California Biodiversity Council Visits East Palo Alto

Distinguished environmental leaders and government representatives visit East Palo Alto, starting in the garden at East Palo Alto Charter School.

A busload of attendees of the California Biodiversity Council, Children in Nature conference visited East Palo Alto on October 8, 2008. The California Biodiversity Council was formed in 1991 to improve coordination and cooperation between the various resource management and environmental protection organizations at federal, state, and local levels. Strengthening ties between local communities and governments has been a focus of the Council by way of promoting strong local leadership and encouraging comprehensive solutions to regional issues.

The focus of the Children in Nature conference was highlighted by the following statement:

Today, children are much less connected to the natural world than at any other time in history. Yet this is the generation we will look to as our future stewards. They are not fueled as we were by visceral memories of the sheer joy and discovery of climbing trees, exploring trails and building dams in a stream.

Growing evidence proves that the simple act of unstructured play in nature results in healthier and happier children. Yet this is the generation we look to as our future stewards. These are the same children who will determine the future preservation of these natural areas and the resources we have come to treasure.

The Children in Nature conference attendees came to visit East Palo Alto in order to view some of the environmental conditions and disparities that are impacting the community. The group toured the Collective Roots Garden (a Certified Wildlife Habitat) at East Palo Alto Charter School, viewed conditions in the adjacent baylands, and heard from local organizations such as Youth Community Service, Riekes Center, and Katie Kling, a teacher at East Palo Alto Charter School who has been leading her young students out into the baylands to conduct environmental studies.

Photo: Marty Deggeller, Canopy Board Chair, addresses visitors from the California Biodiversity Council.

The visit culminated with a tour of the East Palo Alto community, viewing environmental conditions such as the lack of sidewalks and open spaces, and tree plantings by the Canopy organization.

Collective Roots staff presented a tour of the garden and "back field" at EPACS and shared concerns about the environment and public health and recommended actions for consideration. A powerpoint presentation was also presented, detailing many of the environmental conditions that are impacting public health in the city of East Palo Alto.

Canopy Executive Director Catherine Martineau and Board Chair Marty Deggeller provided a presentation and tour of tree plantings in East Palo Alto. They provided a handout of photos of kids planting trees and project summary of tree planting in East Palo Alto.

Judy Dauberman, Director of Service Learning for Youth Community Service, shared some of their work. Click here to see YCS youth at work in the baylands, working in collaboration with Collective Roots. 

Photo: Bryden Johnston provides garden tour featuring Giant Green Dome.

Honored guests from community also joined the event, including: Rose Jacobs Gibson ( San Mateo County Supervisor), David Holland (San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Director) and Brad Tarr (Acting Planning Manager, City of East Palo Alto Planning Department). 

Photo from left: Catherine Martineau (Executive Director, Canopy), David Holland (Director, San Mateo County Parks & Recreation Department), Rose Jacobs Gibson, San Mateo County Supervisor), Brad Tarr (Acting Manager, Planning Department, City of East Palo Alto).

Tour Participants:

• Janet Ady, US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Janice Alexander, UCCE 4-H Youth Development
• Nadia Andrade, Generation Green Program
• Michael Ayers, Bureau of Land management
• Marianne Butler, Solano Resource Conservation District
• Maria Ceja, Generation Green Program
• David Christy, Bureau of Land Management
• Katherine Eschelbach, US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Marlene Finley, USDA Forest Service
• Victor Johnson, California Conservation Corps
• Mary Kimball, Center for Land-Based Learning
• Margaret Kolar, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Katie Kurtz, SCA - Student Conservation Association
• Leo Lamanna, Marcus A Foster Educational Institute
• Christine Nota, USDA Forest Service
• Bob Pickard, San Joaquin Valley Regional Assn. of California Supervisors
• Michael Pool, Bureau of Land Management
• Carlos Ramirez, Generation Green Program
• Rick Rayburn, California State Parks
• Angel Rodriguez, Generation Green Program
• Walter Roldan, Generation Green Program
• Juana Rosas,Central California Consortium
• Jennifer Russell,City of Lafayette Parks, Trails & Recreation Dept.
• Jimi Scheid, CAL FIRE
• Neal Thayer, Center for Land Based Learning
• David Vega, California Conservation Corps

Photo below: The visit was coordinated by Marge Kolar, Assistant Regional Director, Refuges, U.S. Fish & Wildlife. Service.

See more photos taken of this event on our Flickr site by clicking here.