Update 1-29-2008
Big thanks to kids and parents from Congregation Netivot Shalom, who helped plant drought-tolerant natives along the bicycle-pedestrian path on the Santa Fe Right of Way at Berkeley Way last week. With help from other community groups and neighbors, we hope to turn this bare path (the city ran out of money for landscaping) into a model of pollutant-free, drought-tolerant, pollinator-rich, colorful, and tough landscaping with native plants. Please get in touch if you're interested in this project!
Trying again Sat., Feb. 2, on planting natives in upper Codornices watershed
Talk on Berkeley paths Mon., Feb. 4
Cerrito Creek/Albany Hill walks Feb. 6 and 7
Cerrito Creek work party Feb. 9 (rain date Feb. 10)
Frogs and rainy days
I have not enjoyed noticing the frequent sheen of oil in the rainwater running along street gutters, to the storm drains that will carry it to creeks and the Bay. These thin slicks have continued common long after the "first flush" washed away summer's accumulation. We were all appalled at the November spill of 54,000 gallons of oil from a container ship into San Francisco Bay. But because that heavy bunker fuel turns to asphalt, which is relatively inert, its long-term effects probably are less than this continual wash of hydrocarbons and heavy metals from our cars. Please remember that one of the best things you can do to lessen water pollution, as well as global warming, is to simply drive less.
Events of others
Two talks on native bees
Two big eco-garden tours
Register at www.bringingbackthenatives.net for the Sunday, May 4, Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, with more than 60 pesticide-free, predominantly native-plant gardens in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The event again includes a May 3 and 4 Native Plant Sale at various locations, and possibilities for private guided tours on other weekends, including a gourmet bicycle tour and a Berkeley walking tour.
Both tours also need volunteers -- contact them at the same addresses.
Just one salsa dance
Hope to see you soon!
Susan Schwartz
Last Saturday's cancelled Covert Path work party has be re-set for 10 am - 12:30 pm this coming Saturday, February 2. We'll join Berkeley Path Wanderers planting natives as part of a future interpretive hills-to-Bay "trail" in the upper Codornices watershed, and also remove invasives and re-level some steps. Meet at the top of Upper Covert Path, next to 1142 Keeler Ave., between Shasta and Twain.
Please join us at 7 pm Monday, Feb. 4, at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. Charlie Bowen, Berkeley Path Wanderers path-building chair, will speak and show slides on her very successful volunteer projects extending the Berkeley path network. Free, all welcome!
In February, our focus shifts back to lower Cerrito Creek and Albany Hill. I will lead two free walks there in the first week of February, both starting at Peets Coffee, San Pablo and Carlson, El Cerrito (AC Transit 72, El Cerrito Plaza BART). On Wed., Feb. 6, the Berkeley Path Wanderers' first Wednesday walk starts at 10 am. On Thursday, Feb. 7, the first in a series of walks for folks 50+, exploring Albany's natural treasures, starts at 9 am. Both walks will be about two hours and will climb Albany Hill, gaining almost 300 ft. elevation. Wear sturdy walking shoes; dress in layers; bring water and walking sticks if you use them.
Sometimes success is what doesn't happen. During the recent storms, Cerrito Creek north of Albany Hill did not go beyond the Creekside Park flood-control ponds; the neighborhood stayed dry. I have to think this is at least partly due to our hard work removing evergreen thornless blackberry that in the past almost choked the creek. From 10 am to 1 pm Sat., Feb. 9, we'll plant natives and remove invasives along this "liberated" reach. Light and heavy tasks for all ages, and a playground for the younger set!
Meet at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara, El Cerrito (72 bus, El Cerrito Plaza BART). If we're rained out on Saturday we'll try again the next day, Sunday, Feb. 10, same time and place.
In the drizzle, I have been enjoying our little Pacific chorus frogs, in full voice at familiar places like Cerrito Creek at El Cerrito Plaza and the Berkeley Meadow. We aren't surveying for frogs this year, but conditions seem to be good -- I'd love to hear about places where you hear them. Thanks!
Dr. Gordon Frankie, UC Berkeley researcher on California's 1600 species of native bees, will speak next week at two venues on these wild native pollinators and how you and they can help each other. The Close to Home series of talks sponsors Dr. Frankie at 7:30 pm Monday, Feb. 4, at Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Rd., Oakland (www.close-to-home.org, 510 655-6658). Berkeley Path Wanderers Assn. hosts him at 7 pm Thursday, Feb. 7, at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St., Berkeley.
It's hard to imagine in this rain, but warmth and flowers will come, and with them our two big local "green" garden tours. Registration for both is open.
Register for the Sunday, April 27, Alameda County Bay-Friendly Garden Tour at http://stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=617. The varied gardens, some clustered so you can walk or bike between them, include an urban farm, a backyard orchard with salvaged art, a market garden, and drought-tolerant, wildlife-friendly gardens.
Here's a different opportunity to help the environment: Kick up your heels with Friends of Garrity Creek at a benefit salsa dance, Sat., Feb. 2, 8 pm to midnight, at 4660 Appian Way, El Sobrante (El Sobrante Boys' and Girls' Club -- From I-880, go east from the Appian Way exit). Music by Orquesta Son de Cana and the Bay Area Sextet. Information at (510) 223-6091.
Susan Schwartz