steward the land, reduce fire risk, build community
Events this month
Calendar of weekly work parties, special events, and holiday breaks.
What we do
steward the land
The Hillside Natural Area is a biodiversity hotspot, home to hundreds of native plant species and a rich mosaic of plant communities shaped by terrain, orientation, and water. From oak woodlands to coastal grasslands and valleys filled with roses, monkeyflowers, and toyon, this landscape reflects the resilience of California’s native flora. Adapted to the local climate, these plants retain moisture, stabilize soils, support biodiversity, and efficiently sequester carbon.
They are also overwhelmed by invasive vegetation that disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem.
With informed and active stewardship, this landscape can regenerate, teach, and endure.
reduce fire risk
As a Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI), the park is considered a high fire-risk area—especially due to invasive, highly flammable species like French broom. By prioritizing its removal, we reduce fire risk while creating space for a more fire-resilient native landscape.
This work is carried out in close partnership with the El Cerrito Fire Department.
The 2025 wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades are a stark reminder that similar events could happen in El Cerrito. With limited public resources, community stewardship plays a critical role in protecting our homes and community.
build community
Third spaces are increasingly important. Our weekly work parties are a restorative third space to unplug, destress, and work with our hands. Volunteers connect not only with the earth, but also other volunteers. We are poets, students, retired professors, and tech workers from varying backgrounds.
This is a zero-cost community where you can come and go as your schedule allows. Some of us volunteer weekly, while others join once a year on Earth Day. We accommodate all abilities and ages.
We believe that caring for our community is intrinsically human, and caring for our public spaces should only be outsourced to the government or corporations.
Sign up for our newsletter
We have two newsletters:
Weekly Work Party Updates (sent 1x weekly)
A short weekly email with information about where we’re meeting, when to show up, and what to bring for upcoming volunteer events.
Monthly Impact Newsletter (sent ~1x monthly)
A monthly recap with project progress, stories from the field, fun facts about native plants, and ways to stay involved.
We look forward to connecting with you!