Nature and the City: Oakland's urban forests, wildlife & waterways https://oaklandside.org/category/health-environment/nature-and-the-city/ The Oaklandside. Journalism for Oakland. Mon, 17 Jun 2024 23:56:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://oaklandside.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/cropped-oakland-icon-32x32.png Nature and the City: Oakland's urban forests, wildlife & waterways https://oaklandside.org/category/health-environment/nature-and-the-city/ 32 32 178910376 Why are my allergies so bad this year?  https://oaklandside.org/2024/06/18/why-are-my-allergies-so-bad-this-year/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=439616 Why are my allergies so bad this year? 

It’s not you; it’s the planet.

]]> 439616 California has had a wet two years. What does that mean for Oaklanders and their environment? https://oaklandside.org/2024/06/13/california-storms-oakland-impacts-water-wildfire-allergies/ Thu, 13 Jun 2024 18:02:29 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=439356 California has had a wet two years. What does that mean for Oaklanders and their environment?

More groundwater, taller grasses, and a lot of sneezing.

]]> 439356 Oakland’s long-awaited Vegetation Management Plan tackles decades of wildfire concerns  https://oaklandside.org/2024/06/06/oakland-vegetation-management-plan-tackles-wildfire-concerns/ Fri, 07 Jun 2024 01:01:55 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=439147 Oakland’s long-awaited Vegetation Management Plan tackles decades of wildfire concerns 

Herbicides and prescribed burning are some of the techniques on the table for the new plan, but funding may make implementation difficult.

]]> 439147 The bison in the Oakland Zoo are here to right a historical wrong https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/31/oakland-zoo-helps-bison-return-blackfeet-nation/ Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:28:10 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438957 The bison in the Oakland Zoo are here to right a historical wrong
Two large bison and a small baby bison on a green hill with a gondola behind them.

The zoo has been partnering with the Blackfeet Nation in Montana to restore these culturally significant animals to their ancestral home.

]]> 438957 How Bay Area scientists and environmentalists are prepping for future harmful algal blooms https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/29/state-of-the-estuary-conference-harmful-algal-blooms/ Wed, 29 May 2024 19:47:25 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438846 How Bay Area scientists and environmentalists are prepping for future harmful algal blooms

The 2022 “red tide” that devastated Lake Merritt is one of the big talking points at this year’s State of the Estuary Conference.

]]> 438846 How to stay safe on Bay Area trails this summer https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/23/how-to-stay-safe-on-bay-area-trails-this-summer/ Thu, 23 May 2024 23:38:50 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438730 How to stay safe on Bay Area trails this summer

The region has lots of trails for you to explore–and plenty of perils to avoid. Here’s our guide.

]]> 438730 Most Oaklanders live 10 minutes from a park—but those parks are not equitably distributed https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/22/oakland-parkscore-trust-for-public-land-ranks-52/ Wed, 22 May 2024 23:19:35 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438656 Most Oaklanders live 10 minutes from a park—but those parks are not equitably distributed

Oakland has ranked 52nd out of 100 cities in the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore rating.

]]> 438656 Brooklyn Basin: More homes or a bigger park? https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/21/oakland-brooklyn-basin-estuary-park/ Tue, 21 May 2024 23:00:37 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438617 Brooklyn Basin: More homes or a bigger park?
A crowd watches a man rollerskating at an urban park.

Developers say it makes sense to build 90 homes on a waterfront property set to become green space. Estuary Park advocates are incensed.

]]> 438617 Kevin the Rockridge peacock is Oakland’s newest iconic bird https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/17/kevin-rockridge-community-peacock/ Fri, 17 May 2024 19:24:39 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438500 Kevin the Rockridge peacock is Oakland’s newest iconic bird

Or is his name Bob?

]]> 438500 West Oakland metal recycling fire sparks innovative environmental program https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/13/schnitzer-steel-fire-sparks-innovative-epa-program/ Mon, 13 May 2024 20:22:38 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438301 West Oakland metal recycling fire sparks innovative environmental program

Regulators teamed up with the community to create a new fast-acting task force and enforce anti-pollution laws.

