For the coming months, our regular workparties will take place on Sundays from 10 AM to 12 PM and Wednesdays from 5 to 7 PM.
We’ll continue to keep you posted each week about where we’ll meet, what we’ll be working on, and what’s happening in the Hillside. Look out for our weekly newsletter, which will be sent on Mondays going forward. Ideally, let us know if you’re planning to join us, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if you want to be removed from this list.
Wednesday 26th, 5–7pm at Snowdon
We'll drag down the remaining piles of broom on site (great workout!). Depending on time, we may try to symbolically reach the top of Woodpecker Slope — and hopefully calculate the slope itself. Anyone have a clinometer? If not, we'll just use an app.
If you're after something lighter, you can help identify and count native plants on site instead. So far we've spotted purple needlegrass, soap roots, baby oaks, a baby buckeye, and one everlasting. We'll also try to harvest soap root seeds still on the stems as part of the restoration plan. Or just come watch the dragonflies — we've seen orange and blue ones but haven't nailed the species yet. We made a cheat sheet if you want to help identify them.
Meet-up location: Near the Snowdon entrance of the Hillside Natural Area
6900 Snowdon Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Sunday 30th, 10am–12pm at Hidden Valley
We'll remove broom under the oaks at Hidden Valley — or "Timber Mountain," as the kids in our volunteer group call it. Yes, pulling out forests of broom really does make you feel like you're in the timber industry.
There's definitely poison oak, so come prepared with long pants and sleeves! We'll have wipes on hand for a superficial clean until you can shower at home.
Meet-up location: South entrance of Regency Court
GPS: 1500–1520 Regency Court, El Cerrito
Sunday 16th, Wednesday 19th, and Sunday 23, we’ll meet at Snowdon, where we’re hoping to finally finish removing the broom from the Woodpecker Slope.
We named this area the Woodpecker Slope because of the wonderful clues we’ve found there. A fallen tree, still very much alive, bears rows of regular holes made by woodpeckers that we can actually see and touch now that they are near the ground. The Hillside is full of these little signs that invite us to imagine the stories unfolding around us: a woodrat highway, revealed by their scats; a coyote den; tracks, nests, and other traces of wildlife. Removing the broom is hard work, but it also gives us the chance to uncover and better understand the fascinating community of plants and animals that call this place home.
Meet-up location:
Near the Snowdon entrance of the Hillside Natural Area
6900 Snowdon Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Tools will be provided. If possible, please bring your own gloves, although we will have extras available.
Please also bring:
Water
Sun protection
Long pants and long sleeves
Socks and sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Poison oak is present in a few areas and will be clearly flagged.
If you have not already done so, please print and sign the City of El Cerrito Release for the City Volunteer Program. Copies will also be available on site.
Note that in the future, our regular work parties will now take place on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 PM and Sundays from 10 AM to 12 PM (not on Saturdays). Stay tuned for details about the scope of work and meeting location.
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