If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
We couldn't have done it without you
As we close out 2024 and begin 2025, we would like to pause and say thank you to everyone who has been involved with our organization. To our volunteers, students, scouts, and community residents; to our financial supporters both large or small; to area homeowners who are making their properties safer from wildfire; and to everyone who drives by our canyon and simply admires the beauty of our open space. Thank you for what you do to help keep Claremont Canyon a wonderful wildland preserve. We have had a busy and successful 2024 on all fronts, and with your help, we look forward to making 2025 equally rewarding.
~ The Conservancy board members Josh Borkowski, John Brochu, Greg Call, Marilyn Goldhaber, Jon Kaufman, Jerry Kent, Rick Marcus, Nancy Mueller, and Elizabeth Stage
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrohynchus) heading SE over Marlborough Terrace, Oakland, CA |Photo by Alex Pierce
Flying into 2025
During the winter time, the American White Pelican can be spotted flying high in the sky or slapping water in wetlands in order to drive schools of fish to the shallow areas so that it can easily scoop them up with its bill and have a meal. This large waterbird is considered to be one of the largest flying birds, a bird larger than an Eagle but smaller than a California Condor—with a wingspan of about 10 feet wide. A characteristic to look out for in adult pelicans is a horn on the tip of the bill, and although the adults are usually quiet, juvenile pelicans might emit a low, brief grunt, or a whining grunt. Listen to their calls here at Cornell Lab All About Birds.
Visit Kay Loughman's wildlife website to see more pictures of other species spotted in and around the Canyon.
Berkeley Project Day UC students in Garber Park's Fern Glade after a day of mulching main trails to help make them easier to walk on.
Because of you
We thank all who have donated and ask our members and friends, if you haven't yet done so, please consider renewing your membership and charitable donations for the new year. All contributions large and small are important and much appreciated. Because of you, the Conservancy is a vibrant force in the East Bay and a leader in wildfire safety in the wildland-urban interface. We are nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders right in our own backyard! You can visit our page to Donatewith PayPal or credit card. You can also specify contributions to go directly to the Garber Park Stewards.
Scout Alex (second from the left) with his scout master Paul (far right), and two members of his team, after installing their first waterbar on the upper Willow Trail. The waterbars will divert surface water runoff from the trails and onto the vegetated areas so that the trails become more accessible.
Here's to more events in 2025!
In 2024, many great volunteers helped us continue our restoration efforts. At Signpost 29, scouts worked on various projects to help restore trails and trail crossings, and university students removed invasive broom plants—some over ten feet tall—to lower the chances of a wildfire. In Garber Park, volunteers joined the stewards in their monthly events and during big events like MLK Day of Service, Earth Day, and Creek to Bay Day—to remove invasive plants and collect over 300 bags of debris from the park. The Claremont Resort and Spa also joined our Conservancy community to clean up the public paths leading to the resort's property from Evergreen Lane, and to help remove invasive plants in Garber Park.
We're excited for another great year! Thank you to all who joined us.
Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplacebelow the Evergreen Lane entrance (Map). For more informationor questionscontactWyllie.
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 at info@ClaremontCanyon.org and we will feature one each month.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) in Monterey pine on Grand View, Oakland, CA | Photo taken by Alex Pierce.
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.
Claremont Canyon Conservancy bench at Signpost 29 | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
Trails are open
All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. For maps and complete information on trails click here. You can also take a guided tour here. Please stay safe and take all items and pet waste out with you.
