Tree Sitters In U.C. Berkeley Showdown

Dec. 3 - KGO (KGO) -- There's a new hurdle this morning for U.C. Berkeley's ambitious plans for a massive athletic facility. A group of environmental activists is literally going out on a limb to try to save some trees that are doomed under the plan the regents are voting on tomorrow.

Zachary Runningwolf, Protestor: "I love trees. I am a tree hugger."

And now, also a tree resident. Zachary Runningwolf moved in to an old redwood on Saturday and says he's got the stamina to stay here.

Zachary Runningwolf, Protestor: "At least a couple of months, but I bet the community pressure or university's impatience will decide this before two months. But I am willing to stay two months."

U.C. Berkeley officials are letting him and his fellow protestors stay until at least tomorrow when the board of regents votes on whether to build an athletic facility here.

Marie Felde, Campus Spokeswoman: "They are breaking the law. They are trespassing. That's not allowed, but we have a big decision tomorrow night. That's really our focus."

University officials say they are trying to balance several needs at once and point out that school officials planted these trees when they built the stadium in 1923.

Marie Felde, Campus Spokeswoman: "There are four trees that predate the stadium. Two of them would be removed under this plan. One of them is an oak."

But another big need is a safe place for the athletes to train. Right now they are working out in a stadium that needs to be earthquake retrofitted.

Marie Felde, Campus Spokeswoman: "So the safety of those students to move them into a new building that is earthquake safe is a top priority."

Kingman Lim, Protestor: "There are alternative sites we have tried to present to the administration."

None of the university's arguments are convincing enough to get these activists to come down from their trees.

They don't care that the university plans to plant three new trees for every one they destroy. These tree lovers want these trees, and plan to hold on to them even when the chainsaws arrive.

Kingman Lim, Protestor: "We're putting our bodies on the line and saying 'We're going to stop you from cutting these trees. We're going to do whatever it takes.'"

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