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For the first time, the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) state-wide Conservation Conference, is being held in San Diego this week: January 10-14, Tuesday through Saturday. This conference is the only event in California to focus exclusively on native plant issues; and without plants, there would not be any animals – including us (except in those weird pitch-dark ecosystems at deep-sea vents!)

The final day, Saturday January 14, from 10 AM to 3 PM, attendance will be FREE for the general public with a special program (see details below) for these visitors. Experts will provide talks on home and school native plant gardens, kids and plant science, hands-on art and journaling and gardening tips, and fun workshops on Native American uses of plants, including basket weaving. The Free Public Day Saturday is a unique opportunity that the local chapter of CNPS has worked hard to provide and especially looks forward to meeting everyone who comes to pick up some plant facts.

The only cost will be $5/day parking. The Conference is at the Town & Country Resort in West Mission Valley, 500 Hotel Circle North.

Details of Conservation Conference Public Day -  Saturday January 14
The public is invited to…
• Botanical Art and Photography exhibitions
• Scientific and conservation posters made by researchers and CNPS chapter members
• Over 25 Exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall, exhibitor list
• University Student Presentations -10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Thirteen, 20 minute talks on many subjects, excellent for people of all ages interested in pursuing a career in the natural sciences

The Public can attend the morning professional Conference sessions, space permitting:
• Tribal Conservation and Uses of native plants
• Horticulture: Part of Conservation is Growing
• The Vital Role of Education in Conservation

I. Native Plant Gardening: Native Plant Propagation, Care and Maintenance, Beautiful Flowering Natives for your Garden, Attracting Wildlife to your Native Garden, How to Design a Native Garden,

II. Children and Nature for Adults: Learning in Nature’s Classrooms, San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative, Creating Place-Based Science Projects, Parenting in Nature Workshop, Cuyamaca Outdoor School Nature Education Program for 6th graders.

III. Children and Nature, for Children: Drawing Native Plants, Hands-on Gardening Basics, Drawing and Journaling in Nature.

IV. Native Peoples and Plants: Basketry, Native Plant Lore, and more

V. Local Projects and Hot Topics: Regional Conservation Issues, Buena Creek Restoration, Phenology (Study of Native Plant Life Cycles); Fire Management with Native Plants, Amigos de los Rios.

The first four days of this unique event are a fee-based professional conference with field trips, workshops, and presentations on plant science, policy, and conservation. Costs to attend the full conference for non-CNPS-member adult/student $525/175; or single-day costs $190/75. Members’ costs are less and attendees can join CNPS at time of registration to reduce the registration fee.

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