The Park District’s top priority is keeping our parks, shorelines, lakes and trails safe and well-maintained. A big part of that responsibility is preparing for the future: Taking steps now to adapt to a changing climate, and a rising San Francisco Bay. We are seeing the effects of sea-level rise in increased coastal and levee erosion and trail flooding. Many of our lakes have suffered from toxic algae blooms, and the prolonged drought has had a severe impact on our forests and woodlands.
Our Climate Smart Initiative includes integrated adaptive management such as wetland restoration at Dotson Family Marsh, wildfire hazard reduction practices, study and monitoring of harmful algae bloom, and expansion of a network of trails for green transportation.
The District developed a comprehensive strategy to mitigate sea level rise impacting the 55 miles of shorelines that we own and manage in the East San Francisco Bay. The effects of levee failure and overtopping of the San Francisco Bay Trail threaten critical infrastructure, homes, and people. Adaptive plans include renewable energy projects, partnering with regional agencies and research institutes, developing best practices for grazing and fire wildfire hazard management for regional parklands.
Download: Preliminary Study: Effect of Sea Level Rise on the Resources of the Hayward Shoreline [PDF]
The Park District updated a 2008 carbon sequestration study which found that over 120,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and oak woodlands store nearly 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, which is similar to taking 60,000 vehicles off of East Bay roads every year.
Download: Carbon Sequestration Study Update - 08-04-2016 [PDF]
In keeping with the environmental ethic of the East Bay Regional Park District’s mission, we created a Strategic Energy Plan as a roadmap for future energy decisions. The Park District currently uses electricity, natural gas, and propane that emit 1,156 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. The plan shows how the Park District can generate much of its energy on-site and significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Download: Strategic Energy Plan - 10-07-2014 [PDF]