Saturday, May 30, 9–11 AM — Albany Restoration Work Party
There will be no work party on the El Cerrito hillside this Saturday, but we encourage you to support restoration efforts on our sister hill in Albany and learn alongside Margot, the amazing steward there. Volunteers will work in various areas removing invasive blackberries and other weeds. Please bring gloves and tools for digging and/or cutting. Meet at the intersection of the East Side Trail and the Oak Woodland Trail, accessible either from:

• the far north end of Madison Ave, Albany, or

• the far south end of Santa Clara St, El Cerrito (after crossing Cerrito Creek).

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1CpZpMdEPcWW6TbeGzuUYy080RKW0rB1L&usp=sharing

Wednesday, 4–7 PM — Flow Party at the Yellow Alley

Enter the HNA on Schmidt. We will be working near this area https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZCbVTv482LpbrV56?g_st=ic

On Wednesdays, we run an open-format work session—join at any time and stay as long as you like.

Join us along a bright stretch of trail bordered by gum plants and narrowleaf mule’s ears, where golden blooms spill across the hillside and turn the path into a corridor of sunlight.

We will be removing invasive cotoneaster there (technically broom, but with tougher roots!) and reducing the overwhelming population of plantain. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about this remarkably resilient plant — both its culinary uses and its role in folk medicine — and will go home with a homemade restorative salve.

No prior experience is needed — tools and guidance are provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants, along with sturdy shoes. We will provide tools. If possible, please bring your own gloves.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Saturday – 10am–Noon
South entrance of Regency Court (GPS: 1531 Regency Court, El Cerrito)

We’ll tackle broom beneath beautiful oaks in the Hidden Valley. GPS coordinates

We will also remove huge poison hemlocks competing with the nearby elderberry. Many are surprisingly easy to pull by hand: extremely satisfying work.

There is also some low-growing poison oak in the area, so come prepared. We’re happy to share our guidance and best practices for working around it safely.

For this work party, please arrive on time so we can head out together, or coordinate with us if you plan to join later. You can also join our WhatsApp group to receive updates.

No prior experience is needed — tools and guidance are provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants, along with sturdy shoes. We will provide tools. If possible, please bring your own gloves.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – 4pm–7pm: Flex Party (come and leave whenever you like)
End of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

Activities will include:

• Light hand-weeding of thistles in a meadow with strong restoration potential

• Exploring habitat beneath the eucalyptus grove nearby while removing broom

No poison oak—just epic views and bonus sunset magic.

Yes, eucalyptus litter tends to acidify the soil, but that does not mean nothing grows there. Let’s document the native plants already present in this habitat. This information could become very useful for future restoration planning.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Please let us know if you plan to join and roughly when. You can also join our WhatsApp group to receive updates.

Join the monthly joint workparty with the Weed Warriors from Friends of Five Creeks. Meet at the end of Regency Court (GPS 1590 Regency Court, El Cerrito)

We will tackle a dense patch of broom that was previously cut and is now trying to grow back. To make it more fun, we are thinking of working together in a line moving uphill, almost like a coordinated Roman army against the broom invasion. For those who prefer working more independently, there will also be nearby broom patches to tackle on your own.

No prior experience is needed — tools and guidance are provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants, along with sturdy shoes. We will provide tools. If possible, please bring your own gloves.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Friday – 6pm–7pm: Brew Workshop + Optional Potluck After
Private home (message us for the address)

One of our side mottos is: “Let’s take care of our biomes and microbiomes.”

That is why we always end our work parties with a home made kombucha toast. Now the secret of its making is about to be revealed…

Come learn the brewing process, help prepare next week’s batch, and leave with a free SCOBY starter culture. Just bring a container. Everyone is welcome, and you are invited to stay afterward for a relaxed potluck and good company.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – 4pm–7pm: Work Party
End of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

We’ll return to the end of King Drive and continue experimenting with our more flexible format: come and leave whenever you like, and stay as long as you want to better fit everyone’s schedule.

Please let us know if you plan to join and roughly when. You can also join our WhatsApp group to receive updates.

