Strawberry Creek Habitat Restoration - Community Project
Overview
The Strawberry Creek Habitat Restoration project on the lower Berkeley fire trail began in 2025, with roots in community care for the creek and fire trail habitat for decades (and even generations) prior. A community-based volunteer initiative, the project brings together people across all ages to learn, share knowledge, and take part in restoration and beautification of the ecosystem surrounding Strawberry Creek.
Project Goals
Protect and nurture native plant and wildlife habitat on the fire trails, especially along the banks of Strawberry Creek, reducing erosion caused by trail use.
Beautify the environs of the fire trail with native plant and pollinator gardens.
Increase health and safety for local residents by removing noxious, aggressive, fire-fuel producing invasive species like Poison Hemlock, English & Algerial Ivy, Euphorbia, and a wide variety of invasive Thistles.
Educate and inform trail users, Panoramic Hill residents, neighbors, and local students about native and invasive plants, and how we can play a role in the restoration of ecosystem balance and health.
Build a diverse community around ecosystem care, stewardship, and connection!
Partners
Urban Habitat Project
SoulLight Ecotherapy
UC Berkeley (various departments and student groups)
Others coming soon!
Past & Current Volunteer Day Tasks:
Removing aggressive invasive species like Thistle and Poison Hemlock.
Planting Sagebrush, Thimbleberry, California Buckwheat, California Sagebrush Yarrow, Sticky Monkeyflower, Vervain, California Bee plant, California Buckeye, Elderberry, and other native plants and shrubs (see below for photos!)
Planting native willow cuttings into the creekbanks to increase soil retention.
Weeding & watering the native plant garden.
Creating and Maintaining Educational Signage.
Learning about native plants and the habitat they help create.