In California’s past thousands of native people in hundreds of different groups lived here (and their descendants still live here). The landscapes were different. Tule elk and pronghorn antelope, for instance, grazed in huge herds on native grasslands and grizzly bears roamed hills and valleys.
Laura Cunningham, an artist and naturalist trained in biology and paleontology, spent years studying and painting forgotten landscapes of California, publishing many of them in a book, A State of Change (Heyday 2010).
The following are reproductions of her art work showing how the area around Albany Hill may have looked hundreds of years ago.
San Francisco Bay November Sunset 400 years ago. Oil on cotton rag paper, 9 x 13 inches, 1998.Clouds Over Bay 200 years ago. Oil on cotton rag paper, 9.5 x 9 inches, 1999.Mid December Sunset at the Golden Gate 300 years ago. Oil on cotton rag paper, 7 x 10 inches, 1999.El Cerrito Grizzlies 500 years ago. Oil on cotton rag paper, 7.5 x 8 inches, 2005.
East Bay Hills Oil on cotton rag paper, 7 x 21 inches, 1998 From the East Bay Hills a thousand years ago, Albany Hill can be seen, as well as the Golden Gate across San Francisco Bay. Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) fly over purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra). Early observers noted how the hills around the Bay lacked trees in most areas, and was a vast open grassy land.
For our work party this month we’ll be meeting at the south end of Santa Clara St in El Cerrito, crossing Cerrito Creek, then walking to the NW side of the hill to pull French broom and plant some natives on Saturday, Feb. 24, 9:30-11:30 am.
Sunday, January 21, 2018, 9am – 12:30 pm. Help Friends of Albany Hill plant dozens of native grasses to help stabilize a slope on Albany Hill. Gloves, tools, snacks provided. Bring water bottles and wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Optional hike up the hill afterwards to see monarch butterflies.
We’ll work in a light rain. If heavy rain, event will happen Sunday, 1/28/18. Teens under 18 and kids need to have a parent or guardian sign a waiver form. Groups of 4 or more please RSVP. For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com.
Morning Bird Walk, Thurs, November 9, 9:00-11:00am. Join bird expert Ralph Pericoli for a walk around the base of Albany Hill. We’ll be looking for birds that have returned for the winter as well as resident species. There’s the possibility of seeing about 20-25 species here. Meet at the Madison St entrance to Albany Hill (where Madison dead-ends at its far north end in Albany). Walk ends at Pierce St entrance next to Cerrito Creek.
monarchs on Albany Hill
Monarchs and More Walk for 50+, Thurs, November 16, 9-11 am. Margot Cunningham, Co-Chair of Friends of Albany Hill introduces you to the standalone hill’s refuge for migrating monarch butterflies and other treasures, plus fascinating human and natural history. Easy walk along the hill’s summit is followed by optional hike downhill to Cerrito Creek and back up (< 1 mile, 340 ft. elevation change). Meet at the top (north end) of Taft Avenue on Albany Hill. Info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com. Co-sponsored by Friends of Five Creeks and Albany Senior Center.
Watch for details on these events happening later this month and in early December:
Evening Planting, Monday, Oct 23, 5:30-6:30 pm. It’s fall planting season. We’ll be planting Albany Hill natives in a meadow near the crest of the hill. Gloves and tools provided. Meet at the far north end of Taft Ave on Albany Hill . Heavy rain cancels; 510-289-5346 to confirm if raining.
For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com
Last Saturday of the Month stewardship morning, Oct 28, 9:30-11:30 am. We’ll be pulling ivy in the oak woodland and scattering Albany Hill native plant seed on previously cleared areas of the woodland. Gloves and tools provided. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes recommended. Meet at the meadow south of Cerrito Creek on the NE side of the hill . We’ll work in a light rain; call 510-289-5346 that morning if unsure.
For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com
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The City of Albany has been implementing long-awaited vegetation management projects on Albany Hill this year. Co-Chair Margot Cunningham, who is working for the city coordinating these projects on the hill, provided at the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting an update on the monarch study that has begun and gave a presentation on oaks and meadows on the east side of the hill. Video here. Scroll to 1:03:39 for the start (ends at 1:25:00).
Help us buy native plants for Albany Hill. We’re using a two-pronged approach to reducing non-native invasive plants, which lower biodiversity and create fire hazards. 1. We’re removing the invasives and 2. expanding native plant populations. We collect seeds from native plants on the hill and have Native Here Nursery propagate them, then buy plants at a discount to plant back on the hill. To help us in our restoration efforts donate here.
There won’t be a Last Saturday of the Month stewardship party this month. Instead we’ll be joining Friends of Albany Parks, Friends of Five Creeks, and the El Cerrito Green Teams for a Cleanup at Creekside Park, Saturday, Sept 23, 9am-1pm. We’ll be picking up trash and weeding along the creek, on the hill, and in areas nearby. Gloves, tools, water, t-shirt, and lunch provided. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes recommended. Meet at El Cerrito’s Creekside Park at the south end of Santa Clara Ave.
