Seeking public comments and feedback, the West Oakland Green Initiative - WOGI - invites all West Oakland residents and stakeholders to a presentation on the draft of the West Oakland Reforestation Plan -WORP - from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at the Willie Keys Recreation Center, 3131 Union St. in Oakland.

West Oakland was originally part of a coastal oak forest, most of which has been lost over more than a century of urbanization, non-native plantings, redevelopment, infrastructure building and inadequate replanting. Newer parts of West Oakland were created to support industrial development like the Oakland Army Terminal, Naval Supply Center and Port of Oakland facilities, which the WORP notes is largely “hardscape with very little vegetation.” The plan continues, “The foregoing conditions have contributed to a degradation of much of West Oakland’s environment.”

The Reforestation Project, funded by the Port of Oakland and the West Oakland Project Area Committee, in partnership with the city of Oakland Redevelopment Agency, “seeks to restore and maintain a healthy and sustainable natural ecosystem in West Oakland by increasing the tree population and vegetation in the project area.”

WOGI adds that its draft plan includes: 

--An expanded list of street tree species for West Oakland to 
promote a healthier, more diverse urban forest

--Designation of tree species for each of West Oakland’s major streets to help unify and provide a distinct character for each street Specific tree planting recommendations for parks, schools, parking lots and other public and private open spaces

--How trees improve air quality, mitigate storm water runoff and increase property values

The plan is available at treesforwestoakland.org/worp/westoaklandreforestationplan_101612.pdf. Public comment is welcome at the meeting and in writing in advance of the meeting at cbuckleyAICP@att.net. Questions about the plan may be directed to the same email or to Chris Buckley at (510) 523-0411.