Most years spring starts to unfold gradually; then it provides a surge of abundant wildflower displays; and finally the flowers fade slowly amidst the drying grasses. Finding the most prolific wildflower sites can become a treasure hunt with colorful blooms at the end of the search.
This year is exceptional both in the lack of overall precipitation and the extremely early start to the wildflower season. Some areas that often have brilliant displays of diverse wildflowers have produced only limited blooms. Others have produced pulses of colorful flowers, but just a week or two later, the flowers are already done.
Scattered pockets of shooting stars (shown above) grow in a moist site along Highway 120, greeting visitors traveling to Yosemite Park.
Redbud bushes (at left) contrast brightly with the muted greens of the chaparral on Old Priest Grade.
CSERC Seeks Volunteers once again to do fun, productive restoration work!
For those of you who enjoy doing hands-on work to help restore nature or to prevent resource damage, below are some of CSERC’s upcoming workday projects to pencil in on your calendar. Many more projects will be scheduled soon, so stay informed by getting on our volunteer list. Email Julia at: [email protected]
Upcoming projects (many more TBA):
- April 18th – Crandall Peak restoration, Mi Wok Ranger District. We’ll naturalize a one-mile section of a ridgeline with sensitive plant species where unauthorized vehicle routes have resulted in erosion and soil damage.
- May 16th – Meadow fencing near Lake Moran, Calaveras RD. We plan to build a fence to protect several rare plant species found in this two-acre meadow.
- May 30th – Deer Creek restoration, Mi Wok RD. Help block unauthorized vehicle routes that intrude into key “quiet zones” for wintering deer, or have damaged shallow soils in “lava cap” habitat, or have caused riparian damage.
- June 13th – Crab Meadow fen fencing, Summit RD. Help us set up the seasonal fence that protects a sensitive wetland habitat that was previously degraded by livestock, and is now protected from damage.