SAVING THE WORLDS’ ENVIRONMENT ONE DAY AT TIME: EARTH DAY 2006 CELEBRATIONS IN DISTRICT 6

On April 22, 2006 a host of volunteers and Councilperson Desley Brooks, were busy bees cleaning up and weeding several district 6 neighborhoods in celebration of Earth Day!

Efforts in Maxwell Park attracted more than 30 volunteers yielding over 30 bags of weeds and debris. The Maxwell Park community focused their attentions two “adopted” spots near Macarthur and Pierson Streets and along the freeway at Courtland and Redding Streets. Brooks and team also organized clean-up and weeding activities for the creek at Arroyo Viejo Park and sponsored the Skyline Area efforts to remove the fire hazardous overgrowth in the Skyline median strip.

Neighborhood children and families had lots of fun picking up trash and pulling weeds in and around the creek at Arroyo Viejo Park. “Theses types of activities really help to bring the community together. The positive outpouring of enthusiasm and interest in our environment are really moving,” says Brooks.

Meanwhile, a small group of neighbors, East Bay Conservation Corps and Service of Peace kids —nearly 25 in all—gathered along Skyline Boulevard from Redwood Road to the Chabot Equestrian Center to wed the median strip. They were able to clear out all of the scotch broom and most of the thistle. Both of these weed are really dry and burn very easily. Councilperson Brooks worked with Wildfire District Commissioner Susan Burnett in choosing this location hoping to highlight the importance of reducing wildfire hazards.

Special kudos to community leaders Jan Hetherington, Claire Antonetti, Lilah Greene, and city staff: Sandra Steen, Allie Schwarz, David Ferguson and Karolyn Johnson Loudermilk for management of the Earth Day activities in their respective neighborhoods.

“Everyday is really Earth Day and more work is still to be done. This is an ongoing effort,” Brooks hails, Thanks to everyone who turned out on Earth Day to make our piece of the world a better place to live!

To reach Councilperson Brooks, call 510.238.7006 or email dbrooks@oaklandnet.com