Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Wildcat Creek Community: Past and Present

Native Peoples, Plants and Animals

with Jim Hale

Monday, August 3, 2009      7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Wildcat Creek starts in Tilden Park, flowing through Lake Anza and Jewel Lake, down through Wildcat Canyon, through downtown Richmond, and into the bay near the Chevron refinery. People have lived along Wildcat Creek since 3,000 to 4,000 BP (Before Present). By that time, sea level rise had slowed, and the Bay's size had stabilized, allowing broad mudflats and tidal marshes to develop. Along lower Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks, villages began to grow as native peoples discovered the bountiful resources of plants, animals, and sea wildlife along the Bay's edge.

Wildlife biologist Jim Hale combines engaging storytelling with unique slides to educate us about what is known about early peoples and their lives along Wildcat Creek, before and after the arrival of Europeans, as well as the plant and animal communities. Find out how Wildcat Canyon and Grizzly Peak got their names. Jim has taught wildlife biology and wilderness training at San Jose State Univ and at UC Santa Cruz. He has spent almost 40 years hiking the East Bay hills, photographing wildlife and studying Native American sites. He is currently working on a study to document a community of mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains .  

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay            

Co-sponsors:               

• Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
• Oakland Museum of  CA   /   Bay Nature magazine
• Lindsay Wildlife Museum  /   EarthLight community

Donation: $5  (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland. Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east ½ mile. Parking available in lot ½ block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658  www.close-to-home.org

On Sept 14, 2009, Dr. Ron Olowin(astronomer at St. Mary’s College) will give a presentation on Are We Drinking Comet Water?