Bay Tree Design collaborated with East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) to create a comprehensive report on green infrastructure best practices to improve air quality within the District’s most sensitive landscapes. The report, which includes design recommendations and suggested plant lists, is a resource for the Design and Operations staff of the East Bay Regional Parks District (or their consultants). All recommended trees and shrubs improve air quality by filtering fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and storing carbon. Species on the list may be used for infill planting of existing landscapes or as a basis for a plant palette for a new or fully renovated landscape.

To create the plant list and to identify target parks within the East Bay Regional Park District, a thorough range of current scientific literature was considered: PM2.5 particulate filtering using shelterbelts, species-specific characteristics that promote air filtration, the contributions of trees to BVOCs in the environment, full life-cycle analyses of the carbon sink potential of trees, as well as climate change scenarios in the Bay Area. The report additionally takes into account federal, state, and regional agency recommendations for using green infrastructure to improve air quality.

Location
East Bay Area, CA

Client
East Bay Regional Park District

Size
1.4 Ac.

Completed
2022