Sunday, Nov. 18, 3-4:30 PM, join us on the Santa Fe Right of Way to learn about an exciting project– planting Chinese brake ferns to draw toxic heavy metals from soil on the old railroad bed. The hoped-for result — a new green haven! The get-together, with food and music, is at Ward Street and the Right of Way, one block west of Sacramento.
Funded by the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Community Partnership Grant Program (see next item), the project is a joint effort of Berkeley Partners for Parks and UC Berkeley’s Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Department, with cooperation from the City of Berkeley, Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative, and the Ecology Center.
More information at 510 849 1969 or www.bpfp.org/sfrow. Hope to see you there!
November 5th, 2012 fivecreeks
Got a great idea for Berkeley that volunteers and a little money could carry out? UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Community Partnership Grants pair community groups with UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and/or students plus supply funding. The deadline for pre-proposals is Dec. 3. For these pre-proposals, you don’t need to work out in advance all details (such as city approvals and exact partnerships).
Information on these grants is at http://office.chancellor.berkeley.edu/gcr/ccpf.shtml
Groups that are nonprofits will need a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor. If your project involves public open space or recreation, BPFP may be able to help. Get in touch! We have lots of experience (one or more grants to our partners from every cycle) and are glad to advise. In addition, if your project doesn’t need the $5000 minimum grant amount, we may be able to package it with others.
November 5th, 2012 fivecreeks
Charlie Bowen, head of Berkeley Path Wanderers’ path-building work, has been named 2012′s Cox Conserves Hero! Berkeley Path Wanderers’ Association, through fiscal sponsor Berkeley Partners for Parks, will receive $10,000!
“This was a real community effort,” Charlie said. “Many people were part of it.” The money, she promised, will go to good use improving more paths “for the use and enjoyment of all” — a phrase from BPWA’s mission statement that she said inspires here even when she gets tired of the work.
The Cox Conserves Heroes Award is a joint project of the Trust for Public Land and KTVU_TV (Channel 2). A panel selects finalists, and the winner is chosen by an online vote.
Scroll down for more on Charlie’s work. Congratulations, Charlie!
October 12th, 2012 fivecreeks
Friends of Five Creeks President Susan Schwartz received the California Invasive Plant Council’s Ryan Jones Catalyst Award “for exceptional initiative in invasive plant management and the protection of California ecosystems,” at Cal-IPC’s annual meeting Thursday, Oct. 11. A large part of all-volunteer Friends of Five Creeks’ work in natural and restored “green threads in the urban fabrid” goes toward controlling invasive weeds that threaten plant and animal diversity and increase risk of fire or flood.
October 12th, 2012 fivecreeks
Walkers age 50+: Join Friends of Five Creeks Vice President Shirley Jowell in an Indian Summer exploration of North Berkeley and Albany gardens that are water-saving and Bay-friendly as well as beautiful. Meet at the garden next to Berkeley Bagels, 1281 Gilman near Santa Fe, Berkeley. This is an easy, level, unhurried walk. Information: sjowell@att.net, 510 525 7012.
The walk is free, but please RSVP to co-sponsor Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic, 510 524 9122.
October 12th, 2012 fivecreeks
