From 10 AM – 1 PM Saturday, March 21, join Friends of Five Creeks volunteers removing invasives and improving wildlife habitat in the Berkeley “Meadow” area of Eastshore State Park. Find out how this former garbage dump is being transformed. With luck, we can take a short walk to see rare burrowing owls near the work site! Meet on the north side of University Avenue just west of I-880/580, opposite Sea Breeze Market (Internet maps 598 University Ave., Berkeley; AC Transit 9; great walk or bike ride on the Bay Trail or pedestrian/bicycle trail from Aquatic Park). Tools, gloves, and snacks provided. Dress for all weather, in clothes that can get dirty. Information at www.fivecreeks.org, f5creeks@aol.com, 510 848 9358.
April 20: Maximizing Your Input on Local Green Space
Monday, April 20, 7-9 PM
Berkeley Partners for Parks Earthweek Symposium:
Citizens and Our Local Green Spaces:
Maximizing Your Input
Join Sue Ferrera, Berkeley Parks Supervisor, and experienced leaders in a conversation on how to start a project, work with government, get funding, and attract volunteers. Find out specifics on the upcoming UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Community Partnership Grants! Tell your friends! Put it on your calendar! West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St. (at Hearst).
F5C volunteers at Schoolhouse Ck. mouth Dec. 6
From 10 am to 12:30 pm Sat., Dec. 6, join Friends of Five Creeks removing invasives and making an attractive park from former garbage dump at the mouth of Schoolhouse Creek. Eastshore State Park. Dress in layers with clothes that can get dirty. We supply gloves, tools, and snacks. From the small turnout from West Frontage Road between University and Gilman, go through the gate on the right (north) and then walk west (toward the Bay) until you see the group. Parking is limited; it’s best to park at the lot at Seabreeze Market & Deli, University Avenue just west of the freeway, and walk 5 minutes north on the Bay Trail. AC Transit 9, or a great walk or bike ride on the Bay Trail! Information at www.fivecreeks.org; f5creeks@aol.com.
F5C Cerrito Creek work party
From 10 am to 12:30 pm Sat., Nov. 22, join Friends of Five Creeks planting natives on Cerrito Creek north of Albany Hill. Meet at El Cerrito’s Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara Ave., El Cerrito (Internet maps 3499 Santa Clara Ave.; AC Transit 72 or 52L). Dress in layers for all weather; wear closed-toed shoes with good traction. We supply tools, gloves, and snacks. Great for families! Information at www.fivecreeks.org or f5creeks@aol.com.
F5C busy on Berkeley waterfront
Friends of Five Creeks had a busy Saturday, Nov. 8, volunteering in Eastshore State Park. In the morning, a dozen King Middle School 6th graders levered out broom bushes, pulled invasive ice plant, picked up trash, and planted native grasses, all in the course of an interpretive walk from Shorebird Park to the mouth of Strawberry Creek.
In the afternoon, more than 25 volunteers from UC Berkeley (Circle K and Roots and Shoots service clubs) and the community cleared a big broom thicket and masses of invasive weeds from the ecologically important Berkeley Meadow, north of University Avenue.
We’ll be planting natives at Cerrito Creek on November 22, and working on the waterfront again Dec. 6. See the calendar, or www.fivecreeks.org, and join us!