Pink-flowering currant is a versatile native shrub that brings vibrant color and seasonal interest to gardens, offering stunning pink blooms in winter and edible berries in summer. Ideal for woodland settings, it thrives in a variety of soils and is easy to care for.

Back in 2023, we shared how your feedback helped us make changes to our volunteer events to create an even more gratifying experience for all participants. But the process didn’t end there; we are continually listening to and learning from your input. 

You’re walking around a shady redwood grove and notice a bed of shiny green clover-like plants covering the ground. This native plant is an important understory plant in redwood and Douglas fir forests that supports caterpillars, butterflies, and moths.

Growing up, I was obsessed with two things: horses and nature (to be fair, I am still pretty interested in both). As luck would have it, I lived quite close to Westwind Barn and its neighbor, Byrne Preserve. I began taking riding lessons at the barn when I was about six or seven, and soon I was looking for any possible excuse to return.

I'm a proud member of the East Palo Alto community, born and raised here. I am also an intern for Grassroots Ecology stationed at Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto. This summer I helped lead a 5-week program for 7th graders from the Boys & Girls Club of Peninsula. I'd like to share my top 3 moments of the program for me.

Given the right conditions, non-native plants can outcompete and displace many of the California native plants that local insects and other animals depend on. Stinkwort is one of those weeds we’ve been successful in removing, thanks to Grassroots Ecology volunteers.

One way to support California native habitat is to remove weeds that overcrowd our open spaces. Teasel is one of those weeds we've been successful in managing, thanks to Grassroots Ecology volunteers.

Heads up, plant enthusiasts! Our Native Plant Nursery is taking a summer break from retail sales, but we’ll be back and blooming on September 9th—just in time to meet all your fall planting needs!

Have you noticed the delicate, pink blooms of the wood rose within our local forest understories? This locally native rose is great for adding beauty and pollinator value to a shady garden or balcony.

Over the past year, we have been working to develop our next strategic plan, thinking carefully about where we need to focus to bring our vision of healthy ecosystems and engaged communities that much closer. 

With support from the City of Mountain View, in 2023 Grassroots Ecology was awarded a four-year Valley Water, “Safe, Clean Water and Natural Protection Program” grant for the Mountain View Tidal Marsh Restoration Project!

Its sunflower-like blossoms face the sky like golden platters of pollen and nectar, which are constantly swarmed by minute sweat bees, fluttering skippers, and other insects.

Our new project sites in Redwood City aim to increase native plant habitat along urban creek corridors. 

The monkeyflowers are a diverse assemblage of plants, with flower colors ranging from golden yellow and pinkish purple to pale orange and bright red. Their ecological roles are equally varied, with each species having unique habitat preferences and pollinator interactions.

California buckeyes are beginning to leaf out, starting yet another cycle of growth, blooming, fruiting, and dormancy for these beautiful native trees.

Grassroots Ecology has set to work re-oaking several Silicon Valley preserves. We’re excited to share with you what we’ve done and what we’ve learned along the way.

The California Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia) is an under appreciated, compact oak species that provides huge habitat value while also fitting into smaller yards. California is home to over 20 species of oak. This includes the towering valley oak, which can grow up to 100 feet tall, as well as our ubiquitous and majestic coast live oak. But did you know we have a variety of small, shrub-like oaks as well? 

Brittleleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos crustacea) is a stunning local shrub with smooth, red bark and upside-down urn-shaped flowers that attract pollinators in winter. This fire-adapted species is unique to chaparral ecosystems of the central California coast and makes a beautiful focal plant in the garden.

I am helping to maintain climate-friendly architecture in the blocks around my home, meaning I could help protect my community against the negative effects of climate change.