We are a group of volunteer propagators working under the auspices of the Oakland Adopt a Spot program. We are located adjacent to The Gardens at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. Over the years we have taken on plant collections which we propagate for public spots and schools throughout Oakland. And of course for the Gardens at Lake Merritt. We have taken bulbs from Carmen’s nursery and Wayne Roderick, both having been active NARGS members. When the rock garden collection from Strybing Arboretum (San Francisco Botanical Garden) was looking for a new home we gladly offered up space. The collection came with quite a few of the Strybing volunteers. As a group we have built a small display garden for the Strybing plants at the Gardens at Lake Merritt. Our members have worked on bringing back the Western Chapter to a 501(c)(3) non-profit club status which had lapsed due to lack of activity.

Our members care about studying, conserving, and cultivating some of our planet's most interesting plants, many of which are only found in our most at-risk environments. We focus on plants from many ecosystems, ranging from those found on high alpine peaks down to bogs, woodlands, and deserts.