at 9:00 am. High-clearance 4WD needed, but we will carpool. Bring gloves, food, water, hat, sunscreen; bags will be provided. Contact Stephen at ingram@bishopwireless.net or 760-387-2913 for more information.
- July 14, Saturday, 9am: Lichen field trip, Tioga Pass area. Leaders: Kate Kramer, Sue Weis, and Kerry Knudsen.
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Join lichenologist Kerry Knudsen, lichen curator at the UC Riverside Herbarium and Forest Service botanists Sue Weis and Kate Kramer for an informal lichen expedition along Tioga Pass in the Inyo National Forest on July 14, 2012. We will meet at the Mono Basin Visitor Center at 9AM. From the Visitor Center, we will carpool to several stops along Tioga Pass (Highway 120) and spend the morning and early afternoon looking at the lichen flora of this area. Bring lunch, water, a hand lens and wear good hiking shoes. For more information, please contact Sue Weis at sweis@fs.fed.us, Kerry Knudsen at kerryknudsen999@gmail.com or Kate Kramer at kakramer@fs.fed.us.
- July 20–22, Friday-Sunday: The Art of Wildflower Macrophotography. David Gubernick. Mono Lake Committee Field Seminar, $250 per person / $225 for members, limited to 8 participants
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Learn to take creative and beautiful close-up images, further develop your artistic vision, and enhance your photographic skills in the supportive learning environment of this workshop for beginning to advanced amateur photographers. The weekend will emphasize the artistry of macrophotography and the technical means to render such images; this is not a course in botanical identification.
David Gubernick, PhD, is an internationally and nationally published and award-winning nature photographer and workshop leader. This is a popular workshop, garnering rave reviews.
- July 21, Saturday: Devil’s Postpile Rainbow Falls weed pulling. Leader: Holly Alpert.
This will be a work day to help remove cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) from Devils Postpile National Monument and surrounding areas. We will hike from the Rainbow Falls trailhead to areas of known infestations. Hiking distance may be 2-4 miles and may be over rough terrain. Bring your gloves and some garbage bags. Wear long pants and layers. Meet at Minaret Vista at 9:00 am and we will carpool from there. Contact Holly Alpert; 760-709-2212; holly.alpert@gmail.com.
- July 28, Saturday: Duck Pass Tail, Mammoth Lakes Basin. Leader Jerry Zatorski.
This will be a backcountry hike from the Mammoth Lakes Basin. We’ll begin the hike at 9100 ft and go up from there on a trail that climbs up through the sub-alpine forest. We should see many classic mountain species from inch high forbs to towering conifers. The route will take us through forest, meadows and over rocky outcrops, where a different collection of species can be found in each habitat. This is a moderately strenuous hike at high elevation. This trip will take most of the day and participants should bring plenty of fluids and food, field guide, camera, and a hand lens. We will meet at the Duck Pass trail head at 8:00 AM. From Minaret Rd. in Mammoth Lakes take Lake Mary Rd. 3.5 miles up to the lakes basin. About 0.3 mile past the Mammoth Pack Station, take a left onto Around Lake Mary Rd., take this 0.6 miles and take a left at Cold Water Creek Campground Rd., follow this 0.7 mile to the trail head. This is a popular area so be sure to be prompt because the parking lot will fill up. For more information contact Jerry at 760-387-2920 or jerryzat@gmail.com
August
- August 3–5, Friday-Sunday: Introduction to High Country Plants & Habitats. Ann Howald. Mono Lake Committee Field Seminar, $150 per person / $135 for members
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This class will explore the mosaic of habitats found in the Eastern Sierra high country—flower-filled meadows fed by meandering streams, sagebrush-covered slopes, lodgepole pine forests, subalpine lakes bordered by willows, and flowery rock gardens. Sight identification of common trees, shrubs, and wildflowers will be emphasized, as well as the many ways that plants, birds, insects, and other wildlife interact in high country habitats.
Ann Howald is a consulting botanist and volunteer for the California Native Plant Society and California State Parks. She has taught popular Committee field seminars for over ten years.
- August 11, Saturday: Return to Osa Meadow, Kern Plateau led by Kathy LaShure. This is a Creosote Ring Sub-Chapter event.
Last summer we could not access our planned Kern Plateau location and visited Osa Meadow instead. It was fabulosa! So much so, that we’re going back this year. The meadow has not been grazed by cattle for a number of years and has rebounded floristically. Three rare species were sighted in 2011 and there are at least 6 other possible CNPS Rank 1 or 2 rare plants that we can search for this year.
High clearance vehicle required. Be prepared for sun, wind, hot and cold. Bring food and drink, and have your fuel tanks full. The Black Rock Information Station and the Kennedy Meadows Store have no fuel. This will be a full day outing.
We will meet at the Inyokern Post Office at 8:00 am to carpool. Those coming from points north can meet the group at 8:30 am at the 9-Mile Canyon Rd turnoff from Hwy 395. Contact person: Kathy LaShure; 760-377-4541 or desert_encelia@verizon.net).
September
- September 15, Saturday: Plant-Animal Interactions at Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern, north of Bishop. Leader: Ceal Klingler.