Activities will include:

• Removing broom and dragging it near the trail for City pickup

• Light hand-weeding of thistles in a meadow with strong restoration potential

• Exploring habitat beneath the eucalyptus grove nearby while removing broom

No poison oak—just epic views and bonus sunset magic.

Yes, eucalyptus litter tends to acidify the soil, but that does not mean nothing grows there. Let’s document the native plants already present in this habitat. This information could become very useful for future restoration planning.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Tuesday – 7pm: Environmental Quality Committee (EQC)
City Hall – 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito

Friends of the Hillside will be presenting the work we have been doing so far. A great opportunity to get an eagle-eye view of the meticulous stewardship work we carry out, work party after work party. Link to our presentation

Attending the EQC is also a great way to better understand local politics and community decision-making. Some of you may even consider getting involved—several city committees are currently recruiting new members, including the EQC and the Urban Forest Committee.

The cities of El Cerrito the Albany were awarded a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to implement wildfire resilience demonstration projects to reduce wildfire hazards, steward natural areas, and reuse wood.  The City of El Cerrito plans to use the $510,000 to remove hazardous eucalyptus and invasives trees in the Hillside Natural Area (Quarry Hill) followed by habitat restoration.  As part of the grant, the cities are collaborating to host two milling demonstrations and two community workdays. ‍ ‍

The public from both cities are invited to all 4 events and the first session “Talk, Walk, and Volunteering” will be held on Saturday, April 11th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 pm at the Albany Hill Taft Street turnaround.  Participants will learn about fire resilient habitats and have the opportunity to do some hands-on work.  All ages are welcome.  Question can be addressed to Stephen Prée in the City’s Operations + Environmental Services Division at spree@ci.el-cerrito.ca or (510) 559-7685.‍

Goals

• Learn about the native and invasive plants in the grasslands on the crest of Albany Hill and how they affect fire.

• Learn how Albany is mitigating fire hazards on Albany Hill and plans for managing Eucalyptus and for habitat restoration.

• Pull some invasive plants!

For Friends of the Hillside, this is a valuable opportunity to learn from Albany’s dedicated steward, Margot Cunningham, and to deepen our understanding of our neighboring landscape. More info

Meet up: End of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

We’ll return to the end of King Drive and try a new, more flexible format: come and leave whenever you like, and stay as long as you want to better fit everyone’s schedule. Please let us know if you plan to join and roughly when. You can also join our whatsapp group to get updates.

Activities will include removing broom or light hand weeding in a meadow with great restoration potential.

This work party begins with a short walk to the site. Along the way, we often identify plants, notice wildlife, and observe how the landscape is responding to past efforts. No prior experience is needed — tools and guidance are provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants, along with sturdy shoes. We will provide tools. If possible, please bring your own gloves.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

South entrance of Regency (GPS: 1531 Regency Court, El Cerrito)
“Guerrilla” workparty (expect lots of poison oak)
While updating the native plant list in the HNA, we discovered a beautiful plant community near Hidden Valley (parallel to Kent Drive): sword ferns, goldback fern, gooseberries, oceanspray, monkeyflowers, yerba buena, beeplant, coffeeberry, American yellowrocket, woodland strawberries, creeping snowberry, blue elderberry, hedgenettle, pink honeysuckle… and, of course, plenty of poison oak.
Unfortunately, there is also a large patch of crofton weed starting to spread. To prevent further invasion, we need to act now. We’re looking for brave weed warriors willing to take it on. Happy to share tips to avoid getting a rash after.

Below is a picture of Ageratina adenophora (synonym Eupatorium adenophorum), commonly known as Crofton weed or Mexican Devil. It is a fast-spreading perennial herb native to Central America. It has become a highly invasive species in many parts of the world, including California, where it thrives in disturbed areas, roadsides, and open hillsides. The plant produces clusters of small, fluffy white flowers and spreads both by seeds and vegetative growth, allowing it to form dense stands that outcompete native vegetation.

