Butterflies, Blooms, and Ticks! Plus a New Ballot Measure
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
Northern checkerspot (Chlosyne palla)
Summer has arrived and we are seeing many butterflies fluttering in the Upper Canyon. The butterfly above was spotted feeding on native flowers blooming along the Willow Trail—where the Heritage Oak once grew—before landing on a pile of invasive grasses. You can best identify this butterfly by its dark-brown, light orange, and tan pattern on the upperside of its wing. On the underside, look for alternating red and yellow cells. (iNaturalist)
Visit Kay Loughman's wildlife website to see more wildlife photos.
Photo by Nancy Mueller
Moving forward
The regional planning effort with both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and elected officials from five jurisdictions had its inaugural meeting in late April; they elected Sue Wengraf, Vice-Mayor of Berkeley, Chair; and Janani Ramachandran, Oakland City Council member, Vice Chair. More jurisdictions are considering joining or serving in an advisory capacity and the coordinating group will continue its organizational activities and setting its short-and long-term priorities at its next meeting in July. Our president, Jon Kaufman, continues work to make sure that the community can advise and encourage the coordinating group; the Conservancy and several firesafe councils (Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerrito, West Contra Costa, and others invited) have formed a coalition to represent the communities with one voice.
Photo courtesy of Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, Oakland District 4, Newsletter.
A new ballot measure
The Oakland Vegetation Management Plan (VMP), endorsed by the Conservancy’s board last fall, was passed by the Oakland City Council on May 21st. The council's approval of the VMP paves the way for a new parcel tax of $99/year to create a Wildfire Prevention Zone in the Oakland Hills. The new ballot measure is an improvement over the previous Wildfire Prevention Assessment District with an expanded work scope, increased accountability, and more community involvement, all as specified in the draft WPZ resolution. While the Conservancy has not yet taken a position on the new ballot measure, the projected cost seems like a reasonable price to pay for the scope of work.
Do a quick tick check
As you hike in the Canyon, we recommend that you check for ticks often as they tend to be most active early to mid-morning and late afternoon. Wearing light colored clothing will help you find them and using repellent will help keep them away.Some mammals, like woodrats, are infected with Lyme disease bacteria and harbor ticks that can spread Lyme disease. Luckily for the East Bay, we have western fence lizards which "have a substance in their blood that kills the Lyme disease bacteria inside the ticks that feed on the lizards."*In the East Bay Area, only 1-2% percent of tick adults will carry Lyme disease, and up to 6% of nymphs will be infected—much lower than the Eastern U.S. where 30-60% of adult ticks may carry Lyme disease and 25% of nymphs will be infected. Take a look at this brochure for more information, tips, and how to ID ticks.*(Left photo) Western black-legged tick. (Right photo) Western fence lizard. Photo Courtesy of the East Bay Regional Park District.
All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools and gloves are provided.
Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplacebelow the Evergreen Lane entrance (Map). 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.
Help restore native plants and maintain a popular trail! Weed invasive plants, plant seeds, and-if it comes to it-water native seedlings. Located in the small side canyon just north of Claremont Canyon, which is above the Clark Kerr campus. No prior experience needed. Gloves and tools are provided.
Please contact Jim Rosenau or call at (510) 845-0106.
Join theGrizzly Peak cleanup volunteer days! Everyone is welcome. If you have rock climbing skills sign up as they are in need of people to help clean on the steeper parts of the hills.
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 at info@claremontcanyon.org and we will feature one each month.
This photo was taken and shared by Michael Palmer while hiking the Stonewall Panoramic Trail in early May.
Trails are open
All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. For maps and complete information on trails click here. You can also take a guided tour here. Please stay safe and take all items and pet waste out with you.
The photo above shows a California buckeye (Aesculus californica) almost in full bloom. Buckeyes bloom from May through June and are best recognized by their palmately compound leaves in leaflets of five to seven petals. It has white to pale pink flowers that grow in arrangements that extend from 6-12 inches in length. They are great for erosion control but don't eat any part of it as they are quite toxic.
Photo by Nancy Mueller taken along the Willow Trail in the Upper 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.
.JPG)
