Conservation Groups San Francisco

Green Hairstreak Corridor Workday: all about pruning

Help restore native plant habitat in the Inner Sunset district for the rare Coastal Green Hairstreak butterfly. Folks who join these workdays help create and expand the ecosystem for this little green gem of a pollinator. We emphasize biodiverse and ecologically relevant plants, and you will get to learn about many of our important native plant species. Be ready for activities like weeding, planting, seed collecting, pruning, and other land maintenance tasks. We often work in light rain, but heavy rain cancels. Please dress in long pants, closed-toe shoes, and layers - clothes that might get a little dirty! Bring your own water bottle and sun protection. We encourage you to sign our volunteer waiver ahead of time by visiting the following link: [Volunteer Waiver](https://natureinthecity.org/waiver) Visit the Corridor on iNaturalist to see what's living there: [iNaturalist Monitoring Project](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/green-hairstreak-corridor) And see our website to view a map of the sites: [https://natureinthecity.org/green-hairstreak](https://natureinthecity.org/green-hairstreak) \*\*\*Note\*\*\* There is no public restroom available in the Green Hairstreak Corridor, please plan accordingly.

2026 CA Coastal Cleanup & Oakland Creek to Bay Day at Middle Harbor

Greetings Friends of Middle Harbor! Come tend to our beautiful San Francisco Bay in honor of [CA Coastal Cleanup Day ](https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html#map)and [Oakland Creek to Bay Day ](https://oakland-volunteer-community-oakgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/oakland-creek-to-bay-day)at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. When you clean up trash along Oakland’s streets and shoreline, you help keep our city and watersheds free of trash – from your local creek watershed to the San Francisco Bay estuary to the Pacific Ocean. Bring your crew! There will be morning snacks and lunch\* for volunteers provided by the Port of Oakland as a thank you. **How to find us:** Meet at Check-in Table down by Beach Steps. Follow signs. A team of naturalists/environmental educators with Nurture NATURE and Port of Oakland staff will be your hosts! **Schedule**: 9:00 AM \~ Check In and Sign Waivers, Safety & Special Site Instructions 9:30 AM \~ Beach Cleanup and Trash Data Collection 10:00 AM \~ Birding, Weeding & Planting, Special Exhibitors/Activities 11:30 AM \~ Group Photo & Prizes (Most Unusual Item, Largest Group of Attendees) 12:00 NOON \~BYO or RSVP to stay for Lunch\* **Kindly Register in Advance** \*Please RSVP by Friday 9/11/2026 so we are sure to have enough food & supplies. Include the NUMBER # of people in your group & how many are vegetarian. **Accessibility & Transportation:** * Main paths are paved; other paths have uneven hard dirt or gravel. The lunch area has gravel. The beach and dunes are sandy. The shoreline mudflat may be covered by tidal brackish water. * Restrooms are wheelchair accessible and have diaper changing shelves. * The closest BART station is West Oakland, 1.7 miles away (\~40 minute walk through industrial SeaPort) * A segment of the SF Bay Trail, a bike-ped path, runs along Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. * Free car parking available at Middle Harbor park. Carpooling is encouraged. **NOTE:** \~ Everyone is welcome -- and required to sign a waiver form prior to the cleanup, when you arrive at the checkin table. \~ Youth (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult. A parent or legal guardian of youth under the age of 18 must also sign the youth waiver form. \- If your group has more than 5 people\, please complete this registration form: https://forms\.gle/ZmwFky8kED5KjVLZ9 **PRO TIPS:** \~ Wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection (e.g. a brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt). Bring gloves, a refillable water bottle, trash grabber, and a pail or bucket if you have them. This event is registered with both Oakland's Creek to Bay Day and CA Coastal Commission.

Native Plant Nursery Workday

Join the Backyard Nursery Network on the ***fourth Saturday of every month*** and assist us in transplanting, pruning, weeding, seed sowing, and general upkeep of our nursery at McAteer Farm on the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts campus. Nature in the City started the Backyard Nursery Network to preserve native plants like coast buckwheat, seaside daisy, and deer weed as they provide habitat for local species. Growing these plants from resilient native seed genetics ensures the survival of both the endangered plants and our local butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife. Most of these plants are going to the Green Hairstreak Corridor planting projects in the Inner Sunset. The workday tasks vary from month to month, but be ready to get your hands dirty! **Getting to the nursery:** * Parking is available in the parking lot off of O'Shaughnessy Blvd. * MUNI lines 44, 48, 52, and 36 all have close-by stops * **From the O'Shaughnessy Blvd. gate:** * Walk along the road * Enter the lower parking lot and find a staircase on the far left side of the parking lot that leads to the track * The nursery is on the far side of the track behind the bleachers. You can find out more about our organization and the Green Hairstreak project here: https://natureinthecity.org/

Habitat Restoration at Glen Canyon

**Weds, April 15th 12 noon-2:30 PM Glen Canyon** Learn from SF Rec & Park staff naturalists about the ecology of the canyon while helping to preserve its diverse habitats. We will be restoring portions of Islais Creek, riparian, scrub, or grassland communities Meet us across the creek from Glenridge Cooperative Nursery, 1500 feet (approx. 7-minute walk) north of the Glen Canyon Recreation Center. For help in locating the project, the recreation center is at 70 Elk Street. [Map to Glenridge Coop Nursery School ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glenridge+Cooperative+Nursery+School/@37.7404957,-122.4419664,387m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x808f7e76764229f5:0x8f353da71333a1f3!2sGlen+Canyon+Park!8m2!3d37.7415588!4d-122.4431851!16zL20vMDVmbjlm!3m5!1s0x808f7e7a3f727d1f:0xc720ab008a29c5ae!8m2!3d37.7406938!4d-122.4423785!16s%2Fg%2F1td9qrs8?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) **Meet across the creek from the nursery school. Look for the Rec & Park trucks.** Please register[ ](https://sfrpd.my.salesforce-sites.com/SFRPDJob?sShiftId=a09Pi00000AKCKD)**[here](https://sfrpd.my.salesforce-sites.com/SFRPDJob?sShiftId=a09Pi00000AKCKD)** with SF Rec/Park.

