Vegetation Program

Vegetation Workshops

CNPS Chapter-Based Rare Vegetation Sampling/Mapping Workshop
Saddle Creek North, Orange County
June 8-9, 2013

The CNPS Vegetation Program is conducting a field-based sampling/mapping workshop in Orange County at the Saddle Creek North property, which is managed by the Conservation Fund. This workshop will focus on techniques to identify and survey rare natural communities using our combined CNPS/CDFW protocols. The overall goals of the workshop are to learn about the vegetation on site, learn to identify discrete stands of vegetation and estimate percent covers, and become familiar with the Relevé method for sampling vegetation. We will also discuss low-tech options for contributing to vegetation mapping efforts.

The property is diverse and will allow sampling of scrub oak chaparral and coast live oak woodland. Other vegetation types we hope to sample include coastal sage scrub and cactus scrub.

The cost of the workshop is $25 for CNPS members, $70 for non-members, which includes a one-year membership to CNPS. The precise meeting location, agenda, and options for lodging (with specifics on camping as well as hotels, and important items to bring) will be posted here as a link.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Deborah Stout no later than Friday May 24, 2013, if possible, so that we can arrange travel plans and other specifics. The Vegetation Program staff looks forward to meeting and working with your Chapter members!

CNPS Chapter-Based Rare Vegetation Sampling Workshop
April 23-24, 2013
Hell’s Half Acre, Nevada County

The CNPS Vegetation Program is conducting a field-based sampling/mapping workshop at Hell’s Half Acre in Nevada County. This workshop will focus on techniques to identify and survey rare natural communities using our combined CNPS/CDFW protocols. The overall goals of the workshop are to learn about the diversity of vegetation at Hell’s Half Acre, learn to identify discrete stands of vegetation and estimate percent covers, and become familiar with the Relevé and Rapid Assessment methods for sampling vegetation.

Hell’s Half Acre is a special bit of botanical heaven in the Sierra Nevada foothills where acres of brilliant wildflowers bloom in spring. Surrounded by pine and oak forest, Hell’s Half Acre is a distinctive open habitat sometimes called a “Mehrten meadow”. The forest opening is formed by shallow soils underlain by a hard volcanic mudflow, or lahar. Geologists call this a Mehrten Formation. Due to the cement-like layer and gentle slopes, rainfall collects in shallow depressions before slowly draining off or evaporating.

The cost of the workshop is $25 for CNPS members, $65 for non-members that includes a one-year membership to CNPS. The precise meeting location, agenda, and options for lodging (with specifics on camping and hotels, as well as important items to bring) will be sent out to participants in April.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Deborah Stout no later than April 12, 2013, if possible, so that we can arrange travel plans and other specifics. The Vegetation Program staff looks forward to meeting and working with your Chapter members!