Bobcats in the Canyon! | A Recap of our 2023 Annual Meeting
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Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
As you walk the trails in Garber Park, take a look for these tiny white berries hidden under the foliage of the common snowberry (photographed by Wyllie Clayson). These can be found throughout the park either in small clusters or by themselves. Though they are a favorite of birds, they are toxic to humans. The fall rains provide much of the water needed for the park's biodiversity to flourish and thrive, and thanks to the Garber Park Stewards' year-round volunteer efforts, surrounding neighbors and visitors can enjoy small surprises like these.
You can contact the Garber Park Stewards if you're interested in volunteering (gpstewards@gmail.com) or you can also support their efforts towards a more fire-safe and walkable park by making a donation.
Left to right: Fire Chief of Oakland, Damon Covington; City Councilmember for Oakland’s District 4, Janani Ramachandran; and Oakland’s Deputy City Administrator, Joe DeVries. (Photographed by Ruby J. Soto Cardona and Nancy Mueller)
On a beautiful fall day, Sunday, November 12, 2023, the Conservancy held it’s 22nd annual meeting at the Claremont Club and Spa. After brief updates from the Conservancy board, we heard from our invited speakers; Janani Ramachandran, our District 4 City Councilmember; Joe DeVries, Oakland’s Deputy City Administrator; and we got a chance to meet the new Fire Chief of Oakland, Damon Covington. We had a turnout of more than 100 to hear about Oakland’s revised Vegetation Management plan. It has been three years since it was first proposed. It likely will go before the voters at the Fall 2024 election. We believe it merits our approval.
Visit our website to learn more about the meeting and see more photos of our speakers and guests.
Berkeley Project students after a day of pulling French broom at Signpost 29 (Photo by Nancy Mueller).
Thanks to those who have already donated
This is the time of year when we ask our members and friends to renew their membership and make donations to the Conservancy. All contributions large and small are important, much appreciated, and tax deductible. Look for a reminder in your mail. You can use the enclosed envelope to send us your check or you can donate with PayPal or credit card by clicking the button below.
We hope you will be with the Conservancy for a long time. Wishing you all the best this holiday season and in the New Year!
All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools are provided.
Garber Park Stewards Saturday, December 16th | January 6th and 20th 9 A.M. - Noon
Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplacebelow the Evergreen Lane entrance. For more informationor questionscontactWyllie.
Join us at Signpost 29for a day of restoration (1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd.) aswe work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom and collect litter. More information Here. Questions? Contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org..
Hiking the Canyon
We would love to hear from our members and others who are out hiking or otherwise observing nature in the canyon. Send us your pictures and we will feature one each month.
The photo above, shared by Valerie Wayne features three bobcats. "Back in the spring I saw an adult male and female bobcat being followed by a litter of two kittens. Tonight I was so happy to see what I believe is the mother bobcat with the same two kittens. They are learning how to stalk and hunt. They will stay with their mother for up to a year before setting off on their own. I hope these two kittens see their first birthday and beyond."Follow Valerie on Instagram@claremont_wildlife_habitat to see a video of these bobcats. Last year Daniel Johnston spotted a bobcat near Signpost 27 and in 2020 another rare sighting was captured on video by one of our board members—Marilyn Goldhaber (Watch here). You can visit Kay Loughman's wildlife website to see more species spotted in the canyon.
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The photo above was taken by Halle Stecker in 2020 while walking her neighbor's dog.
Trails are open
All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. For maps and complete information on trails click here. Please stay safe and take all items and pet waste out with you.
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