We have two work parties this week: Tuesday and Sunday (none on Wednesday).
Tuesday, 3rd of November, 10 am to 12 pm
Meet near 966 Sea View Dr, El Cerrito.
We will work on two nearby sites, one of them exceptionally not on the Hillside but still on city property. There is a very bad patch of stinkwort near Moeser that taunts us every time we drive by. Its abundant, highly volatile seeds are just waiting for our car wheels to spread them everywhere, so it needs to be bagged now. If left unmanaged, it will soon invade the HNA and other natural areas.
We will start there as an appetizer. Depending on the time left, we will then drive up to the King Drive entrance (GPS: 1203 King Dr, El Cerrito) and remove all kinds of things, from Pride of Madeira to castor bean, cotoneaster, and even small eucalyptus, depending on your appetite.
Sunday, 8th of November, 10 am to 12 pm
Meet near 7708 Potrero Ave, El Cerrito.
We will settle for several workparties near the Julian Steps, in a mix of oak woodland and Monterey pines near Jim’s meadow. Outcrop rocks there create also their own habitat, with native plants from coyote mint to phacelia, goldenrod, hedge nettle, monkeyflower, and healthy common bracken. The area would benefit from some help reclaiming the space from invasives.
This is the kind of spot where everyone can find their place. Grab a weed wrench and take on broom, big or small, with or without poison oak, or settle into the rock garden for some lighter weeding (easier, just rockier). Bring the whole family: kids put in their 30 minutes of service collecting acorns and scattering native seeds on site, then they’re free to play and explore while the grown-ups chat and pull. Come for an hour or stay for two. Just reply to this email if you plan to join so we can plan ahead.
Picture of a scorpion we uncovered while pulling broom. It seems to be the season for them: we already spotted four on our spooky hike. Maybe it’s just chance, or maybe it’s mating season and the males are out looking for females and exposing themselves more. Does anyone know more about this?
P.S. Don’t worry, they won’t kill you. A sting is usually comparable to a bee sting, though anyone allergic to stings should be careful.