Image courtesy of the East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) received $13.5 million from the California State budget to prevent wildfires, including $10 million to specifically remove dead and dying trees.
The $10 million appropriation, proposed by Senators Nancy Skinner (D-9, Berkeley) and Bob Wieckowski (D-10, Fremont), aims to address a new tree mortality phenomenon occurring in several parklands. First noticed in the East Bay in October 2020, EBRPD has more than 1,500 acres of dead or dying trees affected by drought and climate change conditions that need immediate attention, according to EBRPD Fire Chief Aileen Theile.
Miller Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond, Anthony Chabot and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Parks in Oakland, and Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley/Orinda are locations most significantly impacted, according to EBRPD.