Parks dynamo Patty Donald retires June 2017

If you’ve helped out at a shoreline cleanup, seen the Berkeley Marina’s colorful Kite Festival, or if someone in your family became fascinated with science and nature at Berkeley’s Marina Experience programs, it’s because of Patty Donald, naturalist and recreation coordinator at the Berkeley Marina’s Shorebird Park and Adventure Playground. A citizen arm, Friends of Shorebird Nature Center, is a valued BPFP partner.

Beach at Shorebird ParkOne of Berkeley’s most creative and influential environmentalists, Patty retires this month after more than 30 years “growing” Berkeley Parks programs.

Daughter of a Gold Rush family, Patty grew up in Berkeley. She earned a degree in parks and natural-resource management and interpretation just as California’s Proposition 13 was slashing property-tax funds for such programs. After part- and full-time stints including teaching science at Cragmont School (her “alma mater”) and working for Berkeley Parks and at the East Bay Regional Parks’ Crab Cove Nature Center, she approached Berkeley with an idea:

“I said I’d set up a nature program here. They said OK. So I did.” Continue reading “Parks dynamo Patty Donald retires June 2017”

Dec. 4 Panel on Native American History and Wisdom

Four highly accomplished Ohlone cultural practitioners join with three of Berkeley’s most knowledgeable scholars and historians to discuss “Native Berkeley: Ancient Wisdom for Troubled Times,” 2 PM Sun., Dec. 4, 2016, at the North Berkeley Senior Center, MLK at Hearst. The event is sponsored by BPFP partner group Friends of Ohlone Park (FOOP). Continue reading “Dec. 4 Panel on Native American History and Wisdom”

Vote for Measure AA!

Support San Francisco Bay with Measure AA on the June 7 ballot!
YesOnAAMeasure AA is a $12-per-year parcel tax — over 20 years, just $1 a month from all property owners in the nine Bay Area counties will raise $500 million to restore thousands of acres of Bay Area wetlands — reducing pollution, helping wildlife, and protecting low-lying communities from floods, storms, and threats from rising sea levels. A 2/3 majority is needed — your vote is vitally important! Read the text, impartial analysis, and more details here. See supporters here. Ways to support Measure AA here.

Friends of Five Creeks, Schoolhouse Creek Common celebrate birthdays!

Two BPFP partner groups celebrated important anniversaries in May. Left, Friends of Five Creeks celebrated 20 years with a picnic, bug hunt, games, nature walk, and wild edibles May 14, 2016 at Cerrito Creek. Right, Schoolhouse Creek Common celebrated 10 years with a Maypole, music, games, and food on May 1 at the community-built park Below right: Jamie Day and his wife Phyllis Orrick, neighbors and leaders of the project.

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