July 24, 2026
UC Berkeley has cut the pipevine at Strawberry Creek
On Friday, excavation began and the California pipevine (Aristolochia californica) was cleared, the largest and most productive known breeding stand of the California pipevine swallowtail in the Bay Area, where surveys have recorded 1,000 to 2,000 caterpillars in peak months. It is the only plant this butterfly can breed on.
Photographed at the habitat, Friday July 24, 2026. See what we're asking the University to do →
Wild Harvest and Restoration Fund restores California native ecosystems through community wild harvest, habitat restoration, tribal resource partnerships, and wild agriculture research. See our four missions →
Make a donation, get a sticker
Every donation comes with our pipevine swallowtail sticker, our way of saying thank you for keeping this habitat alive.
Your gift plants California pipevine, puts caterpillars into classrooms for free, and keeps our volunteer crews in the field every week.
Donate & get your sticker →Included at every level. A 501(c)(3) public charity, so your donation is fully tax-deductible.
Upcoming events
Join us on the ground. All events are free and open to the community.
Pipevine Rescue and Potting
At 1pm we meet on the UC Berkeley campus at Strawberry Creek just south of Stephens Hall (map pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FPQdzw9KuCTHAnvNA) to rescue more California pipevine (Ar…
Pipevine Planting: Friends of Alhambra Creek & Claremont Canyon
One morning, two plantings of rescued California pipevine. In Claremont Canyon we plant with the Claremont Canyon Conservancy (claremontcanyon.org, volunteer days at claremontcanyo…
Pipevine Planting: Lafayette Creeks Committee & Friends of Orinda Creeks
From 9am to 1pm, planting rescued pipevine along Las Trampas Creek at Leigh Creekside Park with the Lafayette Creeks Committee, as part of their creekside restoration. In the after…
Pipevine Propagation at the Gill Tract
A Sunday of propagation. At noon we go onto the UC Berkeley campus to collect fresh California pipevine (Aristolochia californica) cuttings, then from 1 to 4pm we propagate them at…
Our Flagship Program
Caterpillar Education Program
We bring the life cycle of the California pipevine swallowtail into classrooms and communities: raising caterpillars, growing their native host plant, and restoring habitat together. Hands-on, standards-aligned, and free to participating schools.
Students witness every stage, and help build the habitat that makes it possible.
This planting season
Where should the pipevine go?
California pipevine is the only plant the pipevine swallowtail can breed on. Tell us about a spot that would work: a creek bank, a shady fence line, a corner of your own yard. We'll plant it with volunteers this winter.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Wild Harvest and Restoration Fund is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. Your donation is fully tax-deductible, and a Donation Acknowledgment Letter will be provided for your records.
Every dollar goes directly toward habitat restoration, community education, and supporting tribal food sovereignty.
Secure payments via Stripe · recurring gifts available, cancel anytime
In the news
CBS News Bay Area
Clean energy construction project at UC Berkeley threatens native butterfly habitat
CBS News Bay Area reports on the clean energy project threatening the California pipevine swallowtail habitat along Strawberry Creek, featuring WHRFund founder Rosetta Wang.
Daily Californian
Campus construction plans could put native butterflies at risk
Coverage of the threat that UC Berkeley construction poses to the California pipevine swallowtail butterfly habitat.