Land Stewardship & Invasive Species Management

Marin County is stunningly beautiful, with landscapes ranging from the windswept, foggy coasts of the Pacific to sunny, golden hillsides dotted with grand oak trees. The diverse ecosystems of Marin are protected within a number of parks, open spaces, and preserves. Conserving these natural landscapes is the first step to protecting native wildlife and habitat, but it doesn’t stop there. 

Natural areas face many pressures, and one of the most significant is the introduction of non-native invasive species. Invasive plant species disrupt native habitat by crowding out native plants. Non-native plant species have not evolved as part of local ecosystems and many are not used for food and shelter by native wildlife, allowing them to multiply and cover large areas. Reduced native plant abundance and diversity directly affects the many animals which are adapted to interact with native plant species, and gradually degrades habitats and weakens local ecosystems.

Marin CNPS, as part of the statewide Biodiversity Initiative and Stewardship Program, works to restore healthy habitat for native plants and wildlife by partnering with local land management agencies and organizations to steward parks, open spaces, and other lands which support native habitat. We host volunteer stewardship days to remove non-native invasive species, collect native plant seeds, plant native species, and help care for plants in native plant nurseries.