Re-Wild a Bit of Nature Near You!

By Alan Carlton 

In a highly urban area such as the Bay Area, with little in the way of large landscapes available for additional protective designations, a focus on "urban rewilding" is one natural and effective way to make a meaningful contribution to “30x30” goals: saving 30 percent of our land and waters by 2030 – a target enshrined in State and Sierra Club policy.

Cities can't be rewilded overnight; it's a long and ongoing process. But we ask you to think of at least one place in your neighborhood where regreening might be appropriate. Here are three examples:

1. Connecting existing parks — even mini-parks — can be done with fairly minor street redesign.
2. Depaving: taking out pavement and putting in greenery to reduce heat islands and prevent stormwater runoff that pollutes waterways and our Bay. It can be done in parks and other public spaces as well as individual homes.
3. Plant a tree — prioritize native species that are adapted for your landscape which will nurture native bees, butterflies, and moths. 

Any regreening project in a public place will have to be done through a local governmental entity. This is a good topic on which to engage your local city council or parks department.

Questions? Ideas? Contact Alan Carlton at carltonal@yahoo.com.

Alan Carlton is the Federal Parks Committee Chair.