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California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus) in bloom at Garber Park | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.

Plant of the month

Many plants are flowering in Claremont Canyon. The photo above shows a native California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) spreading over a fallen oak branch in Garber Park. This prickly blackberry is a great groundcover for birds and smaller mammals like woodrats. It can also grow as a larger shrub which provides shelter for animals.

California blackberry is a fast-growing plant that tolerates sunny or shaded areas, and in the summer, juicy berries grow for wildlife and people. Just watch out for the prickly spines along the stems and underneath the leaves! If you're interested in transitioning your garden from non-native to native plants, this is a great starter plant.

Visit Calscape and our Flora and Fauna page for more information.

Cal Fire's new hazard severity maps showing State Responsibility Areas (SRA) of very high hazards as (light pink), Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) of very high hazard as (dark red), high hazard (orange), and moderate hazard (yellow) | Photo courtesy of CalFire and Berkeleyside.

Cal Fire's updates

The release of the 2025 wildfire risk maps this past week has created confusion rather than clarity. It has been 34 years since the 1991 Tunnel Fire tore through our neighborhood and new vegetation has emerged. While there is a greater awareness of the danger today and some work to make us safer has begun, clearly we are not any safer today than we were when the previous maps were released. We need to understand the thinking behind the new maps. In the meantime the insurance industry is not relaxing its concerns.

We must:

Increase our efforts to harden our homes and clear the space around them.
Pay attention to Oakland’s vegetation management program and prevent tree canopies from spreading future wildfires.

Berkeley High students after pulling many invasive broom plants along the Summit House Trail in the Upper Canyon | Photo by Wyllie Clayson.

French broom pull

Our volunteers continue to remove invasive broom from underneath native oaks and bays, which helped uncover native plants like snowberry, woodland strawberry, and California blackberry. Broom tends to overcrowd native plant species, creates a monospecific stand (a forest of a single species), and excludes wildlife. Volunteers pulled over 1,000 broom plants, many measuring over four feet tall. By doing this work, volunteers decrease the density of invasive, hazardous plants and help lower ladder fuels in the park. To identify this plant, look for its bright yellow flower clusters and small leaves of three. Visit Cal-IPC to learn more.

If you're interested in volunteering in a future event by yourself or with your group/company, send us an email or visit our schedule page for exact dates of future events.

Volunteer

All levels of fitness are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools and gloves are provided.

	Garber Park Stewards Saturday, March 15th and April 5th 9a.m.-12p.m. Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplace below the Evergreen Lane entrance (Map). For more information or questions contact Wyllie.

Volunteer at Signpost 29
Saturday, March 22nd
10a.m. - 12p.m.

Join us at Signpost 29 for a day of restoration (1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd.) as we work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom and collect litter. More information Here. Questions? Contact us at info@ClaremontCanyon.org.

Derby Canyon Stewardship
"Take to the Hills" every Tuesday and Saturday at 9a.m.

Help restore native plants and maintain a popular trail! Weed invasive plants, plant seeds, and-if it comes to it-water native seedlings. Located in the small side canyon just north of Claremont Canyon, which is above the Clark Kerr campus. No prior experience needed. Gloves and tools are provided.

Please contact Jim Rosenau or call at (510) 845-0106.

Hiking the Canyon

We would love to hear from our members and others who are out hiking or otherwise observing nature in the canyon. Send us your pictures at info@ClaremontCanyon.org and we will feature one each month.

California poppies (Eschscholzia californica ssp. californica) in Claremont Canyon growing on the Chert Wall in late February | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.

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A group of UC Berkeley Geology students participating in a class session at the Chert Wall across from Signpost 29 | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.

Trails are open

All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. The trails are muddy from all the rain so wear appropriate shoes and be extra careful. For maps and complete information on trails click here. You can also take a guided tour here. Please stay safe and take all items and pet waste out with you.

For the long-term stewardship of Claremont Canyon

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