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 of our events! We welcome all ages and backgrounds to our programs and are family-friendly. We are a not-for-profit organization and a project of the Earth Island Institute.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 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/
- Native Plant Nursery Relocation Workday!555 Portola Drive, San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA
Join the Backyard Nursery Network and help us relocate our native plant nursery from the White Crane Springs Community Garden to the McAteer Campus.
Details:
There will be two groups, with one stationed at the old nursery site, White Crane Springs Community Garden, and another at McAteer Campus Community Farm. Staff at each site will help direct you in different tasks.Help us:
- Load/unload plants, pots, tools, and other nursery supplies
- Help us transport materials to our new nursery
- Help build potting benches
- Help us weed, clean up, and organize the nursery
Join us afterward at McAteer Farm for pizza and non-alcoholic drinks!
RSVP on meetup or here!
About Our Native Plant Nursery:
Nature in the City started the Backyard Nursery Network to preserve native plants like coast buckwheat, seaside daisy, and deer weed, which provide habitat for local species. Growing these plants from resilient native seed genetics ensures the survival of endangered plants and our local butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife. Most of these plants go to the Green Hairstreak Corridor planting projects in the Inner Sunset.About our new nursery location:
The McAteer Campus is home to two public high schools Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and The Academy San Francisco at McAteer. We will join Urban Sprouts, Friends of the School of the Arts, and other partners to expand our nursery and help grow the McAteer Campus Community Farm. With students and volunteers, our partners have developed an urban farm complete with a greenhouse, fruit tree orchard, and rows of fresh produce for the community to enjoy.Our new spot will have sun and more space to expand our native plant nursery and increase our capacity to grