Volunteers needed for Butterfly Valley, California

[BarryRice]

Hey Folks,

Yesterday I was talking with staff who manage the marvelous Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, near Quincy, California. Native carnivorous plants include Darlingtonia, Drosera, and Utricularia. The staff is considering doing some area improvements such as trail maintenance that would help decrease impact from visitation to the area.

This is still in the extremely early stages of planning, and may never actually occur, but if this is something that you would like to assist in, please email me directly at barry (at) carnivorousplants.org.

Expect hard labor, sore muscles, and a big boost to your karma.

Cheers

Barry

[pinglover]

What about contacting the North American Sarracenia Conservancy with information about this opportunity?

[BarryRice]

Hey Pinglover,

Well, I'm sure the right people in NASC will get the word. But they ain't no Sarracenia in Butterfly Valley.

[pinglover]

I believe at one time the NASC discussed land stewardship and restoration being an integral part of their organization's mission and that their plant "rescues" were to include all carnivorous plants. We all know that when habitat is destroyed, along with it goes the species dependent upon the habitat for survival. Regardless of whether Sarracenia is present or not in that particular area, there are other CPs present and the land management principles would be similar. Being provided with the opportunity to roll up one's sleeves to work alongside professionals who manage natural areas that support carnivorous plant populations would be an invaluable educational opportunity and it would additionally provide the Butterfly Valley Botanical Area with some much needed volunteer resources.

[BarryRice]

Hey Pinglover,

I agree wholeheartedly with you. I think that doing restoration work or other kinds of volunteer work is great work.

My only point was that I didn't think it made sense to contact NASC officially, since this is a site with only Darlingtonia, Drosera rotundifolia, and Utricularia minor (and historical records of U. macrorhiza). Since there are no Sarracenia, it seems a little off-base with the focused mandate of NASC. Man, if NASC decides to widen its base to work on all carnivorous taxa, it will be very heavily burdened!!!!

B

[pinglover]

You're right, doesn't make sense to contact them.