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.

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.