In late August, September, and early October, as white-flowered rabbitbrush (Ericameria albida), Mojave rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa var. mohavensis), and Cleomella species bloom, squadrons of insects congregate on their favorite plants at Fish Slough to eat and mate, attracting other insects and spiders to join them for dinner. If the timing's right, we'll see jumping spiders (mostly Phidippus species) and crab spiders (Misumena species) lurking in the shade of Mojave rabbitbrush and greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) while desert blister beetles (Lytta vulnerata), Zonitis blister beetles, and long-horned flower beetles (Crossidius species) bury their faces in pollen. We probably will also see other beetles, several species of wasps, ants, bees, and bee- and wasp-imitating flies, an ant imitator or two, and, if we're lucky, late-season Monarchs and Lycaenid butterflies, all of whom have their own hunting and/or plant preferences. At least a few of the seven lizard species that roam Fish Slough in daylight will be watching us as well. Because insects keep sunny schedules, we'll start at 10 a.m. and finish by about 2 p.m. Walking distance will be three to five miles on easy terrain, but it will be hot. Bring water, food, hat, sunscreen, camera or binoculars, a hand lens, and field guide. We'll meet at the intersection of Five Bridges and Fish Slough roads (by the kiosk) at 10 a.m. and carpool from there. Contact Ceal Klingler at 760-872-3196 or cksb@qnet.com for more information.
October
- October 13-14, Saturday-Sunday: Arborglyphs & Aspen Natural History. Richard Potashin & Nancy Hadlock. Mono Lake Committee Field Seminar, $160 per person / $145 for members
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A century of sheep grazing brought Basque sheepherders into the Mono Basin's aspen-bordered meadows, and they left numerous carvings—or arborglyphs—on the aspens. Join the instructors for an enchanting journey into the aspen groves to explore this historic art form and to learn about the numerous wildlife, insects, and birds that are drawn to the groves. During leisurely walks the instructors will discuss the history of sheep grazing in the Mono Basin, Basque culture, the cultural significance of the carvings, and efforts to document them.
Richard Potashin is a longtime Eastern Sierra resident who has been discovering and documenting aspen carvings for many years. Nancy Hadlock has been a naturalist, interpreter and educator for the National Park Service and US Forest Service for over 30 years.
- October 21, Sunday: Highway clean-up. Leader: Scott Hetzler.
Meet at the intersection of Highway 395 and Pine Creek Rd., west of 395, at 9.00 AM. We will try to be done by 1:00 PM. For more information contact Scott at 873-8392.
Being Planned:
The Bristlecone Chapter normally hosts two events on alternate years – a Spring or Summer Sojourn and the Bristlecone Chapter Banquet. The 2010 Banquet was held in July at the Crowley Lake Community Center. The Sojourn is a weekend of field trips, evening programs and visiting. In 2009 it was held in July at the Crooked Creek Facility in the White Mountains. We held a banquet in 2010. In 2011 we did not hold a special event. In 2012, the chapter will hold either a Sojourn in either the Spring or Summer or a banquet, depending on availability of volunteers to help plan it.
About Bristlecone Chapter Events
Bristlecone Chapter Field Trips:
Every year the Bristlecone Chapter plans a variety of excursions to interesting and floriferous places. Our trips usually begin in late March to points in the low desert of our region, such as Death Valley or the Mojave Desert, where the flower display begins in early spring. We generally follow the flowers up in elevation as spring and summer progress, ending our quest for blooms in the highest regions of our awesome surrounding mountains in mid-summer. Our explorations usually finish with an appreciation of fall colors displayed in the extensive aspen groves found in the Eastern Sierra. We also schedule seed collecting or cleaning trips and work parties at the Mary DeDecker Native Plant Garden in Independence.
Everyone is welcome on our field trips, whether or not you are a member of CNPS, and whether or not you know a turnip from a scarlet monkeyflower!
Field Trip Policies
See photos of previous field trips and events in our scrapbook
Annual Bristlecone Chapter Events:
The Bristlecone Chapter hosts two events on alternate years – a Sierra Spring or Summer Sojourn, and the Bristlecone Chapter Banquet. The Sojourn is a weekend of field trips, evening programs and visiting. In 2009 it was held in July at the Crooked Creek Facility in the White Mountains. In 2011 the chapter will hold a Sojourn in either the Spring or Summer. Plans for the 2011 Sojourn will be announced this winter. Our 2010 Banquet will be held at the Crowley Lake Community Center on July 26 (see the July events above for more details). Our chapter members are encouraged to attend both events. The public is also welcome.
Also don't miss our Annual Native Plant Sales!
General Bristlecone Chapter Meetings and Presentations:
Membership meetings include brief discussion of chapter business, followed by a presentation by a guest speaker. Presentations are geared to appeal to persons of a wide range of knowledge of native plants, from beginners to professional botanists. The November meeting each year is a pot luck, often with a members’ slide show in lieu of a speaker.
Unless otherwise announced, General Chapter Meetings will be at the White Mountain Research Station (3000 E. Line St. Bishop).
