Update 5-9-2007
MAY 12, PLEASE HELP CONTROL INVASIVES AT STRAWBERRY CREEK MOUTH
Meet on the beach west of Sea Breeze Delicatessen, south side of University Avenue just west of the I-880/580 Freeway, in Berkeley. AC Transit 9 stops across University Avenue from Sea Breeze. I hope to see you there!
PROGRESS AGAINST POLLUTION AT PACIFIC EAST MALL
The Mall also seems to be on track to hire a professional to replant with natives the bare area where herbicide killed our plants. This planting will most likely be done in fall. Thanks to the City of Richmond for their continuing efforts.
Litter control seems to have improved. However, if you visit and see litter between the parking lot and creek, or other problems, please report it to us tell us (f5creeks@aol.com) AND the City of Richmond, by going to its website, http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/, and clicking on "CORconnect" (left side of the home page). This gets you to a simple emailed form, and lets you track the status of your report or complaint. (Handy for other things, too.)
GREEN EVENTS OF OTHERS
MAY 19 BERKELEY CLIMATE ACTION KICK-OFF
MAY 20 ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY TOUR
MAY 20 HIDDEN GEMS OF BERKELEY BIKE TOUR
JUNE 3 GREENING ALBANY EVENT
Please join us at 10 am May 12 at the mouth of Berkeley's Strawberry Creek, for an important work party controlling the invasive perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) that threatens shorebird habitat in this part of Eastshore State Park. Afterwards, I'll take those interested on a short walk discussing the past and future of nearaby wetlands, for National Wetlands Month.
Many of you sent emails to Richmond asking that Pacific East Mall be required to remedy the damage they did in spraying herbicides along the area we had restored, between Cerrito Creek and the Mall parking lot. Your efforts are working! The Mall has installed filters that should control the polluted runoff that has long drained from their parking lot to Cerrito Creek -- These were required in their original use permit but never put in. This should also eliminate the foul smells from this runoff.
Berkeley's Josh Kornbluth will MC the kickoff of Berkeley's campaign to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions 80%, 10 am - noon Saturday, May 19, at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby, across from Ashby BART. Free, but please RSVP to mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us, since space is somewhat limited.
May 19 is the first National Endangered Species Day (zoos started this event in 2006, and the US Senate recognized it this year). Golden Hour Restoration is recognizing this with an all-day professionally guided bus tour of East Bay rare species and habitats on Sunday, May 20; information at www.goldenhour.org. This is a fundraiser; cost is $100 and participation limited to ll. While you're at the website, check out Golden Hour's other upcoming courses/tours, combining restoration and fun.
Berkeley Partners for Parks and others sponsor the fifth annual Hidden Gems of Berkeley bicycle tour Sunday, May 20, 10 am - 2 pm, this year focusing on South Berkeley and the Elmwood, and including a butterfly garden, fish house, house with a stream running through it, and more. Free; meet at Halcyon Commons (on Halcyon Court, next to Prince Street, one block west of Telegraph). Information at 510 849 1969.
The Albany Chamber of Commerce, itself a green business, sponsors Greening Albany, with guest speakers including Assemblymember Loni Hancock and Sierra Magazine's "Hey Mr. Green" Bob Schildgen and booth with ideas on how you can combat global warming, 11 am - 2 pm Sunday, June 3, al AlbanyMiddle School, 1259 Brighton (next to Ohlone Greenway). Free; information at albanygreenteam@gmail.com.