Spring is glorious—the onslaught of colors, the symphony of singing birds and buzzing bugs, the feel of the soggy earth as it trembles to life once again. There is so much beauty to soak in and so little time. At the very least, I have to get out to the north side of Mount Diablo to see the fairy lanterns and the ephemeral waterfalls; hike up Indian Joe Creek Trail at Sunol Regional to look for…

Milkweed is often dismissed as a roadside weed, yet few native plants in North America are as powerful, versatile, or historically important. From sustaining iconic butterflies like the monarch, soldier, and queen, to providing fiber, food, and even life-saving materials, milkweed earns its reputation as a truly magical plant—one whose value stretches far beyond its delicate flowers and drifting…