For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com
This sign is one of 6 new ones placed on the SW end of Albany Hill. “Right to pass by permission and subject to control of owner.” The sign to the left, put up by the city, was removed.
Did you know the open space on the southwest end of Albany Hill is privately owned and zoned for development? Come to one of our 2 Evening Walks to learn more:
Tues Sept 19 and Tues Sept 26, 5:30-6:30 pm. Some may have noticed new signs on the hill (see photo above). Come learn about open space on the hill, what is private and what is public.Meet at the far north end of Taft Ave on Albany Hill.
Directions: From San Pablo Ave go west on either Marin/Buchanan, Solano, or Washington St. After 4 blocks go right (north) on Cerrito St and follow to T-intersection with Hillside Ave. Go left (southwest) on Hillside, then immediately right on Taft Ave. Follow Taft to the end at the top of Albany Hill.
For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com
large-flowered agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) on Albany Hill
Evening nature and seed collecting walk #1 , Weds, August 23, 5:30-6:30 pm.Learn how we collect native plant seed for propagation at Native Here Nursery. We’ll also look for birds and pick up trash. Gloves and tools provided. Meet in the meadow south of Cerrito Creek on the NE side of the hill. Afterwards get a bite to eat a few blocks east at Off the Grid on Fairmount Ave between San Pablo Ave and Carlson Blvd in El Cerrito.
Directions:
Walk north down path from the end of Madison Ave in Albany, or walk east along path on south side of creek from Pierce Street in Richmond, or ford the creek from El Cerrito’s Creekside Park at the south end of Santa Clara Ave.
Last Saturday of the month stewardship party, August 26, 9:30am-11:30am. Get a workout whilelearning about how invasive plants are stifling biodiversity on the hill and creating fire hazards as we pull ivy and passion vine in the oak woodland. Gloves and tools provided. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes recommended. Meet in the meadow south of Cerrito Creek on the NE side of the hill.
Directions:
Walk north down path from the end of Madison Ave in Albany, or walk east along path on south side of creek from Pierce Street in Richmond, or ford the creek from El Cerrito’s Creekside Park at the south end of Santa Clara Ave.
Evening nature and seed collecting walk #2 , Weds, August 30, 5:30-6:30 pm.Learn how we collect native plant seed for propagation at Native Here Nursery. We’ll also look for birds and pick up trash. Gloves and tools provided. Meet at the far north end of Taft Ave on Albany Hill. Afterwards get a bite to eat a few blocks east at Off the Grid on Fairmount Ave between San Pablo Ave and Carlson Blvd in El Cerrito.
Directions: From San Pablo Ave go west on either Marin/Buchanan, Solano, or Washington St. After 4 blocks go right (north) on Cerrito St and follow to T-intersection with Hillside Ave. Go left (southwest) on Hillside, then immediately right on Taft Ave. Follow Taft to the end at the top of Albany Hill.
Birdwatching at the Albany Mudflats, Saturday, Sept. 2 , with bird expert, Ralph Pericoli. Greet the returning shorebirds & waterfowl. We’ll meet at 12 PM (due to the tides) at the first observation platform at the foot of Buchanan Street. If time permits, we’ll walk up on the plateau as the tide ebbs. The outing will end around 2 PM. Parking can be tight on the weekend so it might be best to park on Buchanan above Pierce St. and walk in.
Evening stroll/nature walk, Weds, July 26, 5:30-6:30 pm.Enjoy the long summer evening as we look for birds and identify plants while we pick up trash and pull some weeds. Gloves and tools provided. Meet in the meadow south of Cerrito Creek on the NE side of the hill. Afterwards get a bite to eat a few blocks east at Off the Grid on Fairmount Ave between San Pablo Ave and Carlson Blvd in El Cerrito.
Directions:
Walk north down path from the end of Madison Ave in Albany, or walk east along path on south side of creek from Pierce Street in Richmond, or ford the creek from El Cerrito’s Creekside Park at the south end of Santa Clara Ave.
For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com
Last Saturday of the month work party, July 29, 9:30am-11:30am. Learn about how invasive plants are stifling biodiversity on the hill and creating fire hazards as we pull ivy and passion vine in the oak woodland and plant a few natives grown from seed collected on Albany Hill. Gloves and tools provided. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes recommended. Meet in the meadow south of Cerrito Creek on the NE side of the hill.
Directions:
Walk north down path from the end of Madison Ave in Albany, or walk east along path on south side of creek from Pierce Street in Richmond, or ford the creek from El Cerrito’s Creekside Park at the south end of Santa Clara Ave.
For more info: friendsalbanyhill@gmail.com
Tending the Ancient Shoreline Hill (TASH) 