Crofton weed is of particular concern in restoration areas because it reduces biodiversity, alters soil conditions, and can interfere with natural plant succession. Effective management typically involves early detection, repeated removal before seed set, and long-term monitoring to prevent reestablishment. 

Meet up: End of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

We’ll return to the end of King Drive and try a new, more flexible format: come and leave whenever you like, and stay as long as you want to better fit everyone’s schedule. Please let us know if you plan to join and roughly when. You can also join our whatsapp group to get updates.

Activities will include removing broom or light hand weeding in a meadow with great restoration potential.

This work party begins with a short walk to the site. Along the way, we often identify plants, notice wildlife, and observe how the landscape is responding to past efforts. No prior experience is needed — tools and guidance are provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants, along with sturdy shoes. We will provide tools. If possible, please bring your own gloves.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Below, picture of Dot-seeded plantain (Plantago erecta), a small, native annual wildflower commonly found in California grasslands. It starts as a low rosette and sends up slender flowering spikes in spring, with tiny greenish flowers that later form distinctive dotted seeds—giving the plant its name. Though modest in appearance, it plays an important ecological role: it is a key host plant for the endangered Bay checkerspot butterfly. Its presence is often a sign of relatively intact native grassland habitat, making it a valuable species in restoration areas like the Hillside.

Motorcycle Hill Broom & Invasive Plant Removal (Snowden Ave Entrance to Motorcycle Hill See Map)
Help restore native plant communities in this beautiful, lesser-known site.

Join us in removing invasive broom using weed wrenches and making space for native species to thrive.

Stephen Pree, the city arborist will lead the efforts with the help of some of our regular volunteers.

Meet at the end of King Court (GPS: 1203 King court, El Cerrito)

We aim to finish clearing the broom from the patch we’ve been working on over the past two sessions.

We will also do some hand weeding around the native plants flagged last week to protect them from mowing—narrowleaf mule’s ears, gum plants, lupines, and others. No poison oak in this area.

Depending on time and volunteer turnout, we may wrap up with some hand mowing at the Golden Triangle—one of the most diverse and dense native grassland areas in the HNA.

P.S. If possible, please let us know in advance if you plan to join—even last minute.Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Come prepared with sturdy shoes, long socks over pants (for tick protection), long sleeves, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. 

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Below is a photo of narrowleaf mule’s ears that have not flowered yet. At this stage, they can easily be mistaken from a distance for plantain or soaproot.

Narrowleaf mule’s ears are slow-growing, foundational perennials that take several years to establish. They are relatively resilient and would not be significantly harmed by mowing.

Tuesday (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
End of Regency Court (GPS: 1590 Regency, El Cerrito)
Armed with our weed wrenches, we’ll tackle a patch of broom together—moving up the hill as a tight, coordinated line. It should be a fun and satisfying effort.

There are also smaller broom plants to remove beneath the oaks.

Saturday (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Meet-up: Entrance of Regency Court (GPS: 1531 Regency Court, El Cerrito)
Weed Walk
We’ll follow deer trails through the woodland and remove young broom (no weed wrenches usually needed).
Be prepared for poison oak—and a quick refresher on ferns.

P.S. If possible, please let us know in advance if you plan to join—even last minute.Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Come prepared with sturdy shoes, long socks over pants (for tick protection), long sleeves, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. 

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

Below is a list of the ferns identified in the HNA.

Wednesday (5:00 – 7:00 PM)
Meet-up: Entrance of Regency Court (GPS: 1531 Regency Court, El Cerrito)
No poison oak
We’ll take a 10-minute walk to the upper middle meadow.
Focus: Vetch and other invasive plants currently overtaking miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and reducing its presence compared to previous years.

Tuesday (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
End of Regency Court (GPS: 1590 Regency, El Cerrito)
With Friends of Five Creeks Weed Warriors
We will continue working from the north end of Regency Court: removing small broom and weeding around wildflowers (like summer lupines, Lupinus formosus). The area has no steep slopes and minimal poison oak.

