Coyote Hills Watershed Program
Although the recent winter storms have caused a lot of damage in the East Bay Regional Parks, lots of nature education programs and other enjoyable activities are still scheduled.
Before visiting a regional park or participating in a program, be sure to check “things-to-do” at the Park District website, www.ebparks.org, to be sure that your desired program and park access are available. Unless otherwise stated, the programs described in this column are all drop-in, free of charge, and registration is not necessary. Here are some special activities planned in coming days in your Regional Parks:
Appropriately in light of the storms, “Water, Water, Everywhere” is the theme of a program scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont with naturalist Erin Blackwood.
The group will explore the Coyote Hills watershed, discover where everyone’s water comes from, and learn how we are connected to and responsible for our watersheds. Participants will make their own paper watershed, and use a watershed model to find ways to protect our water. The program is for ages seven and older; parent participation is required.
Coyote Hills is located at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle at the Patterson Ranch Road entrance. However, at this writing Patterson Ranch Road is closed to vehicle traffic, though open to pedestrians and bicycles. Vehicle parking is available for a fee at nearby Dumbarton Quarry Campground. For information on the program and park status, call 510-544-3220.
“Fish Tales” is the theme of a program from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5 at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area in Pleasanton with naturalist Gisselle Hernandez. The plan is to discover the diversity of fish that inhabit the park’s water, and learn about the long evolutionary path of fish to the present day. The program is for ages 10 and older. Shadow Cliffs is at 2500 Stanley Boulevard east of downtown Pleasanton. Meet Gisselle at the Lakeside Picnic Area. For information, call the Del Valle Visitor Center at 510-544-3146.
It’s storytime in the Delta from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley with naturalist Miriam Klingler. All ages are welcome; parent participation is required. Meet at the three-dimensional Delta Discovery Experience map; bring a blanket and snack to hear a Delta-themed story. Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call 510-544-3050.
Many waterbirds spend the winter along the East Bay shorelines. You can learn more about them and observe them in action during a birding walk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5 at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez with naturalist Jessica Kauzer. The walk is an easy one-mile stroll on flat, unpaved paths. Meet Jessica in the first parking lot off North Court Street, across the railroad tracks from downtown Martinez. Bring binoculars if you have them; some will be available for loan. For information, call Black Diamond Mines at 510-544-2750.
Naturalist Anthony Fisher will lead one of his birding walks from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Feb. 6 at Briones Regional Park. Meet Anthony at the park’s Bear Creek staging area, which is on Bear Creek Road about five miles east of Camino Pablo/San Pablo Dam Road near Orinda. For information, call 510-544-2233.
Learn all about sheep and the wool they provide during a “Wooly Lambs” program from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Environmental Education Center in Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley with naturalist Jenna Collins. During the program, make your own mini-sheep from wool, to take home. The center is located at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive, accessible from Grizzly Peak Boulevard in Berkeley via Canon Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.
These are just a few of the programs scheduled in the East Bay Regional Parks. For the full list, visit www.ebparks.org/things-to-do.
