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Jerry Kent (left) at a Conservancy stewardship event in Garber Park in 2003 (photo by Marilyn Goldhaber) and (right) as a Tilden Regional Park Foreman in 1963 (photo courtesy of EBRPD).
May you rest in peace
Jerry Kent was a treasure. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the Claremont Canyon Conservancy. He was not only a font of knowledge about the canyon, its history and the wildfire issue, but he was able to share his knowledge with anyone and everyone who wanted to know. If we needed advise on how to proceed, we always turned to Jerry. He was there for us in person, on the phone, or by email. Our website is full of papers he wrote, lists he compiled and maps he assembled. We were so fortunate to have him with us for many great years. He will live on in our memories and in our hearts for years to come.
Thanks to Jeff Martin, Conservancy member and woodpecker enthusiast, who hikes Claremont Canyon, we are getting a glimpse into a few summer blooms. This is a flower from a spreading soaproot plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum), also known as amole—abeautiful native perennial plant that grows well in open oak habitat, grasslands, and chaparral environments. It blooms from May through August in the evenings, and its uses are vast. Soaproot has been used as food, soap and shampoo, medicine, and to catch fish!
A lovely white flower in full bloom photographed along the Stonewall-Panoramic Trail. | Photo by Jeff Martin
Visit Calflora and Bay Nature to learn more about this wonderful plant and a bit of its history. If you are hiking the canyon and taking photos of nature that you would like to share with us, send 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 has discussed the tree removal proposal with Oakland city officials and awaits approval to move forward. 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.
A group of enthusiastic volunteers after a day of bagging over 40 green waste bags filled with non-native plants and debris. | Photo by Wyllie Clayson (August 2023)
Volunteer with the Claremont Resort & Club Thursday, Aug. 20th from 10am-12pm (lunch at noon)
Join the Claremont Resort & Club, Conservancy members, and the Garber Park Stewards for a fun morning clean-up event. We will be tidying up the public paths leading to the Evergreen entrance and a few volunteers will be helping in Garber Park. This event will be hosted by the Claremont Resort & Club with delicious lunch afterwards for volunteers—provided by the hotel.
Space is limited to 10 attendees.RSVP here or send us an email atinfo@claremontcanyon.org. Location and details will be provided closer to the event.
Disaster Preparedness Webinar Mon., August 10 from 2-3pm
Join this month's one hour webinar “Personal and Family Preparedness Before a Disaster” hosted by Pacific Region Garden Clubs featuring Todd Lando of Fire Safe Marin. This is the fourth of five Firewise webinars where you will learn how to lower your risk of wildfire loss and ways to protect your community from expert professionals. Visit this page to Register.
Thanks to our weed wrenches, our volunteers Eric and Patrick, enjoyed a day of pulling broom near the Summit House Trail. Both in front of the Conservancy bench. | Photo by Wyllie Clayson
A fun broom party!
Thank you to our volunteers who spent a few hours of their Saturday with us pulling invasive broom. They helped us continue removing these dense stands that are flammable, highly invasive, and non-native. As a result, we are opening up areas for native plants to grow and expand while lowering the chances of having a dangerous wildfire in Claremont Canyon. Volunteers pulled hundreds of broom plants by their taproots. Thank you!
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.
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) growing in a sunny area between a few rocks along the Derby Canyon area. | Photo by Jeff Martin
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A branch abundant in unidentified lichen and mosses growing along the Willow Trailin Claremont Canyon. Visit Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve to see and photograph these amazing species. | Photo by Ruby J. Soto
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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