Chapter meetings are open to the public; there is no charge. Come early and browse our books. Stay after the program for conversation and refreshments. We meet in the heart of San Diego, in Balboa Park, in Casa del Prado, room 101 or 104. Casa del Prado can be reached by car from Village Place off of Park Boulevard (served by the #7 bus), and is across from the west entrance of the Natural History Museum. The meeting room is handicapped accessible. (Balboa Park map and driving directions)

New Feature at Chapter Meetings: 

7 - 7:30 pm

Mystery plants identified !

Bring your unknown plant and we will help you learn to identify it!

Jon Rebman Ph.D. is Curator of Botany at the San Diego Natural History Museum. His research interests include the systematics of the cactus family, as well as the flora of San Diego and Imperial counties, and Baja California.

Mary Ann Hawke Ph.D. is the Project Director of the San Diego County Plant Atlas
She is a plant ecologist interested in assessing ecological health in arid lands, and studying the effects of climate change on our local flora.

April 15 , 2008 - Healthy Backyard Habitat: Encouraging birds and butterflies with a native plant garden
By Mel Hinton and David Kimball

This presentation demonstrates how to make a California garden into a slice of natural landscape that requires minimal maintenance, conserves water and best of all attracts wildlife.
This bird friendly habitat has the right mix of native plants and the three things all birds need: food, water and shelter. By using California native plants there will be fewer insect and disease problems and best of all, birds and butterflies are naturally drawn to these plants. This program is designed to get you started on planning your own native plant garden - one that benefits both people and wildlife.

Biographies

Mel Hinton had a career as an airline pilot flying for TWA. Seeing the impact of development and pollution across the country from 33,000 feet made him a conservationist and after retiring he decided to do something about the problem. He joined the San Diego Audubon Society (SDAS) and became a member of their Board of Directors in 2002 and president in 2005. As an active Audubon volunteer he has been involved in a number of conservation issues including coastal sage scrub restoration and environmental advocacy.

David Kimball is on the Board of SDAS and has been an active gardener for many years. He manages the restoration program at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and has worked on several other habitat restoration projects. He is Co-chair of the Friends of Famosa Slough in Point Loma and has been instrumental in the restoration effort of this wetland. David is a Stanford graduate and was an Engineering Manager at Lockheed Martin Corporation.

March 18, 2008 - Insects: One of Nature's Helpers in Plant Reproduction

by Michael Klein
When we think about insects and their relationship with plants we usually think about butterflies or bees gathering pollen or nectar and enjoy watching them go about their daily routine. But Nature has developed a long standing relationship with plants and the insects which pollinate them. Things like flower color or smell or blooming time all go into who and when pollination takes place. Even the shape of pollen grains is an integral part of the strategies plants use for their ability to reproduce. Mr. Klein will introduce you to some of the basics that go into a very complex world between plants and their pollinators.

Biography
Michael Klein is a biologist within the San Diego Region with a love for butterflies and other insects. Over forty years he has spent time on and off learning and experiencing butterflies. Within the past decade he has developed an interest in our natural habitats and has started to look at some of the pollination strategies that make up our unique ecosystems. He is currently studying the pollination of two sensitive plants in San Diego, Lakeside Ceanothus and San Diego Thornmint.

February 19, 2008 - Death Valley - 1998 "Wildflower Year of the Century

by Rosemary Foster

The El Nino rains of 1997-1998 brought a record 5.8 inches of rainfall to DeathValley. The rains were spaced just far enough apart to ensure an extensive growth period and continuous bloom for much of the Death Valley flora. Rosemary Foster, an accomplished horticulturalist and past President Monterey Bay Chapter of CNPS was there and will be sharing her impressions and her photographs with us.

Biography
Rosemary Foster studied horticulture and botany at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and is a horticultural consultant in Carmel. Her current projects include compiling and editing a collection of Lester Rowntree’s articles on the horticultural use of California native plants for publication by CNPS. Her bibliography of Lester Rowntree’s periodical publications (720 entries) was recently published by UC Press in the reprint of Rowntree’s Hardy Californians.

January 15, 2008 -  "Designing California Native Gardens" Book Signing, Slide Show and Plant Sale
Presentation from Alrie Middlebrook, author and owner of Middlebrook Gardens, San Jose

The recently released book Designing California Native Gardens; the Plant Community Approach to Artful Ecological Gardens

Books will be available for sale and can be signed by the co-author, Alrie Middlebrook.

Many native plant nurseries will also be selling plants at the meeting.

Biography

Alrie Middlebrook is a committed advocate and practitioner of the sustainable lifestyle, respected landscape professional and California native plant specialist. Her San Jose, California-based build/design firm, Middlebrook Gardens, has installed over 150 California native gardens and remains on the leading edge of the rising sustainability movement.

She published the California native plant cook book, "Eating California" and co-authored the groundbreaking new book "Designing California Native Gardens; The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens," with renowned field botanist, Dr. Glenn Keator. She produced the first full color glossy magazine focusing on sustainable construction and native gardening, "Green Heart," named after her regional newspaper column.

