Join us Thursday, January 22 at 5:00 am to meet neighbors experiencing homelessness and collect data that helps shape services, policies, and funding. Join a team of volunteers on an early weekday morning in mid-January to help survey people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley and Alameda County.Starting at 5:00 am on Thursday January 22, you’ll help count individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness while also gathering specific data about their demographics and characteristics.The count includes those sleeping outdoors in vehicles, tents or makeshift structures as well as those residing in shelters and transitional housing.

Artists or artist teams should submit qualifications by January 12, 2026, for a $150,000 public art project at a new city park. Artists or artist teams in Northern California can apply to be considered for the creation of two vertical public art pieces that also offer nesting and shelter for birds and non-stinging insects in a new public park.These permanent, durable artworks would bracket the ends of the park being developed on the former Santa Fe railroad track bed in West Berkeley.The pieces should seek to achieve a variety of goals, such as strong design aesthetics, a focus on environmental awareness and complementing the surrounding area.

Join us Thursday, January 22 at 5:00 am to meet neighbors experiencing homelessness and collect data that helps shape services, policies, and funding. Join a team of volunteers on an early weekday morning in mid-January to help survey people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley and Alameda County.Starting at 5:00 am on Thursday January 22, you’ll help count individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness while also gathering specific data about their demographics and characteristics.The count includes those sleeping outdoors in vehicles, tents or makeshift structures as well as those residing in shelters and transitional housing.

Artists or artist teams should submit qualifications by January 12, 2026, for a $150,000 public art project at a new city park. Artists or artist teams in Northern California can apply to be considered for the creation of two vertical public art pieces that also offer nesting and shelter for birds and non-stinging insects in a new public park.These permanent, durable artworks would bracket the ends of the park being developed on the former Santa Fe railroad track bed in West Berkeley.The pieces should seek to achieve a variety of goals, such as strong design aesthetics, a focus on environmental awareness and complementing the surrounding area.

Buy a living, compostable tree; learn composting guidelines. When selecting your tree this holiday season, consider a plan that reduces waste and fits the City's disposal rules for when the season is over.If you get a cut tree or another type of holiday tree, know which ones you can compost and which ones you should throw away in the trash bin.Consider buying a living tree to plant in your yard after the holidays – and avoid waste altogether.Whatever tree you choose, aim for an option that minimizes waste and contributes to Berkeley's efforts to reduce landfill contributions.

Join us Thursday, January 22 at 5:00 am to meet neighbors experiencing homelessness and collect data that helps shape services, policies, and funding. Join a team of volunteers on an early weekday morning in mid-January to help survey people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley and Alameda County.Starting at 5:00 am on Thursday January 22, you’ll help count individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness while also gathering specific data about their demographics and characteristics.The count includes those sleeping outdoors in vehicles, tents or makeshift structures as well as those residing in shelters and transitional housing.

Prevent lithium battery fires: use certified parts, do not leave batteries charging unattended, and watch for signs of damage or overheating. Call 9-1-1 if fire starts. Know how to safely care for, replace, and re-charge lithium batteries, which are common in household devices.Berkeley has had eighteen fires linked to lithium-ion batteries involving e-skateboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes since 2023. Although incidents are down in the city, these dangerous fires continue to happen around the region and nation. Simple tips can help keep you and your household safe:

Join us Thursday, January 22 at 5:00 am to meet neighbors experiencing homelessness and collect data that helps shape services, policies, and funding. Join a team of volunteers on an early weekday morning in mid-January to help survey people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley and Alameda County.Starting at 5:00 am on Thursday January 22, you’ll help count individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness while also gathering specific data about their demographics and characteristics.The count includes those sleeping outdoors in vehicles, tents or makeshift structures as well as those residing in shelters and transitional housing.

Buy a living, compostable tree; learn composting guidelines. When selecting your tree this holiday season, consider a plan that reduces waste and fits the City's disposal rules for when the season is over.If you get a cut tree or another type of holiday tree, know which ones you can compost and which ones you should throw away in the trash bin.Consider buying a living tree to plant in your yard after the holidays – and avoid waste altogether.Whatever tree you choose, aim for an option that minimizes waste and contributes to Berkeley's efforts to reduce landfill contributions.

Webinars start on Jan. 7: Learn more about applying, guidelines, and eligibility. Grant deadlines are March 4 and March 11. Artists and festival organizers can apply for one-time grants to support their work and strengthen the arts culture of Berkeley.These grants fund individual artists to create new work and festival organizers to put on events.Applicants for each category can attend separately designed webinars, starting January 7, to learn about guidelines, eligibility, and how to apply.

Buy a living, compostable tree; learn composting guidelines. When selecting your tree this holiday season, consider a plan that reduces waste and fits the City's disposal rules for when the season is over.If you get a cut tree or another type of holiday tree, know which ones you can compost and which ones you should throw away in the trash bin.Consider buying a living tree to plant in your yard after the holidays – and avoid waste altogether.Whatever tree you choose, aim for an option that minimizes waste and contributes to Berkeley's efforts to reduce landfill contributions.

The city uses parking meters as a way to free up spaces in high-traffic commercial areas. Parking meter prices and time limits vary based on demand in the area. Many commercial areas of Berkeley, such as downtown and Solano Avenue, use parking meters as a way to free up spaces. Under the goBerkeley program, the City of Berkeley sets prices and time limits based on current and estimated future demand for parking in a given area. For example, on Shattuck Avenue, meter prices may vary from $1.50 to $4 per hour as you get closer to the downtown arts district. Time limits range as short as 30 minutes up to 8 hours.

The official website of the City of Berkeley, California.

Sign up for disaster preparedness classes to learn how to extinguish fires, rescue victims, perform first aid, and help others cope with stress. Take emergency preparedness classes with fellow Berkeleyans to learn practical skills you can use in your neighborhoods before, during, and after disasters.These classes include skills such as:

The official website of the City of Berkeley, California.

Use Berkeley’s Emergency Map online or via an app to view instant updates on evacuation and other protective actions. Learn how to use Berkeley’s Emergency Map to quickly see neighborhood-specific protective actions, including orders to evacuate or shelter in place.The map – which you can access online or via an app that sends notifications – is the first place updated by the City’s emergency responders in an emergency. As the crisis evolves, the City strives to update the map with road closures, shelters, or other critical information to guide you to your next steps.