Past, present, future insights from board members

This article was compiled by Thea Gavin and features Lindsey Giron, treasurer of the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS).

Lindsey Giron is a first-generation American from Salvadorian parents. As one of the chapter’s newest board members, Lindsey uses her years of experience in the hospitality industry to help the chapter be a good steward of its financial resources.

Now employed at Tree of Life Nursery, Lindsey says she did not hesitate when Laura Camp (a leader for decades at both Tree of Life as well as CNPS) reached out and asked if she was interested in the treasurer position on the board. “I was excited, because at this point in life, I understand the importance of passing the torch as well as being open to receive it. I was an accounting manager for seven years earlier in my career and I enjoyed it, so it was a ‘yes’ for me!”

Here are some of Lindsey’s insights into her past, present, and future with California native plants:

Past

How did you get interested in native plants?

When I was a child in Altadena, we lived near the Gabrielino Trail Western Trailhead. We called it the “JPL trail,” and while growing up, that is where I would bike and hike. I have always found a sense of peace and excitement in nature, especially in the mountains—a reminder that life can be simple. 

I also remember just sitting under the shade of an oak while having a snack, enjoying stillness, the sounds of the wildlife, and the occasional breeze working its way through the leaves to surround me with nature’s music.

Even though I have these good memories, I did not truly understand California’s landscape until I reconnected with nature while attending Horticulture 101 at Saddleback Community College with Professor Robert Farnsworth. 

This is where my learning about the California’s native plants revealed another layer, the wildlife this habitat attracts.  

My experiences in Horticulture 101 led to a volunteer internship at Tree of Life Nursery (TOLN). That only lasted one day, though—I was hired after my first day of interning!

With my background in accounting and sales in the hospitality industry, plus my enthusiasm for nature, I was able to start in the Landscape Department and soon be promoted to Employee Relations. Lately I have been assisting in retail and getting more exposure for the vast number of natives we grow.

Since Patty Roess’s recent retirement after 22 years at TOLN, Casa La Paz has a new manager, Rachael Davidson. Now Rachael and I are collaborating to continue Patty’s work by offering opportunities for people to engage with plants, such as a painting workshop earlier this month by Emyle Rogers. There are many ways to enjoy California’s plants, and these workshops bring in all kinds of experts to show us the possibilities.

Do you have any native plant “heroes” or mentors who shaped your interest in native plants?

Randi Gunder is my California native plant hero. She is a talented artist who designs gardens exclusively with native plants, so her work really captures the beauty of California. I have been lucky to learn from her and watch her designs come to life. Her work reminds me that to spend time in nature is to enjoy Mother Earth’s art show. 

I met Randi the first day I interned at TOLN. She had heard about my background and blew in like the wind and asked to speak with me, under an oak.

Soon I started working with her in the TOLN landscaping department. I remember one major landscape installation in San Clemente that she designed. We installed over 500 California native plants from 80 different species in approximately 2,000 sq. ft. that was once dominated by concrete. The homeowners removed a pool from their backyard and transformed their entire landscape to California plants! In doing so it has positively transformed their lives as well—that’s the beauty of such work.

Now Randi works for her own company, Nature House. My favorite gardens that she has designed and installed—that’s where she really makes the magic happen—are in San Clemente and Laguna Beach. I know there are some in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Long Beach, but I have not seen them in person yet. She hasn’t had one of her garden designs featured on an OCCNPS tour. . . yet!

Present

What native-plant related ideas/projects are you working on right now?

Currently, at Tree of Life Nursery, I am assisting in establishing an area for more workshops where people can engage with native plants. It will be permanent space in a new area, right next to Casa La Paz.

On October 19th, we will have an author talk with Jeremy Spath, co-author of the new book, Dudleyas. Attendees will have an opportunity to use our potting station with the purchase of a Dudleya and a pot.

What OCCNPS activities have you participated in and would encourage others to try?

At the South Coast Plaza Plant sale, I enjoyed being the cashier and restocking plants because plants found a new home! It was nice to hear that people from Long Beach made the drive to buy some native plants.

At the May OCCNPS chapter meeting featuring landscape designers, I enjoyed hearing how some designers only design with California plants. These kinds of meetings are great opportunities for members to learn and participate in discussions.

In October, I look forward to the Kayak Tour in the Upper Newport Bay. Make sure to secure your spot!

Do you have any natives planted in your yard?

Since I do not have my own yard, I gift natives. Some of the species I like to give include Mimulus pictus, Epipactus gigantea, Stachys bullata, Clinopdium douglasii and chandleri.

Future

What are your goals for our chapter and/or the California native plant community at large?

I look forward to doing my part as treasurer as well as helping spread the word so more Californians can learn about and enjoy native plants. There are many ways CNPS can help along the way, and I also look forward to continuing to discover ways to expand our demographic. The “how” is the journey I am currently on.

Any words of native plant encouragement?

It’s personal–discover what it means to you! If you’re open, native plants can transform you. You don’t have to know everything—just start with how it makes you feel when you recognize a native plant and notice the wildlife it attracts.

It’s like seeing a friend, so say, “Hi!” 

A favorite memory is one time when I was out hiking, I passed a large patch of California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and saw so many butterflies emerge. It was magical! Native plants are friends that share their beauty . . . and their friends.

Something magical happens when you notice the details: movement, scent, texture, color. With California native plants comes a vast amount of wildlife, life like you’ve never seen before, and natives make it all possible.

I have a friend, Shelley, who photographs nature and captures its geometry, which has helped train my eye. I say this because there are many ways to begin or enhance your journey.

What is something you have learned about native plants that you didn’t know when you started this journey?

Native plant habitats remind me of the natural flow of life. We can find peace in nature; change is okay and natural. We have cycles in life the same way there are seasons, and we are here to evolve. We can offer shade and support to others—like keystone species. We are all unique and can play our own role in a community. We humans tend to overthink, and nature reminds us there is a natural course to discover and enjoy in life.