Friends of Alhambra Creek

29/10/2026

Yesterday's work day was the last until next year for the Friends of Alhambra Creek (FOAC) to remove Arundo from the watershed. Of approximately 40 known stands we are permitted to remove, 10 have been completely removed and two were partially removed. Next year we will revisit the 10 to treat any resprouts and begin work on the others.

We want to thank all the organizations and people to date that have made this possible:
Martinez Refinery Company
Republic Services
Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District
Civicorps
City of Martinez
CDFA - Contra Costa County W**d Management Area
California Climate Action Corps
California Invasive Plant Council
Calflora
FOAC Volunteers
Two sites were cleared yesterday by people from several organizations. Civicorps corpmembers Matthew Straus, Shylo and Melita brought tools, technical assistance, and muscle. WIthout Matthew's license to apply herbicide most of it would just grow back. We also want to thank the California Climate Action Corps Fellows Amber Milano, Ryan Schultz, and Koa Baylosis for their enthusiastic willingness to help wherever they were needed. FOAC volunteer Gareth Hummel shouldered many loads and kept our spirits up. . . Bob Huttar

12/10/2026

Couple more photos of the gang at the Senior Center working on the "Arundo Removal Project"!
We had a fun morning.

11/10/2026

Members of Friends Of Alhambra Creek, Jamie & Bob, are leading the charge on removing a nasty invasive, Arundo donax (https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/arundo-donax-profile/) from our Alhambra Watershed. Here we are at the Martinez Senior Center. With help from Martinez Refining Company (MRC), Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD), California Invasive Plant Council (CAL-IPC),members of Friends of Alhambra Creek (FOAC) & others we were able to make a huge dent in this massive clump of Arundo. Another group was just down the street doing same.
Huge thanks to all who helped and a special thank you to Republic Service for providing the dumpster.
Say tuned, lots more to come on this project

11/10/2026

Please join us for our next Friends Of Alhambra Creek general meeting Tuesday October 13th 2026 818 Green St. (Martinez Senior Center).

01/10/2026

Hope to see you there, check out Concilmember Satinder Malhi's advice for this event.

Please join us this Saturday, October 3rd at Pine Meadow Park 9-11 for our next Martinez Community Clean-Up. We'd also like to check out the trash situation along the nearby Vine Hill Way pedestrian path while we're out there! Councilmember Satinder Malhi is advising that there is a fair amount of trash on the hillside which separates the pedestrian path from the main road. If you can advise folks to wear nonslip shoes that would be helpful because there is a lot of loose brush there.... we will need a spotter to keep an eye out for cars too.
There are a couple of trash hotspots near Center/Vine Hill Way too which is why I asked to have it be done here.

01/10/2026

Please join us this Saturday, October 3rd at Pine Meadow Park 9-11 for our next Martinez Community Clean-Up. We'd also like to check out the trash situation along the nearby Vine Hill Way pedestrian path while we're out there! Councilmember Satinder Malhi is advising that there is a fair amount of trash on the hillside which separates the pedestrian path from the main road. If you can advise folks to wear nonslip shoes that would be helpful because there is a lot of loose brush there.... we will need a spotter to keep an eye out for cars too.
There are a couple of trash hotspots near Center/Vine Hill Way too which is why I asked to have it be done here.

27/09/2026

On another note, we have some lovely blooms at our various habitat gardens throughout Martinez. Hope you take notice on your walks & do stop and smell the roses.

27/09/2026

Friends Of Alhambra Creek had the pleasure of keeping trash out of McNabney marsh this morning along with Mt. View Sanitary District and the Contra Cost RCD. We all like to think of September as Costal Clean Up Month!

20/09/2026

The first statewide California Costal Cleanup Day took place in 1985 with about 2500 volunteers, this year more than 50,000 were expected. Friends Of Alhambra Creek always likes to do its part whether it be picking up trash or removing invasive problem plants. Here are a few of us at our Pacheco Marsh removing the highly invasive Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort)

06/09/2026

You are invited to join us at our next Friends Of Alhambra Creek meeting on Tuesday September 9th, 6pm Martinez Senior Center