Middlebrook's native gardens are based on ecologically appropriate plant species and cutting edge sustainable technology and techniques. Advantages to a native garden include reduced costs, greater efficiency and ecological wellness. Her marketing and garden installation program, Lose The Lawn, offers low cost, simple solutions to "lose your lawn" and upgrade to a pesticide free, water saving, low maintenance native landscape. For more information please visit www.losethelawn.com.

Alrie Middlebrook is committed to educating the public and promoting sustainability through native gardening. Her many workshops and speaking engagements at diverse venues throughout the State of California have provided key forums promoting critical knowledge and understanding. Her support of community efforts to embrace sustainability has spawned recent projects like Granada Native Gardens, Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, River Street Historical Gardens and her co-founding of The California Native Garden Foundation.
For more information please visit www.cngf.org.
For more information on Alrie Middlebrook and Middlebrook Gardens, please visit www.middlebrook-gardens.com , www.losethelawn.com .

November 27 , 2007 -  "A Tour of San Diego County's Tallest Trees" Slide Show
by James Lightner author of San Diego County Native Plants
A book so popular, it's now in its second edition!

Books will be available for sale and book signing before and after the meeting.
A full-color photo guide to the county's plants, this book makes a great holiday present!

Fred Roberts will also be at the November meeting selling his original artwork of native plants which includes both pictures for the wall and holiday cards- another great gift idea and some of the proceeds benefit the native plants!!

October 16, 2007 - "Restoration of Coastal Sage Scrub in San Juan Capistrano"

by Marty McPhee of Park West Companies

Marty McPhee will describe the process of re-establishing a coastal sage scrub community on 75 acres of ridgeline on Reed Ranch that had been overgrazed by cattle for over 50 years. Elimination of the resulting infestation of invasive non-native weeds, primarily cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) and mustard (Brassica species), and the seed banks of these weeds, was an extreme challenge that was overcome in this project. Means & methods, trials & tribulations will be discussed!

September 18, 2007 - "Native Plant Fair"

by Greg Rubin, California’s Own Native Landscape Design

Native Plant Fair featuring a brand new presentation on Landscaping with California’s Native Plants by Greg Rubin.

Recon Native Plants, Native Plant Connection, Tree of Life Nursery, Las Pilitas, Moosa Creek and Cal-Native Plants Nurseries will have information tables set up.These expert nurseries specialize in sustainable home gardens and/or habitat restoration.

Biography:

Greg Rubin,owner of California's Own Native Landscape Design, started working with native plants back in 1985, while renovating his parent's home in Chatsworth, CA. Although educated and subsequently employed in a successful engineering career, Greg maintained a fascination with natives based on this early experience. Soon, he was landscaping for friends and family on weekends and holidays. Demand continued to rise, and by 1993, Greg was able to start his successful and unusual landscaping business. Since that time, his company has designed over 400 native landscapes in San Diego County.
Greg has been featured in a number of periodicals including the North County Times, Union Tribune, and magazines such as Sunset, San Diego Home and Garden, San Diego Reader, and California Gardener. Media coverage includes appearances on KGTV, KUSI, and KFMB. He has also been a repeat guest on KPBS radio's These Days with Tom Fudge. Greg regularly gives presentations on native plants to garden clubs and other organizations throughout San Diego County.
Noteworthy projects:
. Design and installation of the Los Angeles City Fire Department Training Center native fire-resistant landscape.
. Department of Homeland Security FEMA grant for design and installation of the Elfin Forest Fire Department firewise landscape.
. Design and installation of UCC Church native garden in La Mesa, CA.
. Wildflower meadow & shade garden at Live Oak Park in Fallbrook, CA, later featured in Sunset Magazine.
. Design and installation of the native landscape at the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District in Escondido, CA.
. The Lerner project, featured on KUSI's Garden Club series.
. Collaboration with Drew and James Hubbell on Shelter Island project.
. Design and specifications for Indian Health Services Santa Ysabel Medical Center landscape.
. Design collaboration and consultation for the Navy Medical Center's Healing Garden.
. Design of 2 acre native landscape at Indian Rock Park in Vista, CA.
. Rennovation of the large wolf enclosure for the California Wolf Center in Julian.
. Re-design of upper Point Loma Native Plant Preserve at Collier park.
. Design collaboration and maintenance for the Buena Vista Audubon Center in Oceanside.
. Shaw-Lopez residential green space in Sorrento Valley.
Workshop/Seminar List:
. University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program
Publication List:
. Spring 1998, Wild Garden Magazine "Creating a Successful Native Landscape".
April 2002, California Gardener Magazine "Why Should Natives Seem so Exotic?"

June 19, 2007 - "Mission Valley Preserve Pollinator Garden",

by Kym Hunter, San Diego River Park Foundation

Learn how the San Diego River Park Foundation, working with community groups, students, agencies, and private partners, is improving a wetland in the Mission Valley Preserve. Formerly dominated by weedy annual non-native plants, the group has brought back the native plants, with a focus on attracting pollinators, to create a pleasant community place in an area of the City that is currently lacking in park lands. Kym will also discuss progress made in organizing volunteer groups to care for the Point Loma Native Plant Garden.

