City passes urban forest plan with $8 million from Inflation Reduction Act, which allots $1.5 billion nationwide. Plus, an adventure out of a steep ravine.
Those pictures of Paris are like night and day. When I got to go to Europe pre-pandemic during a heatwave, every historical city that was just blocks of stone and cement were so incredibly hot. Krakow had a ring of park around their historic center where the city walls had been, and walking through there made such a huge difference in heat.
It's also interesting to see that trees have such a positive impact on crime. I've heard that while people tend to "light up" their yards to prevent burglary, it actually has the opposite effect. Burglars need light to see too.
Oh, Amanda, I might have known you've been nurtured by the same redwoods and bay trees—and ivy!—that I was. I know JM Park and Redwood Park, every foot of them, and can pinpoint the exact place of your little opening video. What a treat to be taken back there again for a few minutes! The Friends of Sausal Creek was the group that gave me my volunteer training in urban creek restoration nonprofit-ing. I eventually lived in the next watershed south, along Peralta Creek, first in an in-law apartment then in a house directly below JM Park, and I hiked and mountain-biked every allowed trail. That land is the place that healed me and put me together after divorce and deaths of both parents (all in the same year). It's my heart-healing-home. It's the land that led me to learn about land trusts and eventually start one! I'm so glad to know that people are caring for those trees and cutting down ivy, and that people will be planting more trees in the paved-over neighborhoods. Loved your adventure of climbing your way out of that ravine—treacherous in the mud! You had me with you, breathless, with each hand hold.
Fab writing Amanda. Urban trees are so important - just last night I listened at a talk on the importance of urban trees and the need to plant smal trees in domestic gardens. The benefits to the residents are so many, not least, slowing the flow of water
Holy smokes this was amazing! Great job! You made me excited about Oakland and urban forests and omg did you CLIMB your way out of the forest!? This was so cool! I love it so much. Also, please take me with you next time. I love the idea of getting your hands dirty and making the world a better place while alone on a trail.
good for you yanking invasives! I've spent quite a bit of time on that here locally the last few years, it's good work and your video of the area of forest that had been worked on by volunteers speaks volumes ... & love that last photo!
Thanks for inviting us along on your ivy cutting adventure. I felt the perspiration beading on my forehead as the excitement of freeing the trees built. Great story!
WOW. Just WOW again and again. I love your very detailed article. So many infos about ivy, Oakland's for trees initiatives and much more for the exploring spirits. Many thanks for your valuable article . 👍🏻👏🏻💚
This video i find distressing , comments like "Dead down fuels that are suffocating the planet?" "fire brings more water? "Fire was a tradition that drove the mega fauna extinct, the mega fauna used to do the work of fire and leave nutrient rich soil in their wake, not dry exposed soil that easily washes away. these fuels as they rot collect and slow water across such steep slopes allowing greater penetration and a good mulch can hold up to 50% of its volume in water for roots and fungi to tap into as needed. Yes we have altered our ecosystems and yes fire can be used as part of the solution especially at the urban interface but the rest is unsubstantiated and other options may provide much better longer lasting solutions to place our forests back on their original evolutionary path.
Another issue with English Ivy is that it is a sponge for the rain waters.
Its roots are shallow, only 4 inches deep.
Rain water is sucked up by its shallow roots,
leaving little to soak further down to tree roots, typically 8 inches and deeper.
Lots of work to get it out of the ground. I've been thinking of suggesting goats to the volunteer group.
There used to be a flock of goats, decades ago. I remember them! I think they munched poison oak in Redwood Park.
Those pictures of Paris are like night and day. When I got to go to Europe pre-pandemic during a heatwave, every historical city that was just blocks of stone and cement were so incredibly hot. Krakow had a ring of park around their historic center where the city walls had been, and walking through there made such a huge difference in heat.
It's also interesting to see that trees have such a positive impact on crime. I've heard that while people tend to "light up" their yards to prevent burglary, it actually has the opposite effect. Burglars need light to see too.
Oh, Amanda, I might have known you've been nurtured by the same redwoods and bay trees—and ivy!—that I was. I know JM Park and Redwood Park, every foot of them, and can pinpoint the exact place of your little opening video. What a treat to be taken back there again for a few minutes! The Friends of Sausal Creek was the group that gave me my volunteer training in urban creek restoration nonprofit-ing. I eventually lived in the next watershed south, along Peralta Creek, first in an in-law apartment then in a house directly below JM Park, and I hiked and mountain-biked every allowed trail. That land is the place that healed me and put me together after divorce and deaths of both parents (all in the same year). It's my heart-healing-home. It's the land that led me to learn about land trusts and eventually start one! I'm so glad to know that people are caring for those trees and cutting down ivy, and that people will be planting more trees in the paved-over neighborhoods. Loved your adventure of climbing your way out of that ravine—treacherous in the mud! You had me with you, breathless, with each hand hold.
Wow! This is so fabulous. I think this is our second coincidental thing in common, along with the Maui connection? So nice to find you here. 💗
Fab writing Amanda. Urban trees are so important - just last night I listened at a talk on the importance of urban trees and the need to plant smal trees in domestic gardens. The benefits to the residents are so many, not least, slowing the flow of water
Thank you, Sally!
Holy smokes this was amazing! Great job! You made me excited about Oakland and urban forests and omg did you CLIMB your way out of the forest!? This was so cool! I love it so much. Also, please take me with you next time. I love the idea of getting your hands dirty and making the world a better place while alone on a trail.
I LOVE that you like this one. I might have channeled you a tiny bit ; )
It was very satisfying! I highly recommend it. Yes, if you're ever down here, reach out. We can save some trees together.
Yay! 🥳
good for you yanking invasives! I've spent quite a bit of time on that here locally the last few years, it's good work and your video of the area of forest that had been worked on by volunteers speaks volumes ... & love that last photo!
So glad someone appreciates that last photo🙂
I love the pictures of the Parisian street before and after greenery.
It's very convincing. Truth and Beauty.
I thought so ,too!
Thank you for delivering some hopeful news on the brink of a frightening new (old) time.
Thanks Michelle!
Wonderful! So much hope in this article.
Thanks!
Thanks for inviting us along on your ivy cutting adventure. I felt the perspiration beading on my forehead as the excitement of freeing the trees built. Great story!
Thanks Julie!
WOW. Just WOW again and again. I love your very detailed article. So many infos about ivy, Oakland's for trees initiatives and much more for the exploring spirits. Many thanks for your valuable article . 👍🏻👏🏻💚
You're welcome, Aida! So glad you liked it.
Yikes. That was exciting!
😊
This video i find distressing , comments like "Dead down fuels that are suffocating the planet?" "fire brings more water? "Fire was a tradition that drove the mega fauna extinct, the mega fauna used to do the work of fire and leave nutrient rich soil in their wake, not dry exposed soil that easily washes away. these fuels as they rot collect and slow water across such steep slopes allowing greater penetration and a good mulch can hold up to 50% of its volume in water for roots and fungi to tap into as needed. Yes we have altered our ecosystems and yes fire can be used as part of the solution especially at the urban interface but the rest is unsubstantiated and other options may provide much better longer lasting solutions to place our forests back on their original evolutionary path.