Bay Nature Hike: Fire Mitigation at Tilden

Join Bay Nature and Civicorps for a hike in Tilden Regional Park to learn about fire mitigation and to meet with the teams working to keep the East Bay safe from fire on Sunday, August 24 from 9am - 11:30am. Meet the Civicorps Forestry Corps members and EBRPD Acting Fire Chief Khare Helae and learn about their work removing ladder and surface fuels, thinning small trees, and creating burn piles. Tilden Regional Park is a priority location to reduce fire hazards, as it is located in a high fire severity Wildland Urban Interface adjacent to the communities of Oakland, Berkeley, Orinda, and El Sobrante.  Fuel reduction is a sustainable forest management practice that is vital to preventing and lessening the impact of wildfire in areas with high fire severity. Thanks to a multi-year grant from the California Conservation Corps’ Forestry Corps initiative, Civicorps partners with the Fire Department at East Bay Regional Park District to deliver significant fuels management services to our community in the East Bay. This event is free for Bay Nature members and is sponsored by Cicivorps.

Meet Your Hike Leaders:

Tessa Nicholas is the Executive Director of Civicorps.

Steven Addison is the Conservation Program Manager of Civicorps.

Chief Khari Helae is EBRPD’s Acting Fire Chief.

Meet up location: Nimitz Way Trail at Inspiration Point, off Wildcat Canyon Road in Tilden Regional Park. Google Maps Link.  We will meet in the small clearing across from the restrooms, inside the gate.

Hike length: Approximately 1 mile round trip.

Hike difficulty: The Trail is a relatively flat paved road with gravel shoulders.

Parking: Inspiration Point off Wildcat Canyon Road. Google Maps Link.

Weather Note: Please be prepared for warm temperatures, sun exposure, and summery conditions. Bring 1-2 liters of water and sun protection and a wide-brimmed hat.

Access to restrooms and water: Inspiration Point has vault toilets and no running water.  The closest location with flushing toilets and drinking water is the Botanic Garden restrooms at the intersection of South Park Drive and Wildcat Canyon Road (you will drive past this on the way in).

Other notes: Bring 1-2 liters of water, snacks, layers, and sun protection. Comfortable, close-toed walking shoes are recommended. No dogs are allowed on Bay Nature hikes. All minors must be accompanied by a guardian for the duration of this event. Bring hiking poles, cameras, and binoculars if preferred. Please note you may encounter ticks, poison oak, and other hazards along the way.