On Sat., Feb. 10, Berkeley Path Wanderers Assn. sponsors a four-hour exploration of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park with ethnologist and wildlife biologist Jim Hale. The walk includes several rock sites used by Native Americans and is followed by an optional drive to see rock art at nearby Poinsett Park in El Cerrito. (Hale also will speak on local wildlife and Native American history at Berkeley Path Wanderers’ Feb. 15 meeting, see www.berkeleypaths.org.)
Meet at 10 am at the Wildcat Canyon Staging Area, Park Avenue 0.1 mile northeast of McBryde Avenue, Richmond. Bring water and lunch. Dress in layers and be prepared for rain and mud. Driving directions at www.berkeleypaths.org; map at www.ebparks.org; AC Transit 68 stops nearby. More information at www.berkeleypaths.org or 925 939 4304.
Feb. 5 talk on estuaries
Friends of Five Creeks president Susan Schwartz gives a slide tour and talk on “Restoring America’s Estuaries: Winning Battles But…,” 7 pm Mon., Feb. 5, at the Edith Stone Room, Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. Free; information at www.fivecreeks.org, f5creeks@aol.com, or 510 848 9358.
Help Restore Cerrito Ck. Jan. 27
Help Friends of Five Creeks volunteers control erosion, remove invasives, and plant natives on Cerrito Creek at the foot of Albany Hill, 10 am – 12:30 pm Saturday, Jan. 27. Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with good traction. Heavy rain cancels. Meet at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara St., El Cerrito (just north of Albany Hill). More information at www.fivecreeks.org, f5creeks@aol.com, or 510 848 9358.
Jan. 20 BPWA Wildcat Canyon walk
Join Berkeley Path Wanderers and East Bay Park District Naturalist Dave Zuckermann exploring the historic Alvarado Park section of Wildcat Canyon Park, 10 am Saturday, Jan. 20. This 2.5 mile, moderately paced walk will explore the creek, 1930s stonework, and fascinating ruins. Bring water and snack; dress in layers and be prepared for mud. Meet at the East Bay Regional Park District staging area off of Park Ave., 0.1 mile off McBryde Ave., in Richmond. Driving directions at www.berkeleypaths.org or www.ebparks.org.
Creek Art to Action
A dozen Berkeley High School AP Environmental Science students got “down and dirty” Saturday, Mar. 18, 2006, making ephemeral art with “found” materials in the first session of Friends of Five Creeks’ “Art to Action on Berkeley Creeks” project. Working with local environmental artist Zach Pine (www.naturesculpture.com), students turned leaves, logs, litter, even muddy footprints into art . The site was the swale next to Lower Glendale Path, one of Codornices Creek’s many headwaters. Less visible results: seeing more clearly, and a deepened appreciation of nature and creeks. Huge thanks to students, Zach, and especially BHS teacher Mardi Mertens.