Environment
Largest Professional Parks Conference Coming to Bay Area
George Wright Society’s 18th biennial conference on Parks, Protected Areas, and Cultural Sites—“Engagement, Education, and Expectations: The Future of Parks and Protected Areas” — is taking place March 29 – April 3 in Oakland.
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Every two years, the society organizes North America’s leading interdisciplinary professional meeting on parks, protected areas, and cultural sites. Some 600 participants are expected this year.
This week of discussion about leading-edge research and innovative management practices in parks and protected areas will include presentations by National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis and Parks Canada CEO Alan Latourelle.
The conference’s first two plenary sessions, “Parks as a Key to Preventive Healthcare: Partnerships between Park and Health Professionals” and “Watching the World Go Away: Sliding Baselines, Diminished Expectations, and the Future of Protected Areas” will be streamed live on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5DLDaJAGvY
Both professionals and the public are welcomed. Conference program and registration information can be found at www.georgewright.org/gws2015_register
“We are excited to be bringing North America’s largest professional parks conference to the Bay Area for the first time,” said Nathalie Gagnon, president of the George Wright Society. “The GWS Conference brings researchers, managers, and educators together to solve critical problems facing national parks, other kinds of protected areas, and historic and cultural sites.”
A major goal of the GWS is to encourage more diversity in the conservation of parks, protected areas, and cultural sites. This commitment is reflected in two scholarship programs the Society runs that are aimed at encouraging minority students and non-student Indigenous people to participate in the conference: the George Melendez Wright Student Travel Scholarship Program and the Indigenous Participant Travel Grant Program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activism
LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST
Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST
Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST
Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?
Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.
STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa
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