Environment

East Bay Parks: In 2016, get outdoors and get healthy

Published

9 years ago

January 6, 2016

By Ned McKay

Communing with nature can boost your resistance to diseases, according to an article referenced in the January issue of Consumer Reports.

The article cites work by Ming Kuo, director of the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana.

“Nature doesn’t just have one or two active ingredients, “ she said. “It’s more like a multivitamin that provides us with the nutrients we need to protect us from different diseases.”

With that in mind, consider the variety of free, immunity boosting outdoor activities offered in the East Bay Regional Parks this upcoming weekend.

You could start out at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, where the naturalist staff will lead a walk from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 to view deciduous and evergreen trees, ducks, and mushrooms among other winter flora and fauna.

Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Main Street in Oakley. For general information on the park, call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050.

And there’s always something going on at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. Three programs are on the agenda during the weekend.

First, you can make your own rain stick and learn how to conserve water, with help from interpretive student aide Sharona Kleinman. The program is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9.

There’s a walk on the wild side from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. the same day with naturalist Trail Gail Broesder. It’s a trek to the top of Wildcat Peak, looking for wildlife along the way and enjoying panoramic views at the summit. Bring water and snacks.

Then from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10, Sharona will organize a bingo game with a wildlife theme. At the end, you get to keep the cards.

All three programs meet at the Environmental Education Center, located at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.

Speaking of rain, weather is the theme of Family Nature Fun hour from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10, at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda.

The staff will lead activities based on the science of clouds, storms and extreme weather. Then it’s fish feeding time at the center’s aquariums from 3 to 3:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

The aquariums contain many varieties of fish that inhabit San Francisco Bay. Crab Cove is at 1252 McKay Ave. off Central Avenue. Call 510-544-3187.

Ducks are on the agenda at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. Naturalist Kristina Parkison will lead a stroll on a boardwalk through the park’s marshes from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 to view our overwintering web-footed friends.

Kristina’s program is for ages six and older and parent participation is required. Meet at the visitor center at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway.

Coyote Hills has a Family Fun Hour, too. It’s from 2 to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, Jan. 10 a tour of the visitor center nectar garden is planned.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

Map Reveals Measure X Fuel Reduction Progress Throughout Richmond

Passed by voters on Nov. 3, 2020, Measure X is a 0.5% tax on taxable purchases for general purposes, with the County Board of Supervisors determining how it will be used. The tax generates approximately $120 million annually in support of county services.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2024

Oakland Post

Image courtesy of the City of Richmond.

By Kathy Chouteau, The Richmond Standard

A new interactive map spotlights the City of Richmond’s efforts to reduce fire hazards on City-owned parcels through the Measure X Fuel Reduction Program.

This Fuel Reduction Initiative is one-way Measure X funding is being applied, looking to improve community safety by “managing vegetation and mitigating fire risks across high-priority areas,” according to the City of Richmond.

On the map, community members can see parcels that have been completed, approved for treatment, or are currently under review, according to city sources. It added that the map also offers people a transparent view of the program’s progress.

Check out the map at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b17c829f94e249719f9191291a0bcae4/?org=cityofrichmond to see where various parcels in Richmond stand as part of the program funded by Measure X.

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

Electric UPS Delivery Fleet Coming to Oakland, Richmond, and SF

The project will replace the current Class 6 UPS delivery trucks with ZE battery electric vehicles. It will also install chargers at the Bay Area logistics centers. In total, 40 vehicles and chargers are coming to the facility near Oakland, another 10 in San Francisco and 10 more in Richmond.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo courtesy of the Port of Oakland.

The Richmond Standard

A total of 60 UPS delivery trucks serving logistics centers in Oakland, Richmond, and San Francisco will be replaced with electric versions as part of a partnership between the delivery business and the Port of Oakland.

The Port will use a newly announced award of $10.5 million in Environmental Protection Agency grants and $5 million from UPS to advance the fleet conversion.

The project will replace Class 6 UPS delivery trucks with ZE battery electric vehicles. It will also install chargers at the Bay Area logistics centers. In total, 40 vehicles and chargers are coming to the facility near Oakland, another 10 in San Francisco, and 10 more in Richmond.

The project will feature opportunities for green career pathways through workforce development and training.

“The Port of Oakland is grateful for additional investments to transition freight equipment and infrastructure to zero emissions,” Colleen Liang, the Port’s director of environmental programs and planning.

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the “bold investment” will curb pollution, protect public health and provide good-paying green jobs.

“The City of Richmond welcomes this bold EPA investment in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles,” Martinez said in a statement.

For more information, see the 2024 EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant Project.

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation. During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

Published

1 month ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Newsom visits the White House on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Gov.Ca. Gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.

During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.

At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.

“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.

On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.

Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.