Saturday (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM Drop in anytime)
End of Snowdon (GPS: 6920 Snowdon Avenue, El Cerrito)
Berkeley Project: We will be joined by 50 UC students continuing their ongoing broom removal efforts (now in their third year, twice annually). Feel free to participate, stop by, or simply come say hello and discover this often-overlooked area that we like to call the hidden rose valley because there are lots of Rosa Californica.

P.S. If possible, please let us know in advance if you plan to join—even last minute.Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Come prepared with sturdy shoes, long socks over pants (for tick protection), long sleeves, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. 

Wednesday (5:00 – 7:00 PM)
End of Regency Court (GPS: 1590 Regency, El Cerrito)

A 10-minute walk to the upper middle meadow, with plant identification along the way and a chance to spot the tiny dot-seed plantain (see photo below).
We will focus on vetch and other invasive plants, which is currently overtaking miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and reducing its presence compared to previous years.

P.S. If possible, please let us know in advance if you plan to join—even last minute.Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Come prepared with sturdy shoes, long socks over pants (for tick protection), long sleeves, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. 

Tuesday (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
End of Regency Court (GPS: 1590 Regency, El Cerrito)
With Friends of Five Creeks Weed Warriors
We will continue working from the north end of Regency Court: removing small broom and weeding around wildflowers (like summer lupines, Lupinus formosus). The area has no steep slopes and minimal poison oak.

Easter Calendula Hunt - Sunday, April 5, 2026 - 10am-12am - Hillside Natural Area, El Cerrito - King Ct entrance (Enter through the King Ct entrance, follow the trail, and meet us at the top of the quarry)

Kids of all ages are welcome. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you like.

Search, spot, and pull — turn an Easter hunt into real restoration.

Help us remove invasive plants while learning about native species.

The Field Marigold, also known as Wild Calendula (Calendula arvensis) is a smaller, wild relative of the more commonly used Calendula officinalis and shares many of the same properties, though in lower concentrations.

Wild calendula can spread aggressively and crowd out nearby native plants. While our goal isn’t eradication, this gathering will help limit its spread by collecting flowers before they set seed. Along the way, we’ll explore its traditional uses in folk medicine—and you’re welcome to take the flowers home and give them a second life.

Come prepared with closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (it’s tick season), plus a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Location and scope of work to be determined - Contact us for more details: FriendsOfTheHillside@gmail.com

Join us for our biweekly work parties in the Hillside Natural Area in El Cerrito. Together, we care for public land with a focus on fire resilience, biodiversity, and long-term ecological restoration.

Our work includes removing invasive species such as French broom, reducing excess thatch, supporting native grasslands, and stewarding the oak woodland ecosystem. We monitor native plants, track seasonal changes, and help create conditions where resilient California native species can thrive.

Some work party begins with a short walk to the site. Along the way, we often identify plants, notice wildlife, and observe how the landscape is responding to past efforts. No prior experience is needed — tools and guidance are provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants, along with sturdy shoes. We will provide tools. If possible, please bring your own gloves.

All are welcome. Birders, plant enthusiasts, kids and curious neighbors are invited to join. You can come to work, to learn, or simply to enjoy being outside in community.

By volunteering, you help strengthen both the land and the human connections that sustain it.

Please also print and sign the Release for City Volunteer Program

For the coming week, we will hold our regular work parties, with updated hours from 5:00–7:00 pm to enjoy cooler temperatures, a pleasant evening atmosphere, and to make it easier for those coming after work.

Sunday – Hike Work Party
A light hiking work party removing invasive plants along the way. We will alternate between early weed management of crofton weed (which rebounded after winter rains and recent heat), removing scattered French broom, or tackling larger broom removal in the middle meadow depending on turnout and interest.
Meet at the start of Regency Court (1531 Regency Court).

Below is a photo of crofton weed, a particularly aggressive invasive species.

Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) is considered a particularly problematic invasive for several reasons:

• Fast spread: It produces large quantities of wind-dispersed seeds, allowing it to colonize new areas quickly.

• Dense stands: It forms thick monocultures that outcompete native plants for light, water, and nutrients.

