Floristic Study of Swanton Pacific Ranch with Reed Kenny (Zoom talk)
Traversing Swanton: A multigenerational floristic study of the Cal Poly Swanton Pacific Ranch
A talk by Reed Kenny
Tuesday, June 6, 6:30 pm
The Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR) is located north of the town of Davenport, in Santa Cruz County, California, and is owned by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. SPR is approximately 1,295 ha and contains areas of salt marsh, coastal prairie, coastal bluff scrub, central coastal scrub, riparian forest, redwood forest, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral. The property extends over an elevational gradient from 0 m to 420 m. In this study, we conducted a floristic inventory at SPR and documented 634 taxa. We vouchered 546 taxa with 974 specimens. We were unable to locate 64 taxa that had been previously reported, 28 represented from historic collections and 36 represented by personal observations but lacking vouchers. Overall, we documented 93 families at SPR, with Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae having the most species, respectively. California rare taxa, listed by the California Native Plant Society, made up 2.5% of the flora. Locally rare taxa made up 10% of the flora (N = 66) Non-native taxa made up 26% of the flora (N = 169). We vouchered one new taxon for Santa Cruz County, Senecio aphanactis DC., which has a California Rare Plant Rank of 2B.2; documented a new occurrence of Hesperocyparis abramsiana (C.B. Wolf) Bartel var. abramsiana, a Federally Threatened conifer; and collected a form of Sanicula crassicaulis Poepp. ex DC that we have published as a new variety, Sanicula crassicaulis var. nudicaulis. Overall, this relatively small coastal ranch contains approximately 10% of the flora of California.
To register for this free webinar, visit https://cnps-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlde-grjMsE9JPnfrsnWBasWv9IO6Zpp1v
About the Speaker: Reed Kenny is a PhD. candidate at UC Davis, currently studying the phylogenetic systematics of Juncaceae. He completed a M.S. degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2020 focused on documenting the plant diversity of Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch. He received his B.S. from UC Santa Cruz in 2018 and worked at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum during his time in Santa Cruz. He owes his love for botany to the wonderful mentorship and guidance he received from the Santa Cruz botanical community, in particular, his longtime friend and mentor Brett Hall.
Past Events
Chapter General Meeting
Monday, April 3, 2023
Plant Keying Session with Deanna Giuliano: 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Learn about local Ceanothus species popular for landscaping. Flowers important
for bees and butterflies, seed pods are a food source for birds and mammals.
General Membership Meeting: 7:00 pm
Location: UCSC Arboretum and Botanic Garden
Field Trips
Fort Ord with Andy Werner
Tuesday, April 11, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Enjoy a leisurely hike with leader Andy Werner. Fort Ord should be terrific at this time of the year! Meet at Jerry Smith entrance on Intergarrison Road at 9:30. Distance will be approximately 5-6 miles at most, with little elevation gain. Back to parking area by 1:30. Bring lunch and/or snacks with water. Limit ten people. To sign up, contact Andy at apwerner44@gmail.com
Bonny Doon Preserve with Andy Werner
Tuesday, May 30, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
We can talk about whether people would like to take the new loop trail built by Land Trust of Santa Cruz that crosses Laguna Creek and back. It’s about 1 and 1/2 miles with some uphill.Meet at the Bonny Doon Firehouse on Martin Road at 9:30. We should be back at the Firehouse by 1:30 or so. Bring lunch and/or snacks, with water. Limit ten people. To sign up, contact Andy at apwerner44@gmail.com
Habitat Restoration Projects
Restoring native habitats in the parks and protected lands of Santa Cruz County
Saturday, April 1, 2023 10 am to 1 pm
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
Sunday, May 7, 2023 10 am to 1 pm
Location to be determined; call or email for venue
We are a volunteer group working to restore native habitat in the parks and protected lands in Santa Cruz County Our program provides an opportunity for people to learn about the natural systems that surround them while helping to restore special and wild places. No prior work experience is necessary, just show up at the event. We welcome individual volunteers from 8 to 80 years, as well as special group projects. Wear comfortable layered clothing, bring something to drink, and lots of enthusiasm! We work rain or shine, but if things get particularly unpleasant, we call it a day. Tools provided; bring gloves. Please contact Restoration Program Leader Linda Brodman for questions. (831)462-4041, or redwdrn@pacbell.net.