Working with Oakland on the Safer Canyon Initiative | Wildfire Prevention Resources
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Clusters of pink and orange flowers peek out asGiant Vetch (Vicia gigantea) weaves through blackberry and willows growing along the Willow Trail in Claremont Canyon. | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona
Delicate summer blooms
If you are hiking the Willow Trail this summer, be on the lookout for Giant Vetch (Vicia gigantea). This native perennial herb is a master climber that tends to weave through shrubs and climbs the lower branches of trees. Don't miss out on seeing this plant's pea-like flowers. The flowers come in shades of red, orange, yellow, and white and they are great food sources for pollinators! Visit Calflora to learn more.
We would like to explore the trail from your point of view. Share your photos with us by sending us an email at info@claremontcanyon.org.
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
Working with Oakland on the Safer Canyon Initiative
Since 2001, the Claremont Canyon Conservancy has stewarded Claremont Canyon and addressed wildfire risk, to preserve and restore its native healthy ecosystem. Through boots-on-the-ground efforts we have reduced fuel loads, removed dangerous invasive species, and nurtured native species. We have also taken an active role in organizing regional efforts to reduce wildfire risk.
This fall, with the generous $100,000 Safer Canyon donations, the Conservancy seeks to remove eucalyptus trees from Garber Park’s Alvarado entrance and near Fireplace Plaza. The Conservancy is working closely with the City of Oakland to win approval for this project to remove hazardous vegetation. The removal of these trees was called for in Oakland's Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) and identified as the purple shaded area in the Garber Park map (see on page 145 of the VMP document). Take a look at our 2026 Spring Print Newsletter on our website to learn more about the Safer Canyon Initiative.
The City of Oakland is partnering once again with theTown Nights programto help you host a National Night Out block party! Connect with your neighbors and build community. Register youroutdoor event by Friday, July 24, 2026 to block off your street for free. Visit this page to learn more.
This month is a great time to make sure we are prepared in case of a wildfire. The Oakland Firesafe Council has fire preparedness information and guides, wildfire safety programs, and information on Zone 0 on their website.
To protect your home:
Put screens over vents and gutters to prevent flying embers from entering.
Reduce or remove vegetation from within five feet of your homes and garages.
Remove wooden fences within five feet as well. Ideally, remove or fireproof wooden decks.
Find your Evacuation Zone: Download the Genasys Protect app or visit online to save important locations like your home, schools, and workplaces to stay up-to-date with evacuation alerts.
Our volunteers were surprised by the ease of pulling broom plants with our weed wrenches. Above is Ken (right) with his son (left) holding a broom plant that measured over five feet tall! | Photo by Wyllie Clayson
A shout-out to our volunteers!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who joined us at Signpost 29 in June and helped us continue removing dense broom stands. This flammable, highly invasive, and non-native plant, doesn't just crowd out native plants—it also creates dense, dangerous fire hazards in Claremont Canyon. Volunteers pulled over 500 broom plants last month and discovered that these plants can grow really tall, spread out in very dense monocultures, and have deep taproots!
If you're interested in helping us continue this work, join our broom parties! Send us an email at info@claremontcanyon.org. We also host students, company groups, and scouts.
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.
This Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) above was curious about our visit to the Upper Canyon. Although they are small reptiles, they are native to the area and help lower Lyme disease in tick populations. After a tick feeds on their blood, they are cured of Lyme disease. Volunteer with us or donate to help us continue restoring their habitat in the Canyon | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
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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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