This week! CNGA's Annual Conference will be held in Santa Rosa May 1-3. The theme is Conserving California's Grasslands: Policies and Practices. The full Conference Program is available for viewing.
Workshops are available on Grass Identification, Holistic Grazing Planning, Native Grasses in Urban Landscapes, and Native Grasses in Restoration and Revegetation. See the Workshops and Other Events page for details.
Online registration is closed. At-the-door registration is available for the Annual Conference and Workshops.
Over 300 species of native grasses are found in California. Grasses are an integral part of diverse habitats, ranging from cool, wet forests to hot, dry deserts.
The decline in native grasses and grasslands in the last two centuries has been due to intensive cultivation, poorly managed grazing, urbanization, fire suppression, and the introduction of invasive, nonnative grass and forb species.
The deep roots of native grasses stabilize soil, increase water infiltration, and recycle nutrients. Appropriate management and restoration of grasslands can reap these benefits.
Well-managed grazing can help maintain native grass populations in California grasslands. Native grasses offer a long green forage season.
Native grasses planted in urban landscapes are low-maintenance,drought-tolerant, and can filter polluted runoff.
90% of California's rare and endangered species inhabit the state's grassland ecosystems.
