Trees are a valuable resource.  For many reasons.  Healthy tree canopies provide which are appreciated and enjoyed by families and children in parks—and bybicyclists and walkers along the Kern River Parkway.  Trees clean the air, filter our water, reduce energy use, and naturally capture carbon dioxide. They are an essential component of our ecosystem.

Trees are especially important in reducing the excessive heat such as we are experiencing now--helping to make our city more livable in summer.  

Unfortunately, too often we have witnessed the unnecessary damage to and even theremoval of mature trees in public spaces in Bakersfield—along the Kern River, in city parks and along city streets.  We have witnessed trees unmercifully trimmed--often every year and sometimes even causing their death.     

For every tree removed by City crews or through a City contractor a tree needs to be planted.  The number of trees removed during the last three years:  2,385(including tree trimming costing City taxpayers over $2.7 million paid to a contracted firm). 

On July 3, 2024 the City made a commitment to replace two downtown trees which were removed.  The same principle needs to apply for these 2,385 trees removed (many along the Kern River).  And, just as “bobcats” (small bulldozers) are not used to remove homeless encampments on city sidewalks or in city parks, the fragile habitat along the Kern River needs protection instead of “bobcat” destruction.

 

Our Sierra Club recently submitted nine recommendations to the City

1. A three month pause of current tree removal (except in emergency situations) and tree trimming. 

2. We are again recommending that commitments made by the former City Water Resources Department Director on August 5, 2022, be honored.  This commitment was for the development of a “written habitat protection and restoration plan along the secondary flood plain of the Kern River Parkway.” Such a plan would be developed collaboratively by the City Water Resources Department, City Code Enforcement and City Recreation and Parks Departments. 

This is especially relevant given the recently confirmed presence of San Joaquin Kit Foxes and two species of Kangaroo rats in the Kern River secondary flood plain along the Kern River Parkway.  All three are endangered.  

3.  Again, trees removed by the City of Bakersfield or by its contracted firm(including trees dead from over-trimming) need to be replaced in an equal number.

4.  The City of Bakersfield needs to use the listings provided by the California Native Plant Society in planting replacement or new trees in public spaces.

5.  Written procedures for all tree removal/tree trimming performed by City staff and/or contracted firm(s) need to be developed. Such procedures need to follow American National Standards Institute A300 pruning standards.  Supervision and training of crews is an essential part of oversight.  

6. As a part of written procedures and practices we are recommending: (a) that Park Rangers specifically patrol the Kern River Parkway--preferable from a new substation in San Miguel Grove which could operate from a mobile unit and (b) the use of commercial vacuum-type equipment for picking up items such as needles and broken glass.

7.  To protect the bird population (which is on decline) tree trimming should not occur during the breeding season (March through August).

8. Quarterly reports need to be prepared and provided to the Bakersfield City Council regarding the number of trees trimmed, removed and replaced. 

9. Plans and/or information about the repopulation of native trees need to be included in the Bakersfield General Plan. 

Our common sense recommendations to restore trees provide a pathway away from the city’s current detrimental tree care management. We have asked for a response from the City of Bakersfield.  Given comments by Council Members Freeman and Kaur on July 10, 2024 we sincerely hope our recommendations will be adopted.

Please sign our petition and your voices will be heard by council members and city staff.

 

Bakersfield lost its designation as a “Tree City” from the National Arbor Foundation four years ago—in part because of its removal of trees.  Time to take steps to again become a “Tree City.”