What we’re about
Want to learn more about Marin native plants? Join us for field trips, lectures, and work parties. Most of our events are free to our members and to the public. For more information, check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter.
For over 50 years, we have been dedicated to the conservation of California native plants and their natural habitats, and to increasing the understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. Annual membership donations to the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) support our programs and conservation work. Additional benefits include our quarterly magazine Flora, our twice-yearly scientific journal Artemisia, and discounts at local nurseries.
Please:
- Sign the Waiver for Marin Chapter 2025, if you have not done so already.
- Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
- Treat everyone with respect.
- No dogs at these events.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Volunteer Workday at Marin County Parks & OSD Native Plant NurseryLagoon Park - Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA
Volunteer Workday at Marin County Parks & Open Space District Native Plant Nursery
Tuesday, September 16, 10am-12pm
Leaders: Aja Wylder, Marin County Parks Nursery Manager; Stacey Pogorzelski, Marin CNPS
Location: Marin County Native Plant Nursery in San Rafael, near the Marin County Civic Center.Join us for a fun morning of pruning and transplanting native plants at the Marin County Parks and Open Space District Nursery. Set in a lovely, shaded garden, the Nursery grows native plants to be used in habitat restoration projects throughout parks and natural preserves in Marin. Aja will provide a tour of the nursery, demonstrate nursery methods, and describe how the plants being grown will be used in restoration projects. Volunteer activities may include pruning, potting up seedlings, transplanting plants into larger pots, pot washing, or working in the native plant garden.
Volunteers should wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and clothing layers they don't mind getting dirty. Please bring sun protection and a water bottle. Gloves and tools will be provided. No prior nursery experience is required.
Directions to the Marin County Native Plant Nursery:
From the south, drive north on Highway 101 to the San Pedro Rd. exit. Take the San Pedro Rd. exit and stay to the right. At the light, turn left onto Civic Center Drive. Turn right onto Matthew Hymel Drive, just before the Lagoon Park. This looks like a big parking lot, but you’re in the right spot. Follow the road to the end of the parking lot and park. There is a gate in the fence on the north, walk through the gate and the nursery will be on your right.
From the north, drive south on Highway 101 to the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway exit. Turn left onto Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy and follow it over the highway, then go left to stay on the Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy and make an immediate right onto Civic Center Drive. Follow Civic Center Drive past the Lagoon Park and then turn left onto Matthew Hymel Drive, just after Lagoon Park. This will look like a big parking lot. Follow the road to the end of the parking lot and park. There is a gate in the fence on the north, walk through the gate and the nursery will be on your right.
Please note that the nursery is a short walk from the Civic Center SMART Train station.
See attached map for parking and walking directions.
Max: 14 volunteers
- Novato Baylands Invasive Plant RemovalSouth Hamilton Park Parking Lot, Novato, CA
Novato Baylands Invasive Plant Removal
Friday, September 26, 2025
9am to 11:30am
Leader: Stacey Pogorzelski
Location: Novato Baylands, at south end of Hangar Ave, NovatoPlease sign the CNPS 2025 waiver if you haven’t already this year.
We’ve worked at the Novato Baylands nursery, now let’s get into the field! Join Point Blue staff to remove invasive plants in the South Seasonal Wetlands, part of the Hamilton Baylands restoration area. We will weed oppositeleaf Russian thistle (Salsola Soda) and Stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens), both pull up nicely by hand, or possibly using tools such as shovels or trowels. It’s a great opportunity to see the Bay Trail, seasonal wetlands, bird life, and possibly some recent planting areas. We will walk together .2 miles to the site for weeding. Point Blue will supply all tools, gloves, shade, and light snacks and have it in a truck nearby. A porta-potty will be available. Rain cancels.
Please bring: water, sun protection, long pants, sturdy shoes, long sleeves (Stinkwort can be a skin irritant for some people, so we do recommend long sleeves).
Meet at the the south end of Hangar Ave in Novato. GPS coordinates: 38.051393, -122.511148. Park in the parking lot under/near the solar panels north of the playground.
Contact Stacey at marincnpsvolunteers@gmail.com with questions.
Limit: 7 from Meetup
Please:
- Practice clean trail etiquette. Pocket Guide – Every Step Counts and Cleanliness Tips for Hikers
- Sorry, no dogs on this trip.
