UC Berkeley’s good newts: ‘Newtapalooza’ at Botanical Garden celebrates winter migration

The garden is open Wednesday through Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m

by Janis Mara, Bay City News February 18, 2025February 17, 2025

The Japanese pool at the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley is seen in an undated photo. The pool, which is home to a population of newts, was constructed more than 80 years ago and has reached a point where it needs a complete overhaul to save it, garden officials said. (UCBG via Bay City News)

While some might say no newts is good newts, the folks at UC Berkeley’s Botanical Garden disagree, even going so far as to declare a Newtapalooza at the garden in February.

Visitors to the 34-acre garden in the Berkeley hills are asked to watch their step. Newts are making their way toward the garden’s Japanese pool, officials said in a news release.

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