Posts for the 'General interest' Category

Help find and slow Sudden Oak Death: Apr. 30 – May 1 ‘blitz’ survey

April 30, 2011toMay 1, 2011

Sudden Oak Death, a fungus-like mold that is ravaging coastal California’s beautiful live oaks, is infecting trees in the hills from El Sobrante to Oakland, and has been found on the UC Berkeley campus and North Berkeley hills.

The disease is carried on many host plants. Its advance is fitful but inexorable, spurred by high winds or late-spring rains. The pathogen affects large oaks; most infected trees die quickly (hence the name). Sometimes, massive infestations of beetles and fungi that follow the disease cause trees to snap off at the base even before the leaves turn brown.

Loss of our coastal oaks means much more than loss of beauty or property values. Hundreds of native animal and plant species depend on oaks. Watershed and water cycling would change. Danger of fire and damage from falling limbs and trees would increase.

There is no cure, but some things can be done to slow the spread and protect high-value or high-risk trees – for example in parks or near homes. Most of these must be done before an area, or a tree, is infected.
Working with UC Berkeley’s Dr. Matteo Garbelotto and other community organizations, BPFP is sponsoring a “blitz” survey of infected host plants – mainly California bay laurels. Sign up here to:

  • Attend a free one-hour training and get survey materials, 1:30 PM Sat., April 30, on the UC Berkeley campus (easy access by BART and bus). Training also is available at 10 AM April 30 at the Orinda Community Center; Bill Hudson at wllhh@ymail.com.
  • Look for infected leaves at locations of your choice (including young home) or suggested by organizers.
  • Volunteers return suspect samples to an on-campus drop box by 5 PM Sunday, May 1.

    • Samples will be laboratory tested. Results will be posted on an online database and Google Earth. A community meeting will discuss results and what can be done.

    For more information about the survey, or if a group is interested if your group is interested in surveying a specific park or neighborhood, please contact Friends of Five Creeks, f5creeks@aol.com or 510 848 8358.

    If you think you have an infected oak on your property, check out the Garbelotto lab’s free treatment-training sessions .

    If the April 30-May 1 blitz doesn’t work for you, but you have an I- phone and want to help add to knowledge of this plague, check out this I-phone app from Maggi Kelly’s lab, also at UC Berkeley.

    For general information on sudden oak death, go to the California Oak Mortality Task Force web site.

    March 22nd, 2011

    BPFP partners with Bay Nature

    A Note from our president, John Steere:

    Oct-Dec 2010 coverWe encourage all current and prospective members of Berkeley Partners for Parks to take advantage of our new partnership with the Berkeley-based award-winning and bio-regionally informative magazine, Bay Nature, which you can receive a year’s subscription for only $17.95 (or as a Holiday gift subscription) when you sign up for BPFP! That’s more than 25% off a regular subscription prIce….

    Bay Nature is the only magazine dedicated to exploring and protecting wild places at the urban edge AND the wild places right outside your door, connecting Bay Area people to the mountain lions nearby, restoration of thousands of acres of tidal wetlands, the butterflies of the Presidio, the best local hikes, and more.

    From now until December 31, you can get a one-year gift subscription to Bay Nature for only $17.95.

    Even better, if you give two or more subscriptions, they will be only $15 each! That’s a savings of over 32% off a regular one-year subscription. http://store.baynature.com/Search.bok?category=Gift+Subscriptions+and+Renewals

    December 13th, 2010

    ‘Hidden Gems’ bike tour explores the ‘Breas.

    May 15, 2010
    10:00 amto1:00 pm

    The 8th annual Hidden Gems of Berkeley bike ride explores the curious, quirky, and crafted features and grassroots greening initiatives that make Berkeley unique — this year in Berkeley’s charming Northbrae and Westbrae neighborhoods. Meet at the North Berkeley Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda and Hopkins, 10 AM Sat., May 15. The leisurely ride on level and gently sloping terrain ends at 1 PM. Bring lunch, water, and the family — great for children over 10. The event is free; updated Hidden Gems of Berkeley maps available for $5 donation. Sponsored by Berkeley Partners for Parks, Livable Berkeley, East Bay Green Tours, and Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition; led by John Coveney, Marlene Fouche, and originator John Steere (for information contact John at 510 849 1969).

    May 1st, 2010

    Design for Wildlife Workshop

    May 21, 2010
    9:00 amto4:30 pm

    What do green building, red tail hawks, native oaks, bird migration and climate change have in common?

    Design for Wildlife

    is a first-of-its kind workshop on designing wildlife-friendly buildings, landscapes and communities.

    Focus on ecology and practical design options. Includes wildlife behavior, site-specific methods, materials, wildlife corridors – and more — for those interested in the future of wildlife and ecodesign.

    Sponsored by the San Francisco Institute of Architecture
    Instructors Dave Deppen, Architect; Jennifer Berry, Ecologist
    9 AM – 4:30 PM Friday, May 21, 2010
    Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar Street (at Walnut), Berkeley
    $200, professionals and public; $100 students & teachers (with current ID).
    Advance registration only
    603.793.3000

    email: trey@livinglabs.org

    April 23rd, 2010

    Evening walk explores Cerrito Ck. and Albany Hill Thurs., Apr. 22

    April 22, 2010
    6:00 pmto8:00 pm

    Friends of Five Creeks and Transition Albany invite you to enjoy Cerrito Creek and Albany Hill on a spring evening, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Meet at 6 PM at Peet’s Coffee, San Pablo and Carlson, El Cerrito; wear long pants and sleeves (poison oak) and sturdy hiking shoes with good traction; bring sticks if you use them. This two-hour exploration of rare urban wilderness with fascinating history will cross the creek on stepping stones and gain 300′ elevation on moderately steep, narrow dirty trails — with refreshments at the top! Information at www.fivecreeks.org, f5creeks@aol.com, 510 848 9358.

    April 12th, 2010

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