Agenda Item No. 4

EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION Designating May 14, 2016, as Friends of Five Creeks Day in the City of El Cerrito

WHEREAS, Friends of Five Creeks, an all-volunteer organization, founded 20 years ago in El Cerrito, to protect and restore creeks, watersheds, and nature, including and Codornices, Blackberry/Middle, Village, and Marin Creeks in neighboring Albany and Berkeley, celebrates 20 years of hands-on service this year; and

WHEREAS, Friends of Five Creeks has engaged thousands of volunteers of all ages in caring for their environment through monthly work parties for the general public, many other projects for elementary to college students, and other groups such as Trail Trekkers, and every-Tuesday “weed warriors”; and

WHEREAS, Friends of Five Creeks has for many years removed invasive weeds, planted and encouraged diverse native vegetation, removed trash at sites that include Cerrito Creek at El Cerrito Plaza and west of San Pablo Avenue, the Ohlone Greenway, , and the Hillside Natural Area; and

WHEREAS, Friends of Five Creeks has lessened pollution and flood danger, monitored and reported problems, and worked with the City of El Cerrito to find positive solutions to environmental challenges; and

WHEREAS, Friends of Five Creeks built the observation railing at and the Ohlone Greenway, and has installed interpretive signs, public art, benches, trails and other improvements along Cerrito Creek; and

WHEREAS, Friends of Five Creeks also engages the public in learning about and caring for the environment through leading walks (including monthly walks for ages 50+ and wildflower walks in the Hillside Natural Area), sponsoring free Bay Currents talks on nature and environmental issues, writing an informative monthly newsletter, providing an informative web site, and staffing tables at the annual 4th of July worldOne Festival.

NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito does hereby proclaim May 14, 2016, as Friends of Five Creeks Day in the City of El Cerrito and encourages the residents of El Cerrito to join the Friends of Five Creeks 20th Anniversary Celebration at El Cerrito Creekside Park on that day.

Dated: May 3, 2016

______Gregory B. Lyman, Mayor