Nearby Nature

Montclair Equals Measure WW

The November 4th election is really important, at least in our beloved East Bay backyard.  Yes there’s a presidential race and all, but Measure WW matters directly – because it improves local parks by extending the “existing East Bay Regional Park District bond with no increase in tax rate.”

You can’t avoid the wilderness/urban interface living in Montclair, and Measure WW helps preserve more non-renewable, open spaces throughout the East Bay.  Check out this interactive map, where you can insert any address and see what projects are planned nearby.

We’re lucky to live in a bucolic outpost, with the parks right up the hill.  As quick inspiration, here are some familiar Redwood and Briones scenes by local artist David Miller.

We’re unabashedly pro-WW at Today in Montclair, aligning with all the arguments for the measure and supporting the range of land acquisition and other benefits for East Bay residents.  After all,  we’re blessed with Redwood, Sibley and Huckleberry nearby, and see them as gems.

What about the folks who say no on WWW in November?  They just received an unintended boost when the ballots forgot to print the Measure WW title and description, which is a shame.  Generally, they believe trails are mismanaged, feel they are overly grazed, and want more places to bike as well.

While some of the Park District’s trail practices or fire suppression activities might raise valid concerns, it seems like we should all agree that establishing conservation funds is a common good.  Plus it costs $10 max per $100k home value, nothing different than rates that are expiring now.

We don’t literally live in the wilderness, and are lucky to have open spaces at all.  When you fly over the hills, there’s a noticeable difference in the Bay Area versus any other major urban area – so let’s try to save the open spaces, however imperfect.

Annual Creek Cleaning, Sat Morning

Get up early tomorrow to clear brush from our nearby Sausal Creek parks, and join a worldwide movement!  The International Coastal Cleanup takes place in all 50 states and 90 countries, to maintain or restore waterways everywhere.

Oakland supports this global event by declaring its very own Creek to Bay Day, with 20-plus projects scattered throughout the city.

Montclarions can help restore the Sausal Creek Watershed (map), which starts in our hills and ends in the Bay.

There are three local parks where you can lend a hand on Saturday.  Even though you may have driven by them many times, take a few minutes and learn more about these places:

Just show up at one of the parks tomorrow, and be ready to work from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon.  In return, you will be given a nice tee shirt along with psychic rewards.

Sibley’s For The Bovines

Because Sibley Volcanic Preserve is just up the road, it’s easy to take human visitors to see the unusual volcanic remains and stellar natural views.

What about celebrating its bovine visitors?  While Bessie and her cousins are grazing there, they make a walk more special any day.

Let’s see how the cows appear as you head up the hills.  Depending on your hiking approach, you may first see the fencing which alerts to the fact that cattle are nearby… but where?

After reading the warning, you enter and close the gate carefully behind you.  There’s no sign of the beasts yet, but you may be lucky enough to run into our iconic California poppies.

Without much fanfare, a single cow or two will finally emerge.  Here’s a snapshot of Bessie, who’s clearly “on watch” and surveying walkers coming up the trail.  Other cows are quietly grazing after you crest the hill.

So while we typically appreciate Sibley’s great natural and Bay Area vistas, we should celebrate the local cows too.  The last time I took a walk, the bovines didn’t greet me – but I expect them to return soon.

Redwood Park Trees May Be Chopped

This summer, the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) announced their plans to thin out trees in Redwood Regional Park, along the East Ridge Trail.

They began their work briefly in July, and cut down trees near the northern entrance.  Then the Park District’s efforts were put on hold, as protests were waged by citizen groups.  What impressed me was the maturity of the protest – whether you agree with it or not.

Despite years of environmental study, there were key questions raised about the sheer quantity of trees to be culled for fire safety or other reasons.  At the time, I only thought about the inconvenience of one of the most popular biking and hiking trails being closed on weekdays.

Apparently many healthy trees were slated for removal, within a 150 foot distance from the trail.  The Hills Conservation Network claimed this was overkill because “fire-safe environments and preservation of natural landscapes are not mutually exclusive.”  They produced this video showing the East Ridge Trail and raising questions along the way.

According to Assistant Fire Chief John Swanson, who works for the Park District, “We are not taking any more trees than are necessary to accomplishing those [fire safety] objectives.”  Montclair’s Rose Nied thought that some trees should be saved from the chopping block, and partially succeeded by walking the trail with Swanson.

The Park District also hosted open meetings, and received comments from hundreds of people afterwards.  Their work was placed on hold while additional assessments were made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The tree removals are scheduled to re-start soon, unless some additional litigation emerges.

Still this was the right way to protest.  There’s no need to camp out in the forest for two years, like the folks who were finally removed from the remaining Berkeley campus tree this week.

Low Altitude Viewing of Montclair

For the first time, I was able to take a Cessna joyride today – which meant low altitude flying over Montclair and the Oakland Hills.  Even during the brown season, Montclair looked great!  Of course you’re able to view the open spaces above and city below, with Montclair’s forest in between.

It’s pretty different than flying commercially to/from Oakland Airport, with its view of the hills and entire Bay Area.  Even at this higher altitude, you can still see the vast open spaces that make our metropolitan area unique.

Anyway, I was just thrilled by buzzing over our hills and checking everything out.  We actually flew over all the East Bay Parks, and they seemed rather empty.  I think that’s because it was just too hot for hiking today, unless you were wandering under the trees.

When you fly at low altitude, you get a better feel (literally) of the hilly terrain in the green belt.  We followed the ridges, and the airplane bounced around from the air currents and uplifts.  Of course, this was also happening in the windy afternoon.

My regrets for not bringing a camera today – but Google Earth is one way to take a virtual joyride instead.