SCB Bulletin Board Forum: Announcements and Events

jcrawford on "CNPS Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations workshop, May 4-6, 2020"

jcrawford — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:19:31 +0000

INSTRUCTOR: John Willoughby, former state botanist for BLM
TARGET AUDIENCE: Professional botanists, ecologists, land managers, resource specialists, and conservationists.
COST: CNPS members: $410
Non-members : $435
For more information and registration go to http://cnps.org/cnps/education/workshops/

Reduced or waived fees: Two spaces are available on a first come first serve basis for all 2010 workshops for students and underemployed people, through our Work Exchange Program. Go to: http://cnps.org/cnps/education/workshops/ to apply.

INSTRUCTOR: John Willoughby

LOCATIONS: Tree People Conference Center and grounds, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Using classroom and field exercises, the workshop will focus on the role of plant population monitoring for adaptive management. Participants will learn how to develop good management objectives Topics cover principles of sampling and several sampling designs, field techniques for measuring vegetation, analyzing monitoring data and presenting results. Participants will receive a copy of the BLM-published book, Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations by Caryl Elzinga, Dan Salzer, and John Willoughby.

misamilliron on "Grant Opportunity: Desert/Solar Research"

misamilliron — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:06:09 +0000

The California Energy Commission is seeking proposals from private entities, including non-profit organizations and private universities, to help reduce the environmental impacts of solar energy projects in California, particularly with respect to biological impacts in the California desert. Although public entities, such as national laboratories and public universities, cannot apply to this grant solicitation, they can participate as subcontractors to private-entity applicants. This competitive grant solicitation is sponsored by the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Energy-Related Environmental Program to investigate one or more of the following:
A. Innovative mitigation strategies other than land acquisition that would effectively offset the negative impacts of California solar energy development on special-status species and sensitive plant communities; and/or rigorous validation of and/or improvements to frequently recommended mitigation measures (for example, habitat restoration, fencing).

B. New or enhanced habitat suitability models that help to: predict the distribution of special-status plants and animals and sensitive plant communities within the Mojave and Colorado Desert regions; evaluate the impact of solar energy technologies, plant designs, and/or solar project site selection on special-status plants and animals and sensitive plant communities; and provide planning tools to assist in the siting, design, permitting, and mitigation of solar energy projects.

C. An improved impact assessment on species abundance and viability of relocating desert tortoise and/or other special-status plants and animals away from solar energy sites using currently established protocols; and/or develop improved protocols for relocation.

D. Numerical thresholds for viability of listed species populations (i.e., minimum viable population size) in regions within the Mojave and Colorado Desert regions targeted for utility scale solar energy development.

E. New or improved framework for conducting cumulative impacts analysis of solar energy development on sensitive biological resources.

For more information on this grant solicitation and how to apply, visit http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/pier.html#PON-09-007 .

Stage 1 proposals are due March 3, 2010, and a pre-proposal workshop will be held on January 28, 2010.

FloraCNPS on "CNPS Photo Contest"

FloraCNPS — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:37:29 +0000

For more information and entry form, please see www.cnps.org.

Fabulous prizes for the CNPS Conservation Conference: Strategies and Solutions Photo Contest!

1st prize: $750, Lowepro Primus AW recycled material backpack, photo published in Fremontia, & 2 complimentary tickets to Conservation Conference banquet. (Total prize value: $1,150)

2nd Prize: $500, Lowepro Primus AW recycled material backpack, photo published in Fremontia, & 2 complimentary tickets to Conservation Conference banquet. (Total prize value: $900)

3rd Prize: $250, Lowepro Primus AW recycled material backpack, photo published in Fremontia, & 2 complimentary tickets to Conservation Conference banquet. (Total prize value: $650)

Runners-up (3): Lowepro Fastpack 250. (Total prize value: $120)

"Conference Choice": The cover of the CNPS 2009 Conservation Conference: Strategies & Solutions Proceedings to be published in 2009.

Subject & Criteria
“California Native Plants”- Photos must be taken in California (or California Floristic Province) and feature plants native to the state. Images may be species specific macro shots, wide angle landscape photos, or pictures of people or animals interacting with the natural environment of California. Photos may be of- but are not limited to- rare or common plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, bryophytes - surprise us!

Digital or Film: Photographer’s Choice, however entries must be accompanied by high resolution digital copies of photos on CD.

Size and Format: 5x7”or 8x10” photos. (Slight variations in size will be accepted.) Please- no mats, no frames, no glass. Photos must be mounted on foam core or backing mat board and enclosed in a clear poly envelope for display at conference. Please mark back of entry with title of the piece and name of photographer.

Deadline for Entries: November 15, 2008. Entries will be accepted by mail September 15- November 14, 2008 and for drop-off Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 11:00-3:00 at the CNPS state office in Sacramento, CA. Entries received after the deadline may be displayed at the conference but will not be eligible for prizes.

