CNPS Sacramento Valley Wildflower Weekend 2007

Wildflower Weekend History - In 2005, the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society hosted their first annual Wildflower Weekend. It was designed to be a showcase of native plants of our region coupled with a native plant sale. It drew many botany and gardening enthusiasts as well as families with an interest in nature. There never has been an admission charge because we want to attract the widest possible audience. The event is held at Crawford's Barn, a wonderful space that has been converted into a community center by the homeowners' association in Sacramento's College Greens East area. We present hundreds of wildflowers of our region in the context of their natural habitat, or their plant community. Each plant community is represented by an informative and attractive exhibit hosted by an expert naturalist. The exhibits feature wildflowers as well as samples of grasses, shrubs and trees supplemented with inspiring photographs depicting examples of the plant communities at the landscape level. In 2006, the event expanded to include a photographic display of rare and endangered plants in addition to a photographic display of birds associated with each plant community. We also featured a native plant sale on both Saturday & Sunday. Then, for this year's Wildflower Weekend, start with the Discovery Zone -inside the exhibit, then the 'Under the Tent' events, details outlined below:

DISCOVERY ZONE
Many fun challenges await you! Can you:
- Name a riparian tree that can readily re-root once toppled over and drifted downstream?
- Name all the ways plants disperse their seeds (through the digestive process of animals is one way)?
- Name a chaparral plant that is entirely non-toxic, its berries feed people and animals, its bark can be made into tea, and is adapted to surviving and thriving in fire events?
- Complete a California endangered species crossword puzzle (with answers on the back)?
UNDER THE TENT
The venue for several events in front the Main Exhibit to welcome more folks in to the main exhibit.
GARDENING WITH NATIVES, Saturday, April 21 10:00 pm.
- Have you ever wondered what a Native Plant is or why you should care if you garden with native plants?
- What do you get out of planting natives?
- How can you go about converting your yard to a native garden?
  
  These questions and more are explored as Jessica Hankins, Horticulture Chair for the Sacramento Valley Chapter of CNPS, takes you through the basics of gardening with California Native Plants!
  
  GO NATIVES!!
NATIVE AMERICAN USES, Sunday , April 22 10:00 am.
Diana Almendariz, Maidu/ Wintun/ Hupa/ Yurok, will hold a workshop about native plants, their uses and how to plan your own native front and/or back yard habitat. Diana is currently on the committee for the American Indian Education and is working with DQU (a tribal college) on a plan is to redirect the land to restoration and cultural preservation.
PUPPET SHOW, Sunday , April 22 2:00 pm.
A children's favorite our first year, the Puppet Show returns! The young and young-at-heart will enjoy this fun and educational presentation featuring talk show host Helen DeGoosiness and Phil Sky, the Plant Science Guy!
WILD ANIMALS ~ WILD HABITATS! Saturday, April 21 2:00 pm.
- Join Effie Yeaw Nature Center naturalist Shawna Protze and meet some live wild animals including Tanner, the red-tailed hawk. Get a close-up look at how animals are adapted to their habitats and discover why habitat is vital to their survival.
  Go Wild!!!