As the number of COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area decreases, some of the organizations that work to restore East Bay wildlands are carefully restarting volunteer activities. We want to help spread the word about restoration activities of other local groups, so with short descriptions from the organizations’ websites, here are two opportunities for you to help with restoration activities in June organized by Garber Park Stewards and Tending the Ancient Shoreline Hill (Albany Hill).
Garber Park is a 13-acre wildland park owned by the City of Oakland and located behind the Claremont Hotel in Claremont Canyon. Garber Park is home to significant stands of big-leaf maple, California buckeyes, and regenerating coast live oak woodland and forest. The Garber Park Stewards vision is to safeguard the native wildland resources of Garber Park while reducing the risk of wildfire and improving the trail system.
Garber Park Volunteer Restoration
Saturday, June 19, 9am–Noon (third Saturday of the month)
Meet at the Evergreen Lane entrance to Garber Park
Please join us for a fun morning of restoration and clean-up in beautiful Garber Park. Activities include weeding out invasive weeds and clearing eucalyptus debris on the Evergreen Lane hillside, below Fireplace Plaza, and in Fern Glade. Easy weeding in Fern Glade. Trail work: many spots along the trail need steps replaced and eroded trails shored up for safe walking.
Wear: Long sleeves, long pants, and good shoes or boots for trails (no open-toed shoes). Bring gloves, a water bottle, and snacks. We provide tools, refills for water bottles, and gloves (if you don’t have them).
Everyone welcome: Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a Waiver (available at sign-in) signed by their parent or responsible adult.
Directions to Evergreen Lane entrance: From Ashby Ave/Tunnel Rd, take Alvarado Rd, then left on Slater Lane, and right on Evergreen Lane. The entrance is at the end of the street. For those who don’t mind a short but steep walk up the hill, you can park at the Claremont Ave parking lot and walk up the trail. A map and directions to both park entrances can be found here.
For more information or questions: Contact Shelagh garberparkstewards@gmail.com
Tending the Ancient Shoreline Hill
Albany Hill, the little hill next to the East Bay shoreline, is an ancient and sacred hill. It has a fascinating geological, natural, and human history. We help the hill through habitat restoration and environmental education work. We remove invasive plants, clean up trash, and restore and augment native plant populations with stock grown from Albany Hill seeds and cuttings. We also hold nature walks and other activities on the hill to help people appreciate the plants and animals as well as history of the little hill. Join us.
Restoration on Albany Hill
Saturday, June 26, 9-11 am (last Saturday of the month)
Help us make room for native plants to return by weeding out ivy, Himalayan blackberries, and scatter grass.
Email tashorehill@gmail.com for meeting place.
— June 2021
