A large death cap mushroom identified by its shiny golden cap, a skirtlike partial veil underneath the cap, and after clearing the leaf litter a sac-like white volva on the base | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
Mushrooms in Claremont Canyon
Autumn is a great time to see mushrooms growing in the Canyon. Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) (deadly poisonous), like the one above were identified along the shaded and sloped areas of Garber Park. They can be easy to spot due to their shiny caps which can appear to have a golden hue with a tint of green, but the color can vary and even include white forms that resemble edible mushrooms. At Garber Park's Bio-blitz, attendees identified many death caps growing in the park. Take caution on your walks, especially if you are walking your dog, and please keep them on a leash to stop them from ingesting any of these toxic mushrooms. If you spot any mushrooms, send us a photo so that we may share it with our community.
Berkeley's Assistant Fire Chief Colin Arnold (fourth from left) with our Conservancy's board members and Garber Park Steward's Founder Shelagh Brodersen (second from right) at our 2025 Annual Meeting | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
Thank you for joining us
Around 70 community residents joined us at our 23rd annual meeting in November. We announced that our Safer Canyon Initiative successfully achieved our initial goal of raising $100,000 to remove hazardous eucalyptus trees from Garber Park. Plans are now being made to do the work and to replace them with appropriate vegetation as necessary. Our featured speaker Fire Chief Colin Arnold of the Berkley Fire Department explained how homeowners could reduce wildfire risks to their homes by screening gutters and vents, and removing vegetation and wooden fences from within five feet of their buildings.
Berkeley Project Day volunteers in awe at the large broom pile they pulled during their workday in the upper part of Claremont Canyon | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
Thanks to those who have already donated
This is the time of year when we ask our members and friends to renew their membership and make donations to the Conservancy. All contributions large and small are important, much appreciated, and tax deductible. Look for a reminder in your mail. Wishing you all the best this holiday season and in the New Year!
A mushroom enthusiast and Bio-blitz attendee holding a large flaviporus mushroom in Garber Park's Oak Grove. This mushroom can be found growing on or near oaks and is characterized by its yellow porous underside | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
Bio-blitz in Garber Park - a buy nothing day
Thanks to CNPS and the Garber Park Stewards for hosting a wonderful Bio-Blitz event in late November. Many nature enthusiasts visited the park and partook in a fun species-identification event. Volunteers, neighbors, community members, and nature experts enjoyed the outdoors, while observing and identifying many plants, birds, and fungi! Thanks to the experts who attended and shared their knowledge, and thanks to all attendees for participating. Interested in Garber Park's spring Bio-Blitz? Email the stewards to be added to the list at gpstewards@gmail.com. Do you have any findings from Garber Park? Share them in this iNaturalist group.
If you're an expert in the field, would like to participate in a future bioblitz, and share your knowledge, send an email atgpstewards@gmail.com.
All levels of fitness are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools, gloves, and snacks will be provided.
Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplacebelow the Evergreen Lane entrance (Map). For more informationor questionscontactWyllie.
Join us in the upper canyon as we work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom, and collect litter. We meet at Signpost 29, 1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd. More information Here. Questions? Contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org.
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.
Last month, Garber Park welcomed students from Berkeley High Green Team. Volunteers helped cut down a fallen tree to uncover a main trail and also worked to clean up the Alvarado entrance to the park from eucalyptus debris. If you're part of a group and would like to volunteer in the Canyon, visit our Schedule page to volunteer in the upcoming year! | Photo by Ruby J. Soto Cardona.
Share this newsletter with your friends: Do you have a friend who would appreciate receiving our monthly email newsletter? You can easily add new recipients to our mailing list by going here.
Large eucalyptus trees on Alvarado Road with a ridge line of eucalyptus on EBMUD in the distance. If you missed our annual meeting this year, you can view the presentation: Effective Measures for Ember Resilience that Berkeley's Assistant Fire Chief Colin Arnold shared at our event to learn about how to help make our homes more fire safe | Photo by Marilyn Goldhaber.
Trails are open
All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. 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.
