Field Trip & Outings Reports - January, 2026

CNPS Trip Along Lagunitas Creek 1/10/26

Todd Steiner and Carolyn Longstreth lead a Marin CNSP field trip to visit Lagunitas Creek at Samuel P. Taylor State Park on January 10. Steiner talked about efforts by the Salmon Protection & Watershed Network (SPAWN) to improve habitat along the creek and its tributaries for the benefit of Coho salmon and other fish. San Geronimo Creek accounts for 10% of the habitat but produces 50% of the fish that come from the Lagunitas drainage. “The limiting factor for Coho recovery is the lack of places for baby fish to hide”, said Steiner, who described efforts by SPAWN to recreate conditions needed for their survival. We caught a glimpse of fish in the creek, which Steiner said were more likely to be Steelhead at this point in the season. Chinook salmon also spawn in the creek.

Carolyn Longstreth led the group on a hike on the Pioneer Tree Trail where we saw an early blooming redwood violet (Viola sempervirens), the not yet blooming redwood inside out flower (Vancouveria planipetala), and many different ferns.

Paul Barnett

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Regional Parks Botanic Garden 1/28/26

Anna Gil’s idea to offer an opportunity to see this spectacular garden in winter was brilliant. With many geophytes, perennials, and annuals just starting spring growth, leaders Anna, Kurt, and Dave focused our attention on conifers and other trees and bushes. After almost three weeks of dry warmish weather, so many bushes in the garden of California native plants were bursting in bloom. The ground was covered in snow-drop like blossoms from almost every kind of manzanita in California. The silk tassel blossoms were spectacular. Linda enjoyed being able to see the branch structure of the deciduous trees. Anna shared close-up pictures of plant structures that took us to the tops of trees and deep inside them. She showed us private moments between plants and their pollinators. Occasional blossoms from Ribes and Oxalis brightened our spaces. Ferns were prolific throughout the ten “botanical” sections of the garden, surprisingly even in the desert southwest. Kurt’s vast knowledge of plants, their survival strategies, and human uses add so much to every outing.

This garden is a gem to be enjoyed throughout the year. With very little walking you can see a dazzling array of native plants. The garden is easily accessible from Marin, just follow 580, get off at Buchannan and head straight up the hill.