Park service plans events in May

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will sponsor its inaugural Native Plant Fair from 8 a.m. to noon Sat., May 21 in the main parking lot at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Newbury Park.

Activities will include the sale of native plants and tours of the National Park Service’s ethno-botanic garden and native plant nursery. Educational materials on gardening with native plants will be available. All proceeds of plant sales will benefit park restoration and education projects.

More than 30 species of native plants will be available for sale. Featured species include Virgin’s Bower, purple needlegrass, scarlet monkeyflower, purple and black sages and yarrow.

Native sycamores and coast live oaks in varying sizes will also be available for purchase.

There will also be information on volunteer opportunities at the park, park restoration activities, plants for wildlife and fire-safe landscaping. To reach Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, exit the 101 freeway at Lynn Road and drive south 5.25 miles to Via Goleta; the park entrance will be on the left. For information on the Santa Monica Mountains Fund’s activities, which include education, resource protection and stewardship, write the organization at 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Butterfly fanciers won’t want to miss a lecture by butterfly expert Fred Heath at 2 p.m. Sat., May 21 at the National Park Service Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Heath is the author of "An Introduction to Southern California Butterflies" and has lectured, led field trips and written many articles on his favorite insect.

During his lecture, Heath will reveal the secret lives of butterflies. His expertise includes butterfly classification, life cycle and behavior, butterfly watching, creating a butterfly garden and protecting habitat and endangered species. He has also generated a checklist for recording butterfly sightings.

This free program will last about two hours. For directions or more information on either the plant sale or butterfly lecture, please call the National Park Service at (805) 370-2301.