]]> 438301 Community leaders in deep East Oakland are working to improve air quality https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/06/deep-east-oakland-community-improving-air-quality/ Mon, 06 May 2024 18:03:34 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=438117 Community leaders in deep East Oakland are working to improve air quality
The skyline of a dense neighborhood with a scattering of trees and a bay in the distance.

Low-income communities of color are disproportionately harmed by air pollution. East Oakland is embarking on a process that aims to let the community have their say on how to fix it.

]]> 438117 Rattlesnake season is here. Here’s how to stay safe https://oaklandside.org/2024/05/01/rattlesnake-advisory-how-to-stay-safe/ Wed, 01 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=437959 Rattlesnake season is here. Here’s how to stay safe

East Bay Regional Park District has issued a rattlesnake advisory.

]]> 437959 Local ecologist’s graphic novel comes to life for East Oakland middle schoolers https://oaklandside.org/2024/04/25/oakland-author-graphic-novel-dowtown-charter-academy/ Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=437812 Local ecologist’s graphic novel comes to life for East Oakland middle schoolers

After reading about author Tiffany Yap’s book in The Oaklandside, a local teacher fundraised to bring it to his classroom in a special way.

]]> 437812 ‘Adopt a crag’ and ‘leave no trace’: Local climbers are helping protect fragile environments   https://oaklandside.org/2024/04/22/local-climbers-help-protect-fragile-environments/ Mon, 22 Apr 2024 21:23:27 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=437573 ‘Adopt a crag’ and ‘leave no trace’: Local climbers are helping protect fragile environments  
Two people cleaning up a area at the base of a outdoor bouldering wall

The Bay Area Climbers Coalition creates local environmental stewards within the climbing community.

]]> 437573 Want a tree? Apply to get one for your Oakland property https://oaklandside.org/2024/04/18/how-to-get-tree-for-your-oakland-property/ Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=437444 Want a tree? Apply to get one for your Oakland property

Trees for Oakland has opened applications for residents to get more trees in their neighborhood. Renters and homeowners are eligible.

]]> 437444 Things to do on Earth Day in Oakland https://oaklandside.org/2024/04/03/things-to-do-on-earth-day-in-oakland/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:02:07 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=436945 Things to do on Earth Day in Oakland
two people picking up trash from Lake Merritt with trash pickers.

For Earth Day 2024, there are lots of local events and volunteer opportunities to celebrate and nurture our environment.

]]> 436945 Melrose Leadership Academy unveils new ‘green schoolyard’ https://oaklandside.org/2024/04/01/melrose-leadership-academy-unveils-new-green-schoolyard/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=436828 Melrose Leadership Academy unveils new ‘green schoolyard’
Yellow flowers in front of a brown fence with a play structure behind it

The Maxwell Park dual language school is one of OUSD’s latest campuses to grow its greenspace.

]]> 436828 What’s the biggest environmental concern in your Oakland neighborhood? https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/27/whats-the-biggest-environmental-concern-in-your-oakland-neighborhood/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:42:44 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=436650 What’s the biggest environmental concern in your Oakland neighborhood?
A single large leafy tree provides shade in front of three homes on a sunny day in Oakland.

The Oaklandside wants to know what unique environmental challenges you and your neighbors are facing.

]]> 436650 Wildflower season has arrived: here’s where to enjoy the blooms in the East Bay and beyond https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/26/wildflower-season-bay-area/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:10:16 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=436528 Wildflower season has arrived: here’s where to enjoy the blooms in the East Bay and beyond
A hillside filled with orange California poppies against a blue sky.

California’s wildflower season peaks from mid-March to May and the Bay Area has several notable parks where you can find them.

]]> 436528 San Leandro Creek: one of the East Bay’s rare open streams https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/22/san-leandro-creek-one-of-the-east-bays-rare-open-streams/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://oaklandside.org/?p=436447 San Leandro Creek: one of the East Bay’s rare open streams

Stewards work to repair and renew this unique watershed, which is headed by a dam built by Chinese laborers in the 1800s and spans miles in East Oakland and San Leandro.

]]> 436447