Climate Smart Initiative

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.

What the East Bay Regional Park District is doing

• Issuing Certified Green Bonds: new bond funding for acquisition, habitat restoration, trail construction, and protecting the shoreline from sea level rise.
  Download: East Bay Regional Park District Green Bond Framework [PDF]
  Download: 2018 Green Bond Annual Report [PDF]
  Download: 2017 Green Bond Annual Report [PDF]
• Renewable energy: by the end of 2017, the Park District will be energy net neutral, meaning that it will produce enough renewable energy from the solar panels on parking lot shade shelters in one of our 73 parks to offset the amount of energy we use.
• Coastal resilience: the Park District’s 55 miles of shorelines along the Bay and Delta protect millions of communities, families, and people from sea level rise.
• Cooling: Parklands such as Redwood Regional Park provide the public respite from extreme weather such as heat.
  Air quality: parklands and open spaces remove carbon pollution from the air we breathe.
• Carbon storage: Plants, in their roots, and soil sequester carbon.
• In the news: East Bay Regional Parks Board Takes Action Supporting Paris Climate Accord
  Download: East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors Resolution in Support [PDF]

What you can do

• Support the Park District in reducing our carbon footprint by using alternative transportation, such as walking, biking, and transit.
• Reduce and recycle your waste when visiting our parks and at home.
• Make your home more comfortable by increasing its energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy where feasible.
• Eat more local, plant-based organic foods.
• Stay tuned as we develop more ways the public can help the Park District reduce our carbon footprint.

Climate Change Strategy

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]

Carbon Sequestration Study Update

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]

Strategic Energy Plan

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]

Park Planning

• District Land Use Plans in Process
• Other District Plans, Projects and Environmental Review

Climate Smart Videos

• Green Transportation
• Shorelines and Wetlands
• Toxic Algae
• Wildlife Protection

Climate-related Legislation - Supported by EBRPD Board of Directors

• AB 184 (Berman D-Palo Alto) Sea Level Rise Database for Planning
• AB 733 (Berman D-Palo Alto) – Infrastructure Financing Districts to Adapt to Sea Level Rise
• AB 839 (Mullin D-San Francisco) - Resiliency through Adaptation, Economic Vitality and Equity Funding
• AB 907 (Garcia D-Coachella) - Office of Outdoor Recreation and Public Lands Enhancement
• AB 1083 (Burke D-Inglewood) – Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations in State Parks and Beaches
• AB 1433 (Wood D-Healdsburg) – Climate Adaption and Resilience Based on Nature Act
• AB 1630 (Bloom D-Santa Monica) – Wildlife Connectivity and Transportation Project
• AB 1608 (Kalra D-San Jose) Vibrant Landscapes for Climate, People and Multi Benefits
• SB 262 (Wieckowski D-Fremont) – Climate Adaption Advisory Council
• SB 576 (Umberg D-Santa Ana) - Coastal Climate Change Adaptation, Infrastructure and Readiness Program
• H.R. 502 (Grijavla D-AZ) – Permanent Land and Water Conservation Fund Authorization
• H.R. 2748 (Cartwright D-PA) - Safeguarding America's Future and Environment (SAFE) Act
• H.R. 3115 (Pallone D-NJ) - Living Shorelines Act
• S. 1482 (Whitehouse D-RI) - Safeguarding America's Future and Environment (SAFE) Act
• S. 1730 (Harris D-CA) - Living Shorelines Act of 2019

More Information

• Park District Highlights Climate Change in National Public Radio Generation Listen Event, August 2017
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): Climate Change, Parks and Health, June 2017.
  Ana Alvarez, deputy general manager of EBRPD, on creating a ‘climate-smart’ park system.
• EBRPD Economic Analysis Impact Report: Quantifying Our Quality of Life: An Economic Analysis of the East Bay’s Unique Environment 2017
  Chapter 5: Total Economic Significance - Ecosystem Services, see pages 24-34
• Letter from the General Manager on Climate Change: January - February 2017
• COMPASS Magazine 2016: The Park District’s Multipronged Efforts Aim to Protect Shoreline Communities and Lakes While Helping Plants and Wildlife Thrive.
  See pages 6-11
• Park District Invited to White House Water Summit on March 22, 2016
• Major Restoration Planned for Albany Shoreline, 2015
• Crown Memorial State Beach Restored With New Sand, 2013