February Happenings 2024

Ladybugs, Mushrooms, and Stewardship in the Canyon!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Ladybug spotting at Signpost 29! Starting around mid-October through early February, ladybugs—most likely convergent ladybugs—have been spotted in clusters on plants, logs, and rocks. On our previous volunteer day at Signpost 29, many ladybugs were seen slowly piling on top of each other on various plants near the trails. According to this Bay Nature article, these tiny insects "spend the winter in mild hibernation" and form these clusters to conserve energy in the wintertime as they wait for the springtime warmth to take flight. If you've been on the lookout for a great place to see these ladybug clusters, we encourage you to visit the trails at Signpost 29. Please remember to watch your step and view them from a distance to avoid disturbing them. (Photo: Ladybugs on invasive thistle | by Ruby J. Soto Cardona) If you discover something like a tree branch along the trail that needs attention, please let us know and we'll ask our stewardship volunteers to tend to it.  Saturday, February 3rd | 10:30AM - 11:30AM Free and open to the public In person lecture by Ben Anderson: Fungi of the East Bay's Oak Woodlands, organized by Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden. This event is free, open to the public, and enjoyable for beginners and professionals alike. Meet in Tilden Park at the Garden's Visitor Center auditorium, Regional Parks Botanic Garden, 1550 Wildcat Canyon Road at South Park Drive (Map). Questions: (510) 547-0189.  (Photo: Oyster mushrooms of Garber Park | by Ruby J. Soto Cardona) Learn More February 29 | 9:30AM - 11:30AM followed by lunch  Conservancy board member Nancy Mueller invites you to a stewardship day with volunteers from the Claremont Club and Spa on Leap Day, Feb. 29th from 9:30-11:30AM followed with a casual lunch provided by the Claremont Hotel. We will clean up Evergreen Lane footpath with some volunteers going into Garber Park in conjunction with the Garber Park Stewards. Tools and gloves will be supplied, bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and wear long sleeved clothes etc. RSPV to info@claremontcanyon.com if you would like to come help out (Photo: 2023 Claremont Hotel Volunteers | by Wyllie Clayson) RSVP Thank you Garber Park volunteers! The Garber Park Stewards led a successful volunteer event in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. A total of 19 volunteers showed up ready to help make Garber Park more traversable. One group collected 21 green waste bags filled with fallen Eucalyptus debris from the Alvarado entrance of the park, and expanded and mulched main trails leading to the Horsetail Meadow. Another group uncaged oaks that had outgrown their cages and used those same cages for smaller oaks to help them have a better chance of thriving in the park. Thanks to everyone who showed up and to the City of Oakland for removing the green waste bags from the park! (Photo of Garber Park volunteers | by Ruby J. Soto Cardona) Read More All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools and gloves are provided.  Garber Park Stewards Saturday, February 17th 9AM - 12PM  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, February 24th 10AM - 12PM  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&nnbsp;at info@claremontcanyon.org. Derby Canyon Stewardship "Take to the Hills" every Tuesday and Saturday at 9AM 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. Grizzly Peak Cleanup Check back on our schedule page for exact dates 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 at info@claremontcanyon.org and we will feature one each month. "Rainbow in Claremont Canyon"—Photographed by Alex Pierce in 2022.  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 while hiking towards the Willow Trail from Signpost 29. 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. 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.