Over Thanksgiving holidays, Grotto Rock Park got new steps on the steepest, slickest part of its circular trail, thanks to Troop 237 Eagle Scout candidate Tyler Young and his co-workers. The project is part of safety improvements being carried out by BPFP partner groups Friends of Grotto Rock Park and Friends of Five Creeks, with funding from a UC Chancellor’s Community Service Grant. Volunteers also have been removing ivy and blackberry, planting natives, putting it more steps, and preparing the wide, level trail fronting the rock for a new decomposed-granite surface — the biggest part of the project. Grotto Rock Park, on Santa Barbara just north of Indian Rock Boulevard, has spectacular and romantic Bay views, but wet, slippery trails were hazardous in past winters.
Friends of Five Creeks 10-10-10 event draws 89 volunteers!
Huge thanks to the 89 volunteers who gathered for Codornices Creek restoration and tours on Climate Action Day, 10-10-10. A mountain of trash was removed, over 100 feet of exuberant willows were thinned and pruned, and younger volunteers curbed smaller invasives.
Evening walk explores Cerrito Ck. and Albany Hill Thurs., Apr. 22
Friends of Five Creeks and Transition Albany invite you to enjoy Cerrito Creek and Albany Hill on a spring evening, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Meet at 6 PM at Peet’s Coffee, San Pablo and Carlson, El Cerrito; wear long pants and sleeves (poison oak) and sturdy hiking shoes with good traction; bring sticks if you use them. This two-hour exploration of rare urban wilderness with fascinating history will cross the creek on stepping stones and gain 300′ elevation on moderately steep, narrow dirty trails — with refreshments at the top! Information at www.fivecreeks.org, f5creeks@aol.com, 510 848 9358.
Jan. 4 talk on Toxic Legacy: Mercury in SF Bay
Invisible but deadly, mercury threatens San Francisco Bay wildlife, complicates restoration, and is the major reason that people must avoid eating Bay fish. But what to do is a conundrum. San Francisco Estuary Institute ecologist Kat Ridolfi speaks on sources of mercury, current research, and choices that can reduce contamination, 7 PM Monday, Jan. 4, at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin (at Masonic).
Free; refreshments; all welcome! Information at f5creeks@aol.com, 510 848 9358, www.fivecreeks.org.
Community-based Habitat Restoration Workshop in Oakland
You are invited to attend a workshop for Digging In: A Guide to Community Based Habitat Restoration
Thursday, September 24, 8:30am-4:30pm
Martin Luther King Junior Regional Shoreline Center, Oakland
The Coastal Commission is hosting this workshop in partnership with Save The Bay. Speakers include Darcie Collins, PhD of Save The Bay; Susan Schwartz of Friends of Five Creeks, and Myla Ablog of Literacy for Environmental Justice. Participants will receive a copy of Digging In and lunch will be provided. A tour of the Martin Luther King Shoreline restoration area and nursery led by Save the Bay staff will conclude the workshop. Space is limited.
For more information, email coast4u@coastal.ca.gov or call (800) COAST-4U.
To reserve a space, mail a $30 check (scholarships available), payable to “Tides Center/Marine Educ. Projectâ€, along with your name, affiliation, and email address to:
California Coastal Commission Public Education Program – Digging In 45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94105For more information and an event flyer, please visit //www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/UNBweb/diggingin.html.