In brief: Berkeley’s Tilden Fungus fair happening Jan. 20-21

BERKELEY

Celebrate the fruits of winter, view hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at the East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) two-day Tilden Fungus Fair from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20-21 in the Berkeley hills’ Tilden Nature Area.

For more information, visit ebparks.org/events/tilden-fungus-fair online.

EAST BAY

Beware of toxic mushrooms in parks during rainy season

With the return of winter rains, park visitors may have noticed mushrooms popping up in East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) properties. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of the district’s parklands and may look beautiful but sometimes contain dangerous toxins.

The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay parks during the rainy season.

Both species contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately.

Both mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present. The death cap is a medium to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem and a large white sac at the base of the stem.

The western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that can disappear with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring.

Park district officials urge the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks. Collecting any mushrooms in the district is not allowed. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.

While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also occur in the Bay Area. For more details online, visit ebparks.org/safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms.

— EBRPD

ALBANY

Council reorganizes, picks 2024’s new mayor, vice mayor

The Albany City Council reorganized itself at its regular meeting Dec. 18, naming John Anthony Miki and Robin D. López the city’s respective mayor and vice mayor until December 2024. For details online, visit albanyca.org/Home/Components/News/News/12292/15.

— city of Albany

EL CERRITO

Help remove French broom from Hillside Natural Area

Help the El Cerrito Trail Trekkers and El Cerrito Green Teams on Jan. 20 to remove noxious French broom, which chokes out native plants and fuels wildfires, from the city’s Hillside Natural Area. The work party will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., but volunteers can leave at any time.

Organizers will supply tools, gloves and tarps. Small plants can be removed by hand. It’s a great task for kids. Bring water and wear sunscreen. No experience is necessary. Meet at the stairs to the Madera Open Space near 1540 Madera Circle. For more information, email Davidsweinstein@yahoo.com.

— city of El Cerrito

BERKELEY

Know which holiday trees can be composted, which can’t

If you bought a cut tree or had other ideas for your holiday tree experience, know which trees can be composted and which go into the trash and landfills. If you had a cut tree, know that the city only composts the tree itself. Trees that have been “flocked” — covered with chemicals mimicking snow — cannot be composted.

When disposing of a compostable tree, you’ll have to remove all lights, decorations, tinsel, plastic bags and plastic tree stands. You’ll also have to cut the tree to fit in your green compost cart with the lid closed. If you don’t have the tools to cut your tree, free tool rental is available through the Berkeley Tool Lending Library at 1901 Russell St.

Trees left on curbs won’t get picked up, as they can damage city side-loader collection trucks. You may prefer dropping off discarded trees at the city of Berkeley’s Transfer Station at 1201 Second St. (off Gilman Avenue) anytime from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

For compostable trees in January, drop-off is free at the Transfer Station. Starting Feb. 1, drop-off will be $27.75 plus a $3.50 environmental compliance fee. For flocked or plastic trees at any time, the drop-off fee is $38.50 plus the $3.50 environmental compliance fee. For details online, visit berkeleyca.gov/reduce-your-holiday-tree-waste-season-2023.

— city of Berkeley

Prisoner support group receiving $200K grant, training

The Berkeley-based Insight Garden Program (IGP) was recently named a Bank of America 2023 Neighborhood Builders awardee to help further its work in connecting incarcerated individuals to nature. As a Neighborhood Builder, IGP is receiving a $200,000 multiyear grant and extensive leadership training.

IGP’s staff and volunteers support individuals in nine California prisons — including San Quentin State Prison — through their on-site classes aimed at “inner gardening” — via meditation, emotional processing and eco-therapy. The program also focuses on ”outer gardening,” in which participants learn about permaculture, organic gardening and other skills.

Led by former prisoners, the IGP group plan to use their Neighborhood Builders funding for workforce development and financial literacy training. The nationwide Neighborhood Builders invitation-only program is highly competitive. In San Francisco and the East Bay, 57 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders since 2004.

“Insight Garden Program really bridges the gap between prison and re-entry. This Bank of America Neighborhood Builder grant creates a pathway for us to be seen and heard,” said Andrew Winn, IGP’s executive director.

— Bank of America

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