Santa Cruz County Republican Party Annual BBQ Fundraiser

Lend a hand at Pine Lake

**Date: Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, noon - 2:30 PM** **Park: Pine Lake Park -Stern Grove** Pine Lake is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. Map: [Trail gate @ 580 Crestlake Drive.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eMhiZ83cgDr2ptZ78) Join us as we work to maintain a healthy environment for them. Meet downhill from trailhead gate near 580 Crestlake Drive. Hope to see you there! For questions, contact Cathy Lewis at (415) 297-5170. \*\*\*Everyone 12 years and older is invited. A variety of volunteer tasks is available, at times on steep slopes. Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress in appropriate clothing for physical work. Tools and gloves will be provided. Please be punctual.

Katie Hopkins - Mocking Maverick

Lake Merritt, oldest wildlife refuge

**What:** Let's gather and learn about the Oldest Wildlife Refuge in the United States. We'll learn about what lake Merritt was before it became a lake. And learn about some of the key players in that transformation. We'll also discover some of the botany and zoology in and around the lake. And finally, we'll discover some of the cool spots on the lake and some of the changes and challenges it's facing today. This will all take place in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. **What to bring:** We'll walk about 2 miles, easy walking with some easy inclines and stars, so a good pair of walking shoes, Binoculars if you have them, water and snacks. We can also do Zelle, Paypal, cash. **Where and When:** We'll meet and walk at two separate locations. One place at 9am-10am and the second place at 10:30am-11:30am. Parking at the second location (Adams Point) can be 5.00 Please see below.

Larkspur Library Habitat Gardenn

**Larkspur Library Habitat Garden** Monday, **August 24, 2026 10 – 11:30 am** Leader: **Dana Swisher, Helen Jenkins, and Catherine Wolfers,** [Refugia Marin](https://www.refugiamarin.org/) Come explore the native habitat garden at the new Larkspur Library. Stay for refreshments as well as a tour of the Refugia Marin gardens at Hall Middle School and Laura Lovett's Memorial Garden at the Central Marin Police Station, only steps away. [Refugia Marin](https://www.refugiamarin.org/) will lead an introduction, provide a plant list and garden layout map, and offer tours of the gardens. The newly-planted habitat garden at the Larkspur Library was designed to provide food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife as well as a welcoming public space for library visitors of all ages. It was designed in partnership with landscape architecture firm RHAA Landscape Architects and installed by [California Native Landscapes](https://cnlnatives.com/) (CNL). More than a decorative planting, the project reflects a growing movement to weave biodiversity into public spaces. The garden showcases earth-friendly gardening: sustainable landscaping that benefits the broader environment, while making things easier for the gardener. Earth-friendly gardening protects biodiversity by supporting pollinators and natural enemies, minimizes pollutants, saves water and energy, improves soil and recharges groundwater, and mitigates climate change. The [Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society](https://cnpsmarin.org/) provided meaningful support for the project, helping to make the garden a reality. The late [Laura Lovett](https://cnpsmarin.org/laura-lovett-tribute/), a Marin CNPS board member and passionate advocate for native plants, was deeply involved in shaping the habitat garden into the vibrant space it is today. The gardens (Library, Hall Middle School, and police station) showcase the larger [Larkspur Habitat Corridor](https://www.refugiamarin.org/larkspur-habitat-corridor), a series of nearby native plant gardens designed to help restore biodiversity by linking fragmented spaces into a thriving ecosystem. Future plans for the library garden include community habitat stewardship [work parties](https://www.refugiamarin.org/get-involved), the installation of interpretive educational signage about native plants and pollinators, as well as outdoor environmental learning opportunities through library programming. The new Larkspur Library is closed on Mondays, so we will share this special space with mostly the brave wildlife. Links: [Dana’s article on CNPSMarin.org](https://cnpsmarin.org/larkspur-library-habitat-garden/) [Refugia Marin Larkspur Library Project page](https://www.refugiamarin.org/larkspur-library-habitat-garden) [Larkspur Library Habitat Garden Plant List](https://www.refugiamarin.org/_files/ugd/7aab12_05d33ef2b00149df879d720a84473354.pdf) **Directions: Larkspur Library** 10 Rose Lane, just off Doherty Dr. in Larkspur. Traffic can be heavy on school days, so give yourselves plenty of driving time. Please: * Sign the [Waiver for Marin Chapter 2026](https://app.waiversign.com/e/605434825bd9a600198d4bcc/doc/605436925bd9a600198d4c79?eventName=CNPS%20Marin%202026%20Waiver), if you have not done so already. * Sorry, no dogs on this trip.

Let in the Wow: Luxurious Walking in Delight Zen Mindfulness

Adah's Stairway Community Volunteer Workday

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/adahs](https://natureinthecity.org/adahs) Please 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](natureinthecity.org/waiver) \*\*\*Note\*\*\* There is no public restroom in the garden. Please plan accordingly.

Palou Phelps Park Volunteer Workday

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.my.salesforce-sites.com/SFRPDCalendar](https://sfrpd.my.salesforce-sites.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/