• Allelopathy: It releases chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of other species, giving it an additional advantage.

• Lack of predators: In California, it has few natural enemies, so nothing keeps it in check.

• Ecosystem impact: It reduces biodiversity, alters habitat structure, and can degrade areas that support native wildlife.

• Toxicity: It is toxic to livestock and can affect soil health over time.

Because of these traits, even small infestations can expand rapidly if not managed early.

For the coming week, we will hold our regular work parties, with updated hours from 5:00–7:00 pm to enjoy cooler temperatures, a pleasant evening atmosphere, and to make it easier for those coming after work.

Wednesday – Jim’s Meadow
Meet at the entrance on the path between 7708 and 7704 Potrero.
Tasks to choose from: plant ID, light weeding, and optimizing brush piles to improve efficiency for the Fire Department.

As you may have seen in the City Manager’s update, it is now official: the Fire Department plans to burn the piles created by volunteers from accumulated French broom and dead coyote brush on the week of April 13th.

Below is a photo of Chilean trefoil (Acmispon wrangelianus) that we discovered during our last weeding session. Who knows what we’ll come across next time?

Join us for a Climate Fresk, a collaborative, science-based workshop that explores the causes and consequences of climate change using key findings from the IPCC in an interactive card format.

Free to attend, but space is limited. Send us an email at friendsofthehillside@gmail.com to register.

More info about Climate Fresk

Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm.

We will meet at the end of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

Following the great success of our recent event with the California Native Plant Society — which brought more than 20 people from across the Bay Area, many discovering El Cerrito’s hidden gem, the Hillside, for the first time — we’d love to build on that momentum. The field marigold seems determined to return, and so are we. This work party will involve careful, attentive removal — somewhere between meditation and community gathering. The biomass must be bagged, as the plant continues to produce viable seeds even after it is pulled. For those curious about experimenting with this plant at home, I’m happy to share some folk usage stories.

There is also a healthy patch of French broom available for anyone seeking more vigorous work.

Children, birders, insect enthusiasts, and plant lovers are very welcome to join just for observation and exploration — this is extremely valuable for us to better understand the ecosystem.

Please come prepared: wear long pants and long sleeves, closed-toe shoes with good grip, a hat, and sun protection. Tools and gloves are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

Sunday from 3pm to 5pm.

We will meet at the end of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

Following the great success of our recent event with the California Native Plant Society — which brought more than 20 people from across the Bay Area, many discovering El Cerrito’s hidden gem, the Hillside, for the first time — we’d love to build on that momentum. The field marigold seems determined to return, and so are we. This work party will involve careful, attentive removal — somewhere between meditation and community gathering. The biomass must be bagged, as the plant continues to produce viable seeds even after it is pulled. For those curious about experimenting with this plant at home, I’m happy to share some folk usage stories.

There is also a healthy patch of French broom available for anyone seeking more vigorous work.

Children, birders, insect enthusiasts, and plant lovers are very welcome to join just for observation and exploration — this is extremely valuable for us to better understand the ecosystem.

Please come prepared: wear long pants and long sleeves, closed-toe shoes with good grip, a hat, and sun protection. Tools and gloves are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm.

We will meet at the end of King Drive (GPS: 1159 King Drive, El Cerrito)

Following the great success of our recent event with the California Native Plant Society — which brought more than 20 people from across the Bay Area, many discovering El Cerrito’s hidden gem, the Hillside, for the first time — we’d love to build on that momentum. The field marigold seems determined to return, and so are we. This work party will involve careful, attentive removal — somewhere between meditation and community gathering. The biomass must be bagged, as the plant continues to produce viable seeds even after it is pulled. For those curious about experimenting with this plant at home, I’m happy to share some folk usage stories.

There is also a healthy patch of French broom available for anyone seeking more vigorous work.

Children, birders, insect enthusiasts, and plant lovers are very welcome to join just for observation and exploration — this is extremely valuable for us to better understand the ecosystem.

Please come prepared: wear long pants and long sleeves, closed-toe shoes with good grip, a hat, and sun protection. Tools and gloves are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.