EmailAnnual Meeting Nov. 8 | Fall Bird Walk in Claremont Canyon | Volunteer Events
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Erica Rutherford (second from the left) and John Colbert (not included in the photo) showing birders and bird enthusiasts where to look for a House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) and Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) at the 2025 Spring Bird Walk. | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
Calling all bird enthusiasts! Saturday, November 7 from 7:30am-10:30am (meet at 7:15am)
Join Erica Rutherford and John Colbert, Conservancy members and long time birders, at our 2026 Fall Bird Walk! Erica and John will lead this event and help us look for birds in the Canyon. This fall has brought an influx of montane species such as Red Crossbills and Evening Grosbeaks into the area. We will search (and listen) for these as well as year-round resident birds.
(Please RSVP) This event is limited to 12 participants—contact us at info@claremontcanyon.orgor fill out the short form to sign up for this walk. The exact location will be emailed to participants several days prior to the event. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have one. Rain cancels.
Annual Meeting—November 8 from 4-6 pm At the Claremont Resort and Club
Come celebrate our 25th Anniversary at the Claremont Resort and Club on November 8 to learn what new state regulations and our new insurance commissioner will mean for the future of homeowner fire insurance. The meeting will be a chance to hear from our Board of Directors and two special guests, Brenda Montano of the East Bay Regional Park District and Patrick Wolff, Bay Area business man and financial investor. See more details about our speaker in the fall print newsletter(arriving in your mail soon).
This California native shrub, Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), was identified and photographed in early October on Panoramic Way by Jeff Martin. 'Tis the season to see toyon plants with their bright red berries—a great food source for many birds and larger mammals! Jeff shared with us a great way to remember this plant. 'When I used to take school groups out in the fall in Marin, I had them remember the name because it was almost the holiday season...soo. “Toys On.”'
Want to share your photos with us? Our members enjoy seeing what's in bloom in Claremont Canyon. Email us at info@claremontcanyon.org.
A photo of the burned area taken from along Upper Panoramic Way. Credit: Citizen reporter | Courtesy ofBerkeleyside.
Recent fire on Panoramic Hill
On October 20, a recent fire ignited in the hills along the Oakland-Berkeley border near the 1000 block of Panoramic Way. According to Berkeleyside, 'by 12:20 p.m., the blaze had damaged at least one residential home and spread to a half-acre in size, according to the Oakland Fire Department. Berkeley police said the fire was 2-3 acres in size and advised people to avoid the area. Firefighters from Berkeley, Oakland, East Bay Regional Parks, Cal Fire, and Alameda County were on scene trying to contain the flames. At 2:35 p.m. Berkeley police said the fire was “under control”.' This fire was a reminder of the 1991 Oakland Tunnel Fire which unfortunately destroyed over 3,000 homes, injured 150 people, and claimed 25 lives.
Wildfire Preparedness - what we can do?
Join the Conversation - The Oakland Firesafe Council is hosting monthly community meetings to discuss current issues and concerns regarding wildfire safety. Visit this page for more information.
Several large eucalyptus trees along Alvarado Road are nearing the end of their lives, presenting a significant hazard to homes, cars, and people because of falling branches and excess debris. | Photo by Marilyn Goldhaber
An opportunity to do more!
The Claremont Canyon Conservancy continues to move forward with its Safer Canyon Initiative. We are seeking final approval from the City of Oakland for removal of 11 trees from Garber Park at two locations. In the Conservancy's pending Creek Permit application, there are 5 Eucalyptus trees down from the entrance at Evergreen Lane and 6 trees near the Alvarado Road entrance (3 Eucalyptus trees, 2 Pine trees, and 1 downed Bay tree) proposed for removal. Once the Creek Permit is approved, the Conservancy will schedule a community meeting and a time for removal.
Berkeley Green Team members from Berkeley High after a successful day of pulling broom! | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
Volunteer Day | Sat., November 14, from 10am-12pm
On Sunday, October 18, Berkeley Green Team (photo above) joined us in the upper canyon to pull non-native and invasive broom. Broom grows into dense thickets, with plants growing larger than five feet tall, is highly flammable, and can turn into a wildfire threat to our parks. Thanks to their efforts and the efforts of many other volunteers, we continue pulling these broom stands from underneath a healthy grove of mature oaks and maples.
If you enjoy visiting and hiking in the upper canyon, and would like to give back to the park, join us at our next volunteer event | Saturday, November 14 (details below).
Send us an email to volunteer or sign up by clicking the button below. Student groups, company groups, and scout troops are welcome.
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.
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 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.
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.
A small pollinator visiting a yellow flower in bloom, most likely a hoverfly species. | Photo taken at Signpost 29 by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
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A misty morning at the Claremont Canyon bench by Signpost 29. As the rainy period approaches, we will start to see ladybugs huddling together to keep warm, banana slugs resting above ground to enjoy the raindrops, and newts scurrying across trails. This is a great time to explore the canyon! | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
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.
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