Trekker News December 2022
Alina Constantinescu took this photo on a previous Evening Ramble, an example of the views to be beheld from the Hillside.
Attend our Sunset Ramble in the Hillside Area and Motorcycle Hill. Back by popular demand, an evening hike through the Hillside Natural Area and nearby Motorcycle Hill. The hike is about 3.7 miles and 800 feet elevation gain and is expected to take 2.5 hours.
We will walk at a moderate pace, with breaks as needed to enjoy the views and the conversation. The hike leader is Alina Constantinescu. Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area on Schmidt Lane near the Recycling Center on Sunday, January 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. In the event of rain the hike will be rescheduled to Sunday, January 22, 2022.
The Old School House Trail in Kensington, part of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, has wild land on one side, homes on the other. Neighbors help maintain a fire safe interface. Photo by Dave Weinstein
Enjoy our fun and educational Fire Prevention Hike. Enjoy a beautiful hike above scenic Wildcat Canyon while learning about fire prevention measures. Teo Carlone, an experienced fire prevention specialist, will highlight homes along the way that have been cleared correctly to minimize loss due to fire. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Meet in front of 109 Kensington Road, in Kensington, Saturday January 14, at 2 p.m. to 4:00. In the event of rain the hike will be rescheduled to January 28, same time.
Volunteers removed broom from alongside a gorgeous creek during our December work party. This area had been previously inaccessible, blocked by immense stands of the weed. Photo by Dave Weinstein
Broom pulling continues in the Hillside in January and February. Join El Cerrito’s Green Teams and El Cerrito Trail Trekkers to remove noxious French broom, which chokes out native plants and fuels wildfires.
We continue to work in the Madera Open Space, where the progress we have made over the past few years is impressive. Whole areas that had been rendered inaccessible by forests of this weed are now open, making it easy to access the creek, and allowing for the growth of otherwise doomed native flora.
The ground will be soft so it will be easy to pull plants out. We will supply tools, gloves and tarps. Bring water and wear sunscreen. No experience necessary! All ages welcome (under 18 with guardian).
We have two such events planned: Saturday January 21, 2023 and Sunday February 12.
10 a.m. – noon. Meet at north end of Regency Court. Rsvp or simply show up: Davidsweinstein@yahoo.com.
Judy Irving, filmmaker, will be our speaker at the annual meeting. Courtesy of Judy Irving
Don’t miss the Trail Trekkers annual meeting. This will be our first live, in-person annual meeting since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and it will be a special one. Besides the chance for members to vote for officers – and to nominate potential additions to the board – we will feature a very special speaker on the afternoon of Saturday January 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Garden Room of the city’s Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane.
The business meeting starts at 4, followed by the presentation 15 to 20 minutes later. Are you interested in joining the board or in learning more about leadership roles with Trekkers? Contact our president at davidsweinstein@yahoo.com.
Join us to hear celebrated San Francisco filmmaker Judy Irving discuss her work and what inspires her, and show brief clips from her films focusing on the urban/wildlife interface.
Judy Irving is a Sundance-and-Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker whose theatrical credits include The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, a feature documentary about the relationship between a homeless street musician and a flock of wild parrots in San Francisco, and Pelican Dreams, about California brown pelicans and the people who know them best.
Her many other film projects, including local gems like Treasures of the Greenbelt and Secrets of the Bay, are detailed on her nonprofit Pelican Media website. In 2015 Judy was invited to become a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Her upcoming feature release, Cold Refuge, tells the story of people facing adversity who find meaning and community through Bay swimming.
Buy our El Cerrito Trail Map. The second edition of this map is available, Jenny K , and Pegasus books on Solano Avenue. Or you can buy a map from us or get one “free” by joining Trail Trekkers. Send $6 for a map to our treasurer, Pam Austin, 834 Kearny St., EC, 94530
Have you renewed your membership? It only costs $20 annually to belong to Trekkers, and $500 buys a life membership. Please renew now or join by going to our website and downloading the membership form.
And consider an additional donation as well. Funds go for trail work, to install trail signs, for a fund to purchase additional open space, as well as incidental expenses. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Trekkers thanks new and renewing members and donors:
Dahlia Armon
Walter Barnes
Lisa Caronna-Perley
Tom Gehling
Bridget Glidden
Kim Luong
Ann Manheimer
Lori Staley
El Cerrito Trail Trekkers board of directors:
Dave Weinstein, president, davidsweinstein@yahoo.com
Wade Huntley, vice president
Barbara Lass, secretary barbara.lass@att.net
Pam Austin, treasurer, paustin26@yahoo.com
Clare Sheridan, member at large, claresher@gmail.com
Melissa Hobbs, member at large, melma39@yahoo.com
