August Happenings 2023

Monkeyflower is in bloom in the Canyon, stewardship efforts near the heritage oak - a 100 year old tree!, volunteer with the Garber Park Stewards and at Signpost 29.

July Happenings 2023 - Advocacy Update

This month’s newsletter includes our response to the June 9, 2023 State Court of Appeals decision, working towards fire safety, East Bay Hills' grassroots advocacy effort, and more!

Species identified on April 23, 2023 Bird Walk

In all, 16 species were identified, including a wild turkey in mid-flight. Nancy Mueller, host of the event, said, "It was a big thrill for me to see a turkey flying down Claremont Avenue. I had no idea they could fly."

Wrap up of Annual Meeting, Sunday, November 13, 2022, 4-6 PM, by Jon Kaufman

At the Conservancy’s annual meeting on November 13, we had a record crowd of 114 people who heard Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin and Acting Fire Chief David Sprague discuss the city’s new wildfire preparedness program.

Making the East Bay Hills Safer from Wildfire, by Jon Kaufman

We need a regional approach to effectively prevent future wildfires. Since wildfires do not stop at city or county lines, the cities and the two counties in the East Bay Hills must work together to remove hazardous vegetation and take other steps to prevent a future disaster like the 1991 firestorm. Local fire departments work together to fight fires, when necessary, under mutual aid agreements. We need a similar approach to prevent wildfires.

Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve—Eucalyptus Removal is Underway by Marilyn Goldhaber

Conservancy member Ron Berman (standing in the middle with white hat) led Conservancy board members last week on a tour of work in the upper part of the eucalyptus grove at the Stonewall Road entry to the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve.

Skyline Blvd Evacuation Corridor Project is Underway

In December 2021, the City was awarded over $820,000 in new grant funding from CAL FIRE to selectively remove approximately 250 dead, dying, or otherwise hazardous trees, and selectively prune hazardous branches on trees lining or overhanging the Skyline Boulevard Evacuation Corridor, beginning at Shepherd Canyon Road and ending at Keller Avenue. This work is now underway.

Update on the Garber Park Stewards this summer and fall, 2021, by Wyllie Clayson

This summer was a success as the Garber Park Stewards welcomed back many new and returning volunteers to the heavily wooded, 14-acre, City of Oakland park at the bottom of Claremont Canyon. Our volunteers showed up full of energy and ready to help out with ongoing efforts during this drought year to make the park more firesafe, especially near residences.