July Happenings 2023 - Advocacy Update

Advocacy Update

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. This aerial view shows tree removal work already done by UC Berkeley in Claremont Canyon. Berkeleyside article—Photo: Doug Prose. Our response to the June 9, 2023 State Court of Appeals decision The Conservancy invested in this case in order to enable UC to remove eucalyptus and pine trees that could cause the spread of wildfire. We also wanted UC to make clear what vegetation it planned to remove and not be hampered by limits imposed by the group HCN. We support UC moving forward with vegetation management on its Hill Campus. We look forward to UC's work to make the area more firesafe. Assuming the Court of Appeals decision stands, this is a victory for the community as well as for UC. (See our full statement here.) In response to significant regional concerns about fire safety and emergency vehicle access during the Fourth of July holiday, Grizzly Peak Blvd. between Skyline Blvd. and Centennial Dr. will be closed from 5 am July 4th through 5 am July 5th. Read more from Berkeley Councilmember Susan Wengraf. Receive emergency notifications through ACAlert. Sign up here and learn more here. Photo by Jane Tyska of Grizzly Fire Working towards fire safety Here at Claremont Canyon Conservancy we are always working to advocate for our community, especially in regards to fire prevention and mitigation. We wanted to share with you some of our most recent advocacy endeavors. Our president, Jon Kaufman sent a letter to Matt Nauman, communications executive at PG&E, designating strategic areas for undergrounding power lines, and also urging more funding. You can read Kauffman's full letter on our website. If you are interested in working with us on these important issues please consider joining our board! Photo by Julia Sumangil Photography from eastbaywildfire.org  East Bay Hills' grassroots advocacy effort At a meeting last week of some 40 public officials, it was agreed to submit a memorandum of understanding to the various public agencies in the high wildfire risk zone. If agreed to, it would facilitate coordination of efforts to reduce the wildfire threat. Read the MOU. All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools are provided.  Garber Park Stewards Saturday, July 15th  9 a.m.-Noon  Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplace below the Evergreen Lane entrance. For more information or questions contact Wyllie. Signpost 29 Saturday, July 22nd 10 a.m.-Noon  Join us at Signpost 29 for a day of restoration (1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd.) as we work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom and collect litter. More information Here. Questions? Contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org. Hiking the Canyon We would love to hear from our members and others who are out hiking or otherwise observing nature in the canyon. Send us your pictures and we will feature one each month. Wildflower field planted and nurtured by Take to the Hills in Derby Canyon. (Photo: Melina Linder) Share this newsletter with your friends: Do you have a friend who would appreciate receiving our monthly email newsletter? You can easily add new recipients to our mailing list by going here. Board members Josh Borkowski and Jon Kaufman on a hike a while back at the steep section of the Stonewall-Panoramic Ridge Trail in the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (Photo: Marilyn Goldhaber).  Trails are open All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. For maps and complete information on trails click here.  Please stay safe and take all items and pet waste out with you.  For the long-term stewardship of Claremont Canyon Copyright © 2023 Claremont Canyon Conservancy, All rights reserved. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.