As I write this message, we await the release this spring of Federal Emergency Management Administration’s (FEMA’s) draft environmental impact statement (EIS) covering wildfire hazard mitigation projects planned for the East Bay Hills.
Broom removal in the preserve with Ranger Jeff McKenna, by Marilyn Goldhaber
Another great stewardship day in the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. Although only four hardy souls showed up on this beautiful Saturday morning, we got right to work, splitting up into two locations to rid the lower canyon of French broom. We were fortunate to have Ranger Jeff McKenna, who brought along some large and small weed wrenches and a lot of muscle power. We feel that the lower Preserve is pretty much cleared of mature broom and only young seedlings are appearing--in smaller and smaller numbers each year.
Huge turnout for MLK Jr. Day of Service and Passive Restoration Workshop, by Shelagh Brodersen
As I write this post the rain is just beginning, and I smile thinking about our successful Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Event just four days ago that brought over 45 enthusiastic volunteers to participate in our restoration activities along the riparian corridor of Harwood Creek, and how all our new native plants are being nourished by the rain.
Claremont Canyon's many landowners take responsibility
DO YOU KNOW THAT CLAREMONT CANYON has many landowners? The two major landowners are the University of California, which owns the upper 150 acres of our mostly wildland canyon and the East Bay Regional Park District, which owns the lower 208-acres (including Gwin Canyon) best known for the dramatic Stonewall-Claremont hiking trail.
Interview with Jon Keeley, by Joe Engbeck
Invasive tree removal expected to go forward, by Jon Kaufman
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA’S PROGRAM of invasive tree removal from its land in upper Claremont Canyon has been on hold for the past three years while a federal environmental study assesses the environmental impacts of fire mitigation projects planned for the East Bay hills. Over 9,000 trees, mostly hazardous eucalyptus, have already been removed through UC’s program in Claremont Canyon. If all goes well, the program is expected to resume in 2013 or 2014.
President's message, by L. Tim Wallace
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE that Jon Keeley has agreed to be the featured speaker at our annual meeting on Sunday, November 4. Dr. Keeley last spoke to the Conservancy in the autumn of 2007—five years ago—so we’re pleased to have him back again to discuss the most important new findings in the field of wildfire behavior, climate, and local conditions.
Stewardship in the Stonewall area, by Marilyn Goldhaber
Barry Pilger saved the day by showing up with a gas powered hedge trimmer to rid the slope of several large stands of pampas grass. (We went back later that day with some old tarps and covered the pampas grass stumps to inhibit resprouting.) Ray Johnston also showed up and helped us rid the area of spurge (euphorbia) while the rest of us toured the rugged and steep area behind some homes as a site for future fuel break/wildfire mitigation work.
A busy spring for Garber Park, by Shelagh Brodersen
Illegal dumping deterred, by Joe Engbeck
In past years, Claremont Canyon was often used as a dumping ground for small-time, fly-by-night construction contractors and others who were not willing to pay the fees charged by official dumps. Debris of all kinds—car parts, plywood, plasterboard, empty paint cans, and even a few refrigerators and sofas—ended up on the roadside or down in the creek bed below the road.
The upper canyon thrives, by Jon Kaufman
Winter bird walk with Dave Quady, by Kay Loughman
Restoring a north coastal grassland, by Marilyn Goldhaber
A tenth anniversary, by L. Tim Wallace
Spring Bird Walk: this morning in Claremont Canyon, by Dave Quady
Birds and birding in Claremont Canyon, by Kay Loughman
From the president's desk, by L. Tim Wallace
THIS WILL BE THE CONSERVANCY’S TENTH YEAR anniversary, and we want to celebrate it with you—not only on November 6th at our Annual Meeting (mark your calendars), but throughout the year. At each of our nature walks, at each of our stewardship days where ever they may be in Claremont Canyon, at each of our special events, we all hope you join us and become part of the discussion about the local treasure that is Claremont Canyon.
Honoring our members, by Marilyn Goldhaber
HONORING OUR MEMBERS: From our founding in 2001, we have encouraged nearby residents and community organizations to support the Conservancy by becoming Founding Sponsors with a commitment to contribute $1,000, either all at once or over ten years. We are pleased to list in our Spring 2011 newsletter, in approximately the order the commitments were made, our first 209 Founding Sponsors.
