The Weekend Link List - July 21 — Land Trust of Napa County

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🌿 Wildflower Wonder 💜 Spring is painting th

🌿 Wildflower Wonder 💜

Spring is painting the land with lupine! These native blooms make us smile, support pollinators, and remind us why land conservation matters.

#NapaLandTrust #Lupine #NativeFlowers #LandProtection #Conservation #WildflowerWonder

🐾🌒 A Rare Smile from the Shadows 🐾🌒 L

🐾🌒 A Rare Smile from the Shadows 🐾🌒

Look who showed up grinning for our wildlife camera! This puma was captured on one of our remote cameras as part of our ongoing Wildlife Picture Index (WPI) project—a science-driven effort to monitor the health of wildlife populations right here in Napa County.

📸 These motion-triggered cameras help us understand which species are using the land, when, and how. Each image—like this gem—feeds into long-term conservation strategies that protect habitat and biodiversity across the region.

🌿 Pumas (also known as mountain lions or cougars) are apex predators that play a vital role in ecosystem balance. Their presence is a positive indicator of a healthy, functioning natural landscape. Our work helps ensure they continue to roam freely in wild places.

🔗 To learn more about our WPI project—or to see more images from our cameras—visit:
👉 https://napalandtrust.org/our-work/wildlife-picture-index-project/

#MountainLionMonday #MondayMotivation #LTNC #NapaNature #PumaPresence #WPIProject #TrailCam #WildlifeMonday #ConservationMatters #ApexPredator #WildlifeConservation #NapaLandTrust #ProtectWildPlaces #NatureInNapa #WildlifeCooridors

🌿📚 Fun Fact Friday: Fringed Checkerbloom 🌸

Say hello to the fabulous Fringed checkerbloom (Sidalcea diploscypha) — a true California native wildflower that’s as tough as it is beautiful.

This annual wildflower is endemic to California, thriving on grassy slopes, open woodlands, and valleys throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Coast Ranges, and the Central Valley. It’s a local legend in the spring wildflower scene — and here's why:

🌸 Each flower flaunts delicately fringed or lacy petals, giving it a signature look that sets it apart from other checkerblooms.

🦋 A favorite among native bees and butterflies, providing a vital nectar source in early spring.

🌞 As an annual, Fringed checkerbloom puts on a bold display from March through May, carpeting meadows in vivid pink.

🧪 Hairy stems and leaves help reduce moisture loss — nature’s sun protection.

🧬 A proud member of the mallow family (Malvaceae) — yes, it’s related to hibiscus and even okra!

🌼 Grow it at home:

If you're in California, this wildflower is a garden gem. It loves full sun, thrives in dry, well-drained soil, and supports pollinators without needing much in return.

💧Pair it with other spring natives to build a layered, pollinator-friendly garden that supports biodiversity and stuns visually.

#NapaLandTrust #FunFactFriday #FringedCheckerbloom #SidalceaDiploscypha #CaliforniaNativePlants #NativePlantLove #BotanyIsCool #WildflowerSeason #PlantNatives #PollinatorFriendly #WildflowerWisdom #MalvaceaeMagic

🌼 Just Added! Explore Vernal Pools at Mead Ranc

🌼 Just Added! Explore Vernal Pools at Mead Ranch Hike

Join us Sunday, May 18, for a rare spring hike at our Mead Ranch Preserve to witness vernal pools, ephemeral blooms, and wildflowers that emerge only after the rains.

This outing offers a fleeting glimpse of one of Napa’s hidden natural wonders—and it will fill up fast, so sign up today!

📅 Sunday, May 18
🔗 Learn more and sign up: https://napalandtrust.org/event/mead-vernal-pools-2/

#NapaNature #LandTrustHike #VernalPools #WildflowerHike #NapaValley #SpringInNapa #NapaLandTrust

🌿 A Wild Symphony in Bloom 💜 High above the

🌿 A Wild Symphony in Bloom 💜

High above the valley floor, spring is showing off her palette. Native Sonoma sage (Salvia sonomensis) and Hollyleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus purpureus) thrive in this sun-kissed chaparral, their lavender and violet blooms offering vital nectar for pollinators and a feast for the senses.⁠

These resilient natives don't just add beauty to the landscape—they stabilize soils, support biodiversity, and remind us why protecting wild places matters.

💜Ceanothus purpureus is more than beautiful—it’s rare. This species is endemic to Northern California and is ranked 1B.2 by the California Native Plant Society, meaning it’s rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. With its limited range in Napa and Sonoma Counties, its survival depends on healthy chaparral ecosystems like those we protect.

📍Napa County’s ridgelines are alive with color—and with your support, they’ll stay that way.

#NapaNature #SonomaSage #CeanothusPurpureus #NativePlants #LandTrust #WildflowerSeason #HabitatRestoration #PollinatorPathways #ConservationInAction #NatureHeals #NapaLandTrust #WildNapa

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