Jane S. Pinheiro

Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Public mural in Lancaster, California depicting Jane S. Pinheiro. Mural by @aqmni Jane Seymour Pinheiro (1907–1978) was a conservationist, community activist, and artist who successfully advocated for the creation of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve in southern California and other nature reserves in the Mojave Desert. Pinheiro was known as “The Great Poppy Lady.”

Early life Jane Seymour was born on September 9, 1907, in Denver, Colorado.

In the late 1920s she moved to Pasadena, California with her mother, Nellie Flick Seymour, who ran a boarding house. Money was raised to purchase the land by securing donations of $650 which was noted to "buy an acre," and donations of $5 which "bought" 300 square feet at the proposed poppy preserve. Additionally, Jane was involved with penny drives at local schools called "Pennies for Poppies," which helped raise funds for the needed land. The operation of the Interpretive Center is assisted by the Poppy Reserve/Mojave Desert Interpretive Association (PRMDIA) which supports the educational programs for the general public and school children at state parks in the Antelope Valley area. Some of Jane's paintings are on display at the Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center, and also at the Theodore Payne Foundation and the Native Plant Guild.

In addition to her work to establish the poppy reserve, Jane Pinheiro worked on the Antelope Valley State Parks Committee with Assemblyman Allen Miller to establish Saddleback Butte State Park in 1960 (originally called Joshua Tree State Park) to preserve Joshua trees.

Jane was a regular contributor to Desert Magazine in the 1950s and 1960s regarding her knowledge of native plants and wildflowers.

Jane also wrote articles about local wildflowers for the Antelope Valley Press newspaper, as well as the Daily Ledger-Gazette.

In 1950 she worked to create the Quartz Hill Almond Blossom Festival and served for 10 years on the board of the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival.

Jane was also a contributor to the book, A Flower-Watcher’s Guide: The Spring-Blooming Wildflowers of the Antelope Valley, By Milt Stark.

Death Jane Pinheiro died on October 14, 1978.