What we’re about
Nature in the City is a diverse community of enthusiasts and naturalists of all backgrounds. We gather to connect to nature in the neighborhoods and urban areas of San Francisco through organized habitat restoration projects, hands-on workshops, community and educational events, and field trips. Our passionate volunteers and members are welcome to attend any and all of our events! We welcome all ages and backgrounds to our programs, and are family friendly. We are a not-for-profit organization, and are a project of the Earth Island Institute.
Join Nature in the City and our Youth in Action program for a Bioblitz in the Green Hairstreak Corridor.
Participants are encouraged to add observations through iNaturalist or Seek as part of the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide four-day event. Your sightings will count toward Nature in the City's Green Hairstreak Corridor monitoring efforts.
This event is part of three youth-centered events sponsored by the Shine On Action Awards and is free and open to everyone.
The Main Event:
Arrive between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area, where we'll have snacks and beverages. Then join an expert naturalist on a walk through the Corridor to add observations on iNaturalist or Seek. Nature in the City staff and volunteers will help you learn how to record wildlife, and we hope everyone gets a close-up view of Green Hairstreak butterflies!
- Bioblitz walks will depart at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., and last about 1.5 hours.
At 1:30 p.m., groups will meet back at the Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area to celebrate Bioblitz highlights and share the number of people, observations, and species we recorded as a group.
Just The Butterflies, Please:
If you're short on time and want to make sure you see Green Hairstreak butterflies, you can visit our flagship butterfly habitat restoration site at 15th Ave and Quintara Street, where a naturalist will be stationed.
Preparation:
If you want to participate in the City Nature Challenge, please download iNaturalist or Seek on your smartphone and set up an account beforehand if you don't have one. Otherwise, bring water, sturdy shoes, and layers.
- Note: there will be a portable toilet at the Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area.
Meeting Location:
The Main Event will be held at the Golden Gate Heights Park Picnic Area on 12th Ave.
A volunteer will be stationed at 15th Avenue & Quintara Steps if you just want to seek out a glimpse of the Green Hairstreak Butterfly.
Transportation:
The Muni 6 bus drops off at the top of the Quintara Steps, and Golden Gate Heights Park is a five-minute walk from here; the Muni 66 stops at 15th and Quintara.
Weather:
Heavy rain cancels the event. Organizers will make the call on the morning of the event and notify the participants via email.
Cost:
This event is FREE to attend (with RSVPs kindly requested), thanks to a grant from ShineOn SF
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Adah's Stairway Community Volunteer WorkdayAdah's Stairway, San Francisco, CA
Join our monthly 4th-Saturday workday to take care of the garden at Adah's Stairway in the Haight.
Adah's Stairway is a community partnership: a public stairway, garden, and bird/wildlife habitat located in the Buena Vista Park and Haight Ashbury neighborhoods.
Nature in the City is working with local residents to enhance the wildlife potential for this park-– once a forgotten place, which had become blighted by illegal dumping and graffiti, is now a tribute to local walking guru Adah Bakalinsky, author of the Stairway Walks in San Francisco.
What's more, our work here will create a bird sanctuary for resident and migrating birds designed with the Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) in mind. Cedar Waxwings are gorgeous birds that pass through San Francisco during spring and fall feeding on berries and fruits along the Pacific Flyway migration route.
If you'd like to learn more, please check out our website:
https://natureinthecity.org/adahsPlease bring your own gloves & gardening bucket if you have them. We will provide them if you need! Dress in clothes that can get dirty: long pants, close-toe shoes, and layers for changing weather. Bring your own sun protection and reusable water bottle. We encourage you to sign our Volunteer Waiver ahead of time by visiting the following link:
natureinthecity.org/waiver***Note*** There is no public restroom in the garden. Please plan accordingly.
- Green Hairstreak Corridor Bioblitz!Golden Gate Heights Park, San Francisco, CA
Join Nature in the City and our Youth in Action program for a Bioblitz in the Green Hairstreak Corridor.
Participants are encouraged to add observations through iNaturalist or Seek as part of the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide four-day event. Your sightings will count toward Nature in the City's Green Hairstreak Corridor monitoring efforts.
This event is part of three youth-centered events sponsored by the Shine On Action Awards and is free and open to everyone.The Main Event:
Arrive between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area, where we'll have snacks and beverages. Then join an expert naturalist on a walk through the Corridor to add observations on iNaturalist or Seek. Nature in the City staff and volunteers will help you learn how to record wildlife, and we hope everyone gets a close-up view of Green Hairstreak butterflies!- Bioblitz walks will depart at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., and last about 1.5 hours.
At 1:30 p.m., groups will meet back at the Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area to celebrate Bioblitz highlights and share the number of people, observations, and species we recorded as a group.
Just The Butterflies, Please:
If you're short on time and want to make sure you see Green Hairstreak butterflies, you can visit our flagship butterfly habitat restoration site at 15th Ave and Quintara Street, where a naturalist will be stationed.Preparation:
If you want to participate in the City Nature Challenge, please download iNaturalist or Seek on your smartphone and set up an account beforehand if you don't have one. Otherwise, bring water, sturdy shoes, and layers.- Note: there will be a portable toilet at the Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area.
Meeting Location:
The Main Event will be held at the Golden Gate Heights Park Picnic Area on 12th Ave.
A volunteer will be stationed at 15th Avenue & Quintara Steps if you just want to seek out a glimpse of the Green Hairstreak Butterfly.Transportation:
The Muni 6 bus drops off at the top of the Quintara Steps, and Golden Gate Heights Park is a five-minute walk from here; the Muni 66 stops at 15th and Quintara.Weather:
Heavy rain cancels the event. Organizers will make the call on the morning of the event and notify the participants via email.Cost:
This event is FREE to attend (with RSVPs kindly requested), thanks to a grant from ShineOn SF - Palou Phelps Park Volunteer WorkdayPalou Phelps Mini Park, San Francisco, CA
On the first Saturday of every month, we meet at the base of the Palou & Phelps hill and join the Friends of Palou Phelps community group and SF Rec & Park on their volunteer workday.
Our workdays will vary every Saturday, but both the hill and the garden will be the focus on these days. So come ready to get your hands dirty!
****Please sign up through the official SFRPD portal here; THANK YOU: https://sfrpd.secure.force.com/SFRPDCalendar
***
Background:
Nature in the City started the Palou Phelps project as a means to preserve a native grassland habitat from the threat of development. The habitat is one of the few native grasslands remaining in San Francisco and is vital to local pollinators.
website: https://natureinthecity.org/palou-phelps/
