Invasive plants brought in from other parts of the world represent a significant challenge to the natural environment of our country and our home landscapes in Marin. When a gardener thinks of an”exotic invasive,” it is usually an insect or a plant. These are, indeed, awful threats but there are exotic invasive diseases, aquatics, and mammals that also pose important threats to our native species and environments.

Based on research done by the UC Cooperative Extension staff, Marin Master Gardener Bob Mauceli will discuss some examples of these alien threats, and what California is doing to deal with them. Before becoming a Marin Master Gardener in 2014, Bob was a Master Gardener for 9 years in New York. He lives on a north Novato hillside that has 21 Tuscan olive trees and is landscaped using native trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennials. His study of the native California environment led him to try to understand more about the threats to it from invasive organisms of all kinds. Bob is also a member of the California Native Plant Society, and is a birder. He has built natural habitats in all the places he and his family have lived.

Thursday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Sausalito City Hall

This program is sponsored by the Sausalito Library and Sausalito Beautiful. If you aren’t able to attend the lecture, you may want to explore the Marin Master Gardener website for more information on invasive plants.