Thimbleberries, Wildfire Safety, Rock Deformations!
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Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
We are starting to see small, red berries (resembling a thimble) popping up on thimbleberry plants in the Canyon. Thimbleberry is best identified by its large, fuzzy, five-lobed leaves, which often grow larger than the palm of your hand. In the springtime, the plant's tiny white flowers—consisting of five slightly crinkled petals and a yellow center (similar to strawberry flowers)—are easy to spot blooming above the large leaves. The fruit ripens in the summer and has a pleasant, tart taste, a favorite of humans and other mammals as well as many birds. The best place to find thimbleberries is in partly-shaded forest openings and moist woodland canyons, where this perennial plant can help provide habitat for wildlife and control erosion. To learn more about thimbleberry, visit fs.usda.gov and Calscape.
Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
Join the Zoom meeting Monday, July 8th at 9a.m.
The East Bay Wildfire Coalition, a new name for the coalition of jurisdictions that have signed a cooperative MOU, will have its second meeting on Monday, July 8th at 9a.m. The Conservancy, along with the various FireSafe organizations in the East Bay Hills, the Sierra Club, the Native Plant Society, and various local fire departments, will be making presentations. The meeting will be held at the El Cerrito City Hall but you are invited to participate on Zoom.
In the photo: Councilmember Ramachandran (center, in black and white) with members of the East Bay Wildfire Coalition. Photo courtesy of Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, Oakland District 4, Newsletter.
On our most recent volunteer day, we focused on removing invasive broom from the Claremont Chert, named after our own canyon. This rock exposure is a type of marine sedimentary rock which consists of hard, fine-grained silica, plus more friable shales and mudstones from ancient siliceous skeletons of microscopic creatures. The now well-known Chert Wall is part of the University of California’s Ecological Study Area. According to geologist Martin Holden, chert likely was quarried from this site in the 19th and early 20th centuries and used as roadbed fill under what is now Claremont Avenue.
This story is based on a longer article by former Conservancy president, Martin Holden. Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
Scouts from Troop 19 have worked on helping make the Upper Canyon more accessible and fire-safe. Two groups, one led by Theddeus (third from the left) and Kian (fourth from the right), helped restore crossings along the Willow trail and underneath the redwood grove. Scouts also removed invasive plants such as thistles and poison hemlock to open up the main trails—which are also used as fire trails in case of a wildfire. Thank you for all your hard work! Photo by Wyllie Clayson.
If you're interested in volunteering with us, and/or have a group who would like to come out and steward the Upper Canyon, send us an email at info@claremontcanyon.org.
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.
Join theGrizzly Peak cleanupvolunteer 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. The trails are a bit hot this month so please remember to carry water with you and wear multiple layers to protect yourself from sun exposure.
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.
Did you know that our state rock is the serpentine rock? Also referred to as "serpentinite" by geologists. This rock is not common to the Claremont Canyon but it was found within a mile from this area and photographed by Nancy Mueller. According to the California Department of Conservation, "serpentine rock is apple-green to black and is often mottled with light and dark colored areas. Its surfaces often have a shiny or wax-like appearance and a slightly soapy feel." It is found "in central and northern California—in the Coast Ranges, the Klamath Mountains, and in the Sierra Nevada foothills."
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