May 15, 2007 - "Innovative Irrigation Systems for Native Plant Restoration",

by David Bainbridge, Marshall Goldsmith School of Management. Alliant International University

Author of the recently released “A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration”, David Bainbridge will discuss the ecology of desert plants, and proven techniques for restoring degraded arid regions.
 

Biography:
  ▪ David A. Bainbridge is active as a researcher, author and consultant in sustainable management.
  ▪ His work has taken him to China, Mexico, Belize, Portugal, Jordan and England. His articles have appeared in a wide range of journals – from Restoration Ecology to Agricultural Water Management to Resource Engineering and Technology for a Sustainable World, and Solar Today. He has written 11 books and 12 book chapters and more than 250 articles and reports.

  ▪ He is also active as a reviewer for proposals and programs (NSF, USDA, universities) and journals (Environmental Management, Natural Hazards, Restoration Ecology, Restoration and Management Notes, and many others).
  ▪ Past advisor: California Energy Commission, California Department of Transportation, National Affordable Housing Coalition.
 

April 17, 2007 - "The San Diego River Restoration Project in Lakeside: An Integrated Approach to Restoration",

by Robin Rierdan, Executive Director Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy
 

Lakeside's River Park Conservancy has embarked on an ambitious 100 acre restoration project along the San Diego River. Robin will describe the plan and progress towards creating and restoring a variety of habitats, including emergent wetlands, riparian, coastal sage, and a mix of grasslands.  Flood control and water quality are also integral to the project. 
 

March 20, 2007 - "Computer Aided Wildflower Species Identification",

by Ken Bowles
 

While assembling a portfolio of close-up digital photographs of San Diego's immensely diverse wildflowers, Ken Bowles found himself spending more time identifying the species in his photos than in all other activities combined. Therefore, Ken has used the Lucid3 software application to build a Multiple-Entry key for wildflowers of San Diego County, focusing first on the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and more recently on San Diego’s other wildflower families. The key supplements the use of the standard dichotomous key in the Jepson Manual. The presentation will show how to identify several obscure species using photographs. The Multiple-Entry keys are available for public use on Ken's website. Ken’s photos are also featured on the Plant Atlas home page.

The title refers back to "CAI" (Computer Aided Instruction) which used to be a big topic in universities and their computer centers. Ken was professor of computer science at UCSD from 1965 until 1984, and directed the main campus computer center during part of that. He started using computers for environmental monitoring (initially, radar probing of the ionized upper atmosphere) in 1950.

Ken Bowles grew up in a wildflower oriented family, then spent his career working with computers - first for atmospheric studies using radar, then teaching software engineering at UCSD. On retirement, he turned to close-up digital photographs of San Diego's immensely diverse wildflowers, and quickly found himself spending more time identifying species than in all other activities combined. Hoping to help others with similar ID problems, he built a website photo-based identification key modeled on a CD-Rom published by CNPS East-Bay chapter people. But the photos-only approach proved un-helpful for working with the larger botanic families, and the top-level dichotomous keys of the Jepson Manual not useful at all.

Eventually, to make progress with his Asteraceae (Sunflower) family photos, Ken turned to the "Lucid3" tool of Univ. Queensland, and built a Multiple-Entry (spreadsheet-like) key for the Asteraceae known to grow in San Diego County (per the SDNHM "Checklist"). The success of this approach was so dramatic that he has now turned to building a similar M-E key for most of our other wildflower families. This presentation will illustrate progress to date by showing identification of several obscure species from photographs. Both of these M-E keys are available for public use on Ken's website.

 

February 20, 2007 - "Guns & Roses – Adventures in Desert Restoration at the
U.S. Army National Training Center, Fort Irwin",

Michelle Cloud-Hughes
 

The Soil Ecology & Restoration Group at San Diego State University specializes in native plant revegetation and erosion control on government lands throughout southern California. For the past 15 years, SERG has been doing desert restoration and research in the central Mojave Desert at the U.S. Army's National Training Center, Fort Irwin. This presentation will focus on SERG's trials, tribulations, and successes with restoration in this harsh environment. Many photos of spectacular desert wildflowers will also be featured.

Michelle Cloud-Hughes is a project manager and botanist for the Soil Ecology & Restoration Group at San Diego State University. She began working for SERG as an undergraduate in 1997 and immediately fell in love with the adventures and satisfactions of restoration work in remote desert environments. Michelle has been a desert rat since her first visit to Joshua Tree National Park shortly after moving to southern California in 1991. She has been photographing plants for 4 years and has submitted over 600 photos to the CalPhotos online image library.

January 16, 2007 - "Native Medicinal Herbs",

James David Adams, Jr. Ph.D. and Cecilia Garcia
 

Cecilia Garcia, a Chumash healer and James Adams, a professor of Pharmacology at the University of Southern California will discuss healing with native plants. They are co-authors of “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West - Cultural and Scientific Basis for Their Use".