September Happenings 2025

Save the Date! Annual Meeting | Bird Walk | Volunteer Events

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Annual Meeting—November 16 from 4-6 p.m.  At the Claremont Resort and Club Join us at our annual meeting on November 16 from 4-6pm at the Claremont Resort and Club. The meeting will be an opportunity to hear from the Conservancy board and staff about the goings on in Claremont Canyon. We will share more details about our invited guest speaker in our next monthly.  See you there! RSVP at info@ClaremontCanyon.org or by clicking the button below. RSVP Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) on sunflower on Strathmoor near Kenilworth, Oakland, CA | Photo taken by Alex Pierce Tiny surprises If you see a beautiful yellow-winged butterfly with a light and dark golden brown underside, you're getting closer to identifying a Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) butterfly. These butterflies, like the one above, can be found along streams or in openings in riparian woods. As caterpillars, they feed exclusively on various nettles. As adult butterflies, they enjoy feasting on tree sap, rotting fruit, and the flower nectar from blackberries—which grow abundantly throughout Claremont Canyon. Right now is a good time to venture outdoors and look for butterflies. If you happen to see one, take a photo and share it with us. We love to see what our community is spotting in the Canyon.   Visit butterfliesandmoths.org to learn more. You can also visit Kay Loughman's wildlife website to see pictures of other species people are seeing in and around Claremont Canyon. Share a photo Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)—a gray cotton ball with a long tail—resting on a branch of what seems to be California bee plant. | Photo by Erica Rutherford Spots have filled up! Long time birders Erica Rutherford and John Colbert will be leading our Fall Bird Walk this month. We will look for birds that breed in the Canyon and search for year-round resident and migrant birds. If you were unable to sign up and are interested in a future bird walk, contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org to add you to our list. You can also sign up by clicking the button below. Join the List A watercolor painting of California's rolling hills, oak woodland habitat, and native poppies in the foreground. | Photo courtesy of Conservancy Board Member Jerry Kent Captivating Claremont Canyon and its Stewards Featuring Naturalist Jerry Kent In an illustrated presentation at Arts & Culture in early August, Conservancy board member Jerry Kent, formerly with the East Bay Regional Park District, explained the history and many attributes of Claremont Canyon. He emphasized that many people are unfamiliar with this 206-acre preserve that lies in our backyard and is home to a diverse population of plant and animal species. Jerry also shared the history of Claremont Canyon and the important work the Claremont Canyon Conservancy is doing towards ensuring the best possible stewardship of the entire canyon. If you didn't get a chance to attend the event and would like to learn more, visit our website to view his presentation. A shout out to Berkeley City Club for hosting this event! View Presentation In the photo: Volunteers on MLK Day of Service event with Garber Park volunteer coordinator Wyllie (far right). | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona Creek to Bay Day Event Saturday, September 20, from 9am-12pm Join the Garber Park Stewards and North Hills Community Association on Creek to Bay Day! The stewards will work to restore Garber Park's native habitat by raking main trails, removing non-native and invasive plants, and cutting up and hauling out larger branches from the park to help lower fire fuels. Volunteers will work towards filling up a large dumpster provided by the City of Oakland. Scan the QR code above for a map and to sign up. (Larger groups are also welcomed) Questions? Email Wyllie at gpstewards@gmail.com. Sign Up Volunteers cutting back vegetation to open up a section of the Willow Trail. | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona Volunteer in Claremont Canyon September 27, from 10am-12pm Claremont Canyon's vegetation is flourishing, and we need your help to reclaim our beloved trails! If you enjoy visiting and hiking in the Upper Canyon, and would like to give back to the park, join us in our trail maintenance volunteer day. We will be trimming back overgrown blackberry that is now crawling onto some areas of the trail, removing non-native plants, and trimming back some of the canopy to help make the hike clear and safe for everyone. Send us an email to volunteer or sign up by clicking the button below. We also welcome student and company groups, and scout troops! You can also read about some of our projects here.  Volunteer All levels of fitness are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools, gloves, and snacks will be provided. Events Calendar Garber Park Stewards Saturday, September 13 and 20 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 (Map). For more information or questions contact Wyllie. Volunteer in the Upper Canyon Saturday, September 27 10am - 12pm Join us in the upper canyon as we work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom, and collect litter. We meet at Signpost 29, 1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd. More information Here. Questions? Contact us 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. 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. Pink Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula) growing in the Upper Canyon (August 2025). This plant tends to have pink flowers and berries that are both great for pollinators and birds. | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona 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. Bay view from Derby Canyon. | Photo by Marilyn Goldhaber 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.