Category: Monarchs and Milkweed
-
Support Wildlife with California Native Plants
Karen Graham, a bluebird monitor, actively supports Western Bluebirds in Deerfield Park by checking nest boxes and advocating for native plants in landscaping. These plants provide essential food and shelter, crucial for the birds’ survival amidst habitat loss. Emphasizing native flora fosters biodiversity and strengthens local ecosystems.
-
Finding Peace in Native Gardening: Tips and Reflections
Members of a local gardening chapter share insights on how their native gardens foster peace of mind amidst global challenges. Contributions highlight themes of connection to nature, the joy of nurturing native plants, and the solace found in wildlife interactions and personal reflection. Gardening is depicted as a meaningful, calming practice that brings community together.
-
Meet Katie Newman: Advocate for California Native Plants
Katie Newman, a board member of the OCCNPS, shares her journey with California native plants, influenced by her gardening family and studies at UC Davis. She’s currently working on outreach through social media while cultivating a garden with both natives and non-natives. Her goal is to reshape perceptions of native landscaping.
-
Join OCCNPS in Supporting Native Plants and Biodiversity
During a visit to Vera’s Sanctuary amid strong Santa Ana winds and ash from a fire, the interconnectedness of nature became apparent. The Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS) focuses on promoting native plants, offering education and support for conservation efforts, while recognizing the contributions of volunteers and community members toward…
-
Insights on California Native Plants from OCCNPS Treasurer
Lindsey Giron, treasurer of the OCCNPS, shares her journey and insights on California native plants. With a background in hospitality and accounting, she emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature. Currently, she is establishing workshops at Tree of Life Nursery and aims to engage more people in appreciating native plants and their ecosystems.
-
Tracey Daschbach: A Journey with California Native Plants
Tracey Daschbach, member-at-large of the California Native Plant Society Orange County Chapter (OCCNPS), is featured in today’s article compiled by Thea Gavin. A person of many talents (software engineer, full-time parent, Braille Institute librarian, UCI Herbarium volunteer, nature-inspired textile artist), Tracey shares her skills with our chapter in many areas: E-newsletter lead, plant sales, A…
-
California in My Garden Tour Coming to Orange County
The California Native Plant Society Orange County Chapter (OCCNPS) is hosting a two-day garden tour featuring 22 gardens that are at least 50 percent California native plants. This is your chance to view public and private gardens that feature California native plants in landscapes in North and South Orange County. When you take the tour,…
-
Find Native Plants that Best Support Butterflies and Moths
Guest author, Chris Cosma, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, Riverside, shared this October 23, 2023 article about his web application called The Butterfly Net that helps gardeners know which native plants are most supportive of butterflies and moths. Which native plants are the best for insects?…
-
Climate Change & Habitat Disruptions: Connected by Carbon Dioxide
A guest blog by Michael Aucott. Mike is a retired research scientist of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. He has also taught chemistry at the College of New Jersey. He is currently a member of the NJDEP Science Advisory Board Standing Committee on Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, and on the board of directors of…
-
Designing a California Native Garden
Today I am highlighting a few California native plants that provide a formal foundation for a home landscape. Planting a California native garden is a beautiful solution for the state’s water challenges because native plants reduce water consumption while also supporting nature. If you have space in your home landscape, a Coast Live Oak (Quercus…
-
Why Native Plants Matter
California native plants can be a little tricky for the inexperienced gardener, and if you live in central and north Orange County, they can be hard to find. So why bother planting native plants in your garden? Because wildlife, butterflies, and native bumblebees are absolutely dependent upon local native plants for food and shelter, and…
-
Summer Blooms for Butterflies
You may be aware that milkweed is the only food that monarch caterpillars eat. Monarch butterflies, however, need more than just milkweed to sustain them. Monarchs and other butterflies need gardens that have different species of summer-flowering plants to provide nectar. Today’s post features five terrific summer-blooming California native plants for butterflies that are great…