More information can be found at the Conservation Conference web site at www.cnps.org.

donald on "Botanical Illustration of Native Desert Flora"

donald — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:43:47 +0000

2009 UPDATE:
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION OF NATIVE DESERT FLORA
with Donald Davidson www.nps.gov/plants/cw/watercolor/index.htm
Study along with other biologists, writers, and artists while helping increase the native flora visual database. College credit optional.
Friday, April 3, 7pm, through Sunday, April 5, 3pm, Desert Studies Center, Mojave National Preserve, Zzyzx, CA. Accommodations and meals included.
CONTACT:
Linda Coco
Program Representative
Science, Law & Health Programs
UC Riverside Extension
1200 University Ave., #336
Riverside, CA 92507
951-827-1618 - Direct
951-827-7374 - Fax
www.extension.ucr.edu

DonnieHaigh on "Habitat Stewards Training"

DonnieHaigh — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:26:09 +0000

Become a part of the Team! Join us for this 3 part-training program that will get you ready to assist in planting California native plants at the Nature Center. Monthly meetings and work parties will provide ongoing opportunities to sharpen your gardening skills, make new friends and help restore the land back to natives.
Program begins Friday, September 26 9 am – 12 pm.
Call for information and registration packet. (562) 570-1750
$40 materials fee.

DonnieHaigh on "El Dorado Nature Center's California Native Plant Sale"

DonnieHaigh — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:24:11 +0000

On Saturday October 25, 2008 from 9:30 – 2:00 pm, El Dorado Nature Center will be hosting its annual California Native Plant Sale sponsored by Partners of Parks. Most of the plants available are well suited to Southern California’s dry climate and require minimal watering once established. Many have fragrant foliage and bear brightly colored flowers that are attractive to butterflies and birds. All proceeds go to support habitat restoration at the Nature Center. Be sure and come early for best selection. Members of Friends of El Dorado Nature Center may make pre-sale purchases beginning at 9:00 am. Your $7 vehicle entry fee will be credited toward all purchases of $75 or more. For more information, please call (562) 570-4880. Memberships to the Friends of El Dorado Nature Center may be purchased at the event.
Location:
El Dorado Nature Center
7550 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, Ca 90815

StaciMarkos on "Compositae identification workshop"

StaciMarkos — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:48:51 +0000

April 26 – 27, 2008

Beginning with an overview of morphological characteristics of composites (family-wide), including a review of terms used in descriptions and keys, we will provide a synopsis of diversity within Compositae and a brief introduction to recognition of tribes. Then, we will concentrate on Heliantheae (broadly defined) and will ultimately focus on diagnostic traits and relationships of tarweeds (Madiinae), including the diverse kinds of Hawaiian tarweeds known as silverswords, which are glamorous descendants of a Californian tarweed. We hope that this workshop will prove to be an effective solvent for sticky problems in tarweed identification and that participants may even come away with enhanced admiration for tarweeds, one of our most maligned and distinctly Californian groups of plants.

Course fee $225/$250

Instructors: Bruce G. Baldwin and John L. Strother
Location: UC Berkeley

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/workshops/2008/index.html

Contact: Anna Larsen (alarsen@berkeley.edu; 510-643-7008)

donalddavidson on "speakers needed re: old spanish trail 6-5-08"

donalddavidson — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:26:24 +0000

Speaker, audio/visual presenter or workshop facilitator needed for Old Spanish Trail annual conference in Espanola (northwest of Santa Fe, NM) for sometime June 5-8, 2008.

Topic: Native plants of the Old Spanish Trail (www.oldspanishtrail.org).
Of most interest would be medicinal, food, clothing use and related lore.
General botany of the 2700 mile Santa Fe to Los Angeles (or any special portion of) also welcome.

Contact:
donald davidson
association manager
old spanish trail association
www.oldspanishtrail.org
davidson@interpretnature.us
tel: 202-744-3647

naomi on "Botanical Illustration of Native Desert Flora"

naomi — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:22:50 +0000

Join artist/illustrator, Donald Davidson (http://www.nps.gov/plants/cw/watercolor/index.com), for a rare opportunity to revitalize one's professional skills both in the lab and field work en plein-aire during the peak of the spring bloom at the Desert Studies Center within the Mojave National Preserve.

Botanical Illustration of Native Desert Flora (ART 1509) will be offered through California State University, San Bernardino for credit or non-credit.
WHAT: As much a course in "art for botanists" as it will be "botany for artists." The focus will be on how to enhance artistic skills for keying out native plant species in the preparation of scientific, literary, and artistic journals. Participants can look forward some very exciting nature drawing and watercolor painting opportunities! Application of line control, proportion, color, focusing/perception skills and plant identification will be reinforced with detailed dissection work in a well equipped lab, pattern recognition and plenty of creative time for full scale renderings outdoors. Meals and accommodations included in a historic setting.

WHEN: Weekend of March 30-April 1, 2007 during the peak of spring blooming.

WHERE: Desert Studies Center , Zzyzx, CA (2 hour drive west of Las Vegas, NV).

HOW: http://cel.csusb.edu/desert_studies.html , cel@csusb.edu, (909) 537-5975. Registration Deadline: March 16.

Hope you can make it!

Donald Davidson