The East Bay Regional Park District board of directors voted 7-0 last week to purchase two parcels totaling 390 acres to expand Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch and Vasco Hills Regional Preserve near Byron.
Community Resources for Science, a Bay Area non-profit that helps teachers give students more opportunities to “do science”—to ask questions, test ideas, and get their hands on real science activities—has awarded International Community School (ICS) in Oakland the Science Super Star Challenge. On June 1, 2017 the whole school was recognized for having more than 80% of their classroom teachers complete the Science Super Star Challenge, and as a result, Community Resources for Science and the East Bay Regional Park District’s Mobile Fish Exhibit set up for a full day of science fun.
The Science Super Star Challenge is a carefully crafted set of best practices designed to encourage and celebrate teachers who exemplify excellence in elementary science teaching. Teachers complete the Science Super Star Challenge by leading their students in hands-on investigations, reading and writing about science topics, exploring science via field trips or in class presentations, and participating in teacher professional development.
The East Bay Regional Park District’s Mobile Fish Exhibit is a 26-foot-long aquarium on wheels that offers an up-close, memorable experience with fish from our local lakes and streams, along with programming that helps show students the effects of our trash and waste disposal methods on our environment and food chain. The State Standard–focused lessons for grades K-2 use dress-up and other activities to explore the basic biology of fishes, their life-cycles, and basic adaptations to life in water. Lessons for grades 3-6 use interactive models and games to show students how keeping their environment clean and healthy helps them stay that way too. The Mobile Fish Exhibit is sponsored in part by a grant from the Regional Parks Foundation.
See a full list of honorees for the 2016-2017 school year.
Read more about the EBRPD Mobile Education Unit and the Mobile Fish Exhibit. Image Image Image
Isa Polt-Jones
510-544-2207
ipjones@ebparks.org
2/23/2016
Weather permitting, the East Bay Regional Park District will be applying by helicopter Milestone™ herbicide to their pasturelands sometime during the week of February 29. Milestone in the early spring can prevent the growth and germination of yellow star thistle, a highly invasive, non-native annual. Yellow star thistle degrades the Bay Area’s valuable (and diminishing) rangelands while creating a nuisance for recreation. Yellow Star thistle alters the functioning of the ecosystem, outcompeting annual grasses and native plants, reducing available forage for livestock and using water reserves deep in the soil. If left unmanaged, these plants have been observed to grow to dense monocultures, excluding all other types of vegetation and habitat utilized by many other species.
The Milestone application is under the guidance of a licensed Pest Control Advisor and its efficacy is based on research results from the University of California Cooperative Extension. This herbicide treatment is part of an overall integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to control invasive species at Briones Regional Park.
Will Milestone stay where it is sprayed?
Because of its formulation, Milestone is essentially non-volatile (i.e. non evaporative). Precautions will be taken to ensure that spray drift does not occur. It is applied at a very low rate, so there is little potential for runoff.
Do livestock need to be removed from the treated area?
No. There are no grazing restrictions for any class of livestock or wildlife.
What is the environmental impact of Milestone?
Milestone is registered under the EPA’s Reduced Risk Pesticide initiative, and is frequently used for environmental restoration projects. Because of its non-volatile formulation and its low-volume application rates, Milestone provides effective control with reduced exposure for people and for the environment. When applied in a responsible manner in accordance with the label directions, there should be no harm to persons, pets, property or the environment beyond the intended weed control activity of the pesticide.
Is notification required?
No. Pesticide applicators are required by law to apply pesticides in a safe and effective manner and ensure that no harm is caused to persons, property or wildlife outside of the targeted application site. Notification is only required by law to persons who are likely to enter the treated area. However, this notification is being provided to you by the property operator in good faith to alleviate concerns you may have about this application.
Casey Brierley
(510) 544-2343
This is the 2016 information for archival purposes.
This is the 2016 information. For the current year, go to the home page at ebparks.org or search Activities.
2/23/2016
On Saturday, April 22, 2017 the East Bay Regional Park District dedicated two important completed projects at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond, California. Together the projects represent the largest park investment in EBRPD history, totaling over $46 million.
The Atlas Road Bridge provides a new main entrance and staging area to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. The bridge serves as both a vehicle and ADA-compliant pedestrian bridge. It also connects to the San Francisco Bay Trail. The completion of the new bridge is part of a multi-phase project that will eventually lead to additional picnic areas, a new playground and the route to a new interpretive center for the park.
Meanwhile at the same park, the newly renamed Dotson Family Marsh boasts an extensive habitat restoration and public access project. The 150-acre site has undergone an extensive $14 million habitat restoration and public access project funded by more than 10 agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with the East Bay Regional Park District through local bond Measures CC and WW.
The dedication events were attended by EBRPD Board member Whitney Dotson and his family, after whom the marsh was renamed, in honor of their decades of environmental advocacy along the Richmond shoreline. Other special guests included Assembly member Nancy Skinner (Ca. Senate District 9), Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors member John Gioia, Richmond City Council and EBRPD Board members.
Casey Brierley
(510) 544-2343
1/26/2016
The East Bay Regional Park District and two East Bay mayors invite young people ages 15 to 24 to the Park District’s annual job fairs, slated for Jan. 30 in Oakley and Feb. 6 in Oakland.
The Park District, one of the largest employers of young people in the East Bay, plans to hire more than 400 youth ages 15 to 24 to work in parks, offices and visitor centers this summer. Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland plans to attend the event in her city, the mayor of Oakley, Kevin Romick, is slated to attend the Oakley event.
"The City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District are both leaders in providing much-needed jobs for young people in the East Bay,” Schaaf said. “Youth employment is a priority for all of us, and we're delighted to join forces to match young people with challenging, well-paying jobs that could lead to successful careers."
Even in this rebounding economy, young people can have difficulty finding jobs, officials said.
“Jobs for young people can be scarce. Anything we can do to help teens and young adults get job training and find employment is something I think we all strongly support,” Romick said.
Most of the jobs are summer jobs, but the Park District hires young people all year round. Opportunities include: year-round internships working in administration, public safety, operations, finance, planning, stewardship, and other divisions; lifeguards to work at the District’s 11 pools and lakes; gate attendants; recreation leaders who serve as camp counselors; laborers; field interns; public safety and interpretive aides.
Most positions are paid, and include benefits and opportunities for career advancement. Many student workers have gone on to lifelong careers with the Park District – including General Manager Robert Doyle.
Mosekola Yoloye, a junior at Santa Clara University, used her public affairs internship at the Park District to advance her career goals in technology and business.
A computer engineering major, Yoloye helped re-design the Park District’s web site and create a youth jobs portal. She interviewed managers and human-resource staff about jobs, internships and career pathways available to high school and college students, and added photos of longtime District employees who began their careers in the District’s summer jobs program. The youth portal is expected to launch online at a later date.
“I gained a lot of experience in coding, especially web coding,” Yoloye said. “It was great to be given this challenge and then have the time to figure it out. And all the people I worked with were awesome.”
Intern Paula Pereira’s family hails from Brazil, where the rich biodiversity left a lasting impression on her. “I feel a strong connection to the land, and this desire to understand the natural systems of the world,” Pereira said. Currently pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in environmental management at the University of San Francisco, Paula finds that her academic internship with the Park District is an incredible opportunity.
Working with District stewardship staff, Pereira visits parks in search of the invasive plant yellow star-thistle. She then uses GPS tools and computer software to create digital maps of plant locations. “I’m learning about the practical aspects of land management – including technology - at the same time as I’m studying it in school,” says Pereira. Upon graduation, she has her sights set on a career in land conservation and restoration.
The first job fair will Saturday, Jan. 30 at Big Break Visitor Center, 69 Big Break Road, Oakley.
The second fair is at the Trudeau Training Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland.
Both events are from 9 a.m. to noon.
The City of Oakland also has a comprehensive employment program for young people, Classrooms 2 Careers, which enrolls hundreds of young people in jobs and job training classes in both the public and private sectors, as well as non-profits.
Image
Image Paula Pereira, Stewardship Intern
Jacqueline Noguera
(510) 544-2154
jnoguera@oaklandnet.com
https://www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/accreditation-assessment-team-invites-public-comment
2/15/2016
A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive on Sunday March 13, 2016 to examine all aspects of the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Police Chief Tim Anderson announced today.
Verification by the team that the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence he said.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 6:00pm. The session will be conducted in the East Bay Regional Park District Nike Training Center located at 17930 Lake Chabot Road Castro Valley, California.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call (510) 690-6531 on Monday, March 14, 2016 between the hours of 3:00pm and 5:00pm.
Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information sessions are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards. A copy of the Standards is available at the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department Headquarters, 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley, California, 94546. Local contact is Lt. Gretchen Rose (510) 690-6553.
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department’s ability to meet the standard for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.
The assessment team is composed of public safety practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are Deputy Chief Cynthia Aaron from the Burleson, Texas Police Department and Chief Daniel Boring, Ret. with the Culpeper, Virginia Police Department.
Once the CALEA Assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.
Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155; or call (703) 352-4225, or email calea@calea.org
Lt. Gretchen Rose
(510) 690-6553
1/5/2016
This is the 2016 information for archival purposes. For the current year, go to the home page at www.ebparks.org or our registration page at www.ebparks.org/things-to-do.
The East Bay Regional Park District invites the public to join in the Annual Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s vision, on January18, 2016 at Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline in Oakland. Volunteers will assist staff in restoration work and invasive plant removal in order to support and care for wildlife and their natural habitats. Volunteers will also participate in the restoration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toed shoes. To cut down on the use of plastic, please bring a refillable water bottle and bucket to pick up litter. For more information call (510) 544-2590. Heavy rain cancels the event.
Registration is required. Register groups up to 100 people online or by calling Reservations at 1-888-327-2757, Option 2. Online registration: www.ebparks.org/registration
Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service
Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Doolittle Dr. & Swan Way, Oakland, CA, US 94616
Monday, January 18, 2016
8:30 am to noon
Parking for this event, will be available at the lot for the Oakport Athletic Field, near 66th Avenue and Oakport Street in Oakland.
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 114,000+ acres in 65 parks including over 1,200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature study.
Isa Polt-Jones
(510) 544-2207
ipjones@ebparks.org
1/6/2016
Join the 23rd annual EBRPD Trails Challenge! The Trails Challenge is a self-guided hiking program helping you discover your Regional Parks, while getting fit outdoors.
Download your free guidebook and get started! The booklet includes detailed trail descriptions for hikes in 20 Regional Parks or Trails. Hikes range from easy to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians, and many are wheelchair accessible. While the program is designed to be self-guided, a number of naturalist-led hikes are offered during the year as well.
To complete the challenge, hike five of the trails – or 26.2 miles of trails –by December 1st and submit a trail log to receive a commemorative pin. As in past challenges, the honor system applies.
Now it’s even easier to join the Trails Challenge!
> Registration is no longer required to participate in the Trails Challenge 2016 program.
> Simply download the 2016 guidebook, pick a trail, and start walking, hiking, or biking through your favorite park.
> Trails Challenge t-shirts and printed copies of the guidebooks are free.
Thanks to a special partnership between the East Bay Regional Park District, Kaiser Permanente, and the Regional Parks Foundation this program is FREE to the community and Kaiser Permanente employees.
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 114,000+ acres in 65 parks including over 1,200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature study.
Isa Polt-Jones
(510) 544-2207
ipjones@ebparks.org