January Happenings 2024

Happy New Year! Cormorants were spotted in the Canyon!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Because of You We thank all who have donated and ask our members and friends, if you haven't yet done so, please consider renewing your membership and charitable donations for the new year. All contributions large and small are important and much appreciated. Because of you, the Conservancy is a vibrant force in the East Bay and a leader in wildfire safety in the wildland-urban interface. We are nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders right in our own backyard! You can visit our page to Donate with PayPal or credit card. You can also specify contributions to go directly to the Garber Park Stewards. Photo by Nancy Mueller - Shelagh Brodersen and Lech Naumovich (top row) and Ruby J. Soto Cardona and Wyllie Clayson (bottom row).  Donate We are ending the year with a bang!  Our efforts to form an area-wide program to reduce the amount of hazardous vegetation and prevent future wildfires are coming to fruition. Alameda County and the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and Richmond have all ratified the Memorandum of Understanding that creates this regional approach. We expect that Contra Costa County, the city of El Cerrito, and other public agencies will do so as well early in the New Year. Cormorants in the Claremont Canyon?! Why yes! These two Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) were observed flying over Amito Ave and Drury Rd, heading Northeast over Claremont Canyon, on the morning of December 08, 2023. Cormorants are efficient marine predators, catching more fish than any other bird or animal. They are large, measuring approximately 32 inches in length, and have a distinctive orange throat patch. If you ever see one close up, you will immediately notice their beautiful blue eyes. When the birds are flying, they can be identified by their distinct “kink” in their neck. The central part of their feathers is water resistant, whereas the edges are wettable. One often sees them on the shores of our local bays, spreading their wings to dry them out. They live year round from Alaska to Baja California and can be seen in both salt and fresh waters. The question here is, where were these two headed?—San Pablo Dam Reservoir? Lafayette Reservoir? San Leandro Reservoir, or perhaps Heather Farms? Explore Kay Loughman's Wildlife Website to see more species found in the Canyon.  Photo and story by Alex Pierce Wildlife Website All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools are provided.  Garber Park Stewards Saturday, 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 Fireplace below the Evergreen Lane entrance. For more information or questions contact Wyllie. Volunteer at Signpost 29 Saturday, January 27th 10 A.M. - Noon  Join us at Signpost 29 for a day of restoration (1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd.) as we work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom and collect litter. More information Here. Questions? Contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org. Grizzly Peak Cleanup Meeting Dates to be decided Join the Grizzly Peak cleanup volunteer days! Everyone is welcome. If you have rock climbing skills contact John Kirkham to sign up as they are in need of people to help clean on the steeper parts of the hills. Email: johnwkirkham@gmail.com 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 shows two band-tailed pigeons—one sitting quietly on the side, and the second captured by the camera just as it takes wing. Follow Valerie on Instagram @claremont_wildlife_habitat to see more of her wildlife photos taken in the bay area. You can also visit Kay Loughman's wildlife website to see more species spotted in the canyon.  Share this newsletter with your friends: Do you have a friend who would appreciate receiving our monthly email newsletter? You can easily add new recipients to our mailing list by going here. The photo above was taken by Ruby J. Soto Cardona facing Garber Park's  Oak Grove. This quaint park holds a biodiverse environment full of native plants and animal species! Click here to learn more about the Garber Park Stewards' restoration work and visit our website for more volunteer opportunities.   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.  "Rainbow in Claremont Canyon"—Photographed by Alex Pierce in 2022.  For the long-term stewardship of Claremont Canyon Copyright © 2023 Claremont Canyon Conservancy, All rights reserved. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.