April 2026 Watershed News

Rainbow trout aren't the only highlight of our urban creek. Did you know we have a small population of Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata)? The only native freshwater turtle in California, these reptiles are listed as a state Species of Special Concern. This turtle was spotted soaking up some sun at the El Centro Trailhead.

Photo by Mark Rauzon

Friends of Sausal Creek is a volunteer-based, community organization. We appreciate your support of our education, monitoring, and restoration programs in the

Sausal Creek Watershed. 

Upcoming Events

Earth Day

Multiple Dates and Watershed Sites

Volunteer THIS WEEKEND with Friends of Sausal Creek and partners to ensure the health and vitality of Sausal Creek and Oakland parks for future generations. We’re excited to partner with Pacific Pipe climbing gym this year for our Dimond Park & Canyon workday on April 18. After volunteering, head over for a free afternoon of climbing to celebrate.

We have a variety of service opportunities for all skill levels that span locations across the watershed:

Saturday, April 18

• Dimond Park/Canyon - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Wood Park - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Beaconsfield Canyon - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Monterey Redwoods - 9 - 11 a.m.
• Austin Square - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Jingletown Native Plant Garden - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Fern Ravine - 1 - 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 19

• Bridgeview Trailhead - Sunday, April 19, 9 - 11 a.m.

From the Archives

Dimond Canyon Riparian Site

To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’ll be dipping into the archives throughout the year, taking a look back at moments, stories, and snapshots from along the way. This piece comes from the April/May 2005 edition of the FOSC newsletter, written by FOSC founder and Dimond Park site leader Michael Thilgen. 

The riparian corridor in Dimond Canyon has seen many seasons of steady care from FOSC and its volunteers since this article. Across this quarter mile stretch, current efforts are focused on strengthening the understory and expanding connected, defensible zones filled with Pacific rush, bee plant, pink flowering currant, columbine, mugwort, horsetail, and other herbs and shrubs. At the same time, we are closely monitoring canopy health and responding thoughtfully to the challenges that come with stewarding a living system. This work of restoration adapts over time; and in many ways, remains the same (but as of yet, no bears).

Volunteer Spotlight

Caitlin Boise

Meet Caitlin Boise, a regular volunteer at Fern Ravine and a familiar and valued part of the watershed community. By day, she works as an aquatic ecologist and has joined the Spring Stream Team, our paid internship for Oakland high school students, as a guest speaker, sharing her experience in the field. You may have even spotted her in the recent CBS News Bay Area segment recognizing Dr. Robert Leidy and Tim Vendlinski for their leadership at Fern Ravine.

Nature Pause

I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

Whether you’re a professional, amateur, or beginner naturalist, learning about the landscape around us can feel overwhelming at times—there is simply so much to learn! It can be comforting to remember that we will barely scratch the surface in our lifetimes. Yet the practice of paying close attention to the plants, animals (us included!), fungi, and elements around us, is rewarding in and of itself. Here’s an exercise that any naturalist can do to get to know their surroundings a bit better. 

Nature Journaling Activity

Materials:

• Notebook or paper
• Pen or pencil
• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers (optional)

Hike/walk 10 minutes to a quiet place where you can sit alone. As you walk, take a minute or two to focus on each of your senses (Can you hear birds singing? What does it smell like? What's the light like and how is it changing as you walk?). 

As you walk, find one small item to take with you. This object might be a leaf, a stone, a flower, etc - it should fit in your hand.

Once you sit down, take out your journal and set a timer for 5 minutes to sketch out a drawing of the item. After you finish the sketch, write out your reflections to the following prompts:

1. "I notice..." (2 minutes)

Write things you notice about the color, texture, weight, size, etc. of the object.

2. "I wonder..." (2 minutes)

Write any questions that come up from those observations. How did that object form or adapt to be that way?

3. "It reminds me of..." (2 minutes)

Are there other things in your life that the object makes you think of? Are there similarities to other plants or objects in the natural world?

Join us for one of our many upcoming work days, or support this work with a gift. Your contribution helps support habitat restoration, environmental education, and community connection in the Sausal Creek Watershed.

Friends of Sausal Creek is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to restore, maintain, and protect the Sausal Creek Watershed.

We educate future generations, involve the community in local environmental stewardship, and collaborate with agencies and other nonprofits to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem.

How to get involved:

FOSC Website

Join our Google Group

Event Calendar

Donate

Photo credits:

Mark Rauzon, Caitlin Boise, Kate Berlin

Connect with us:

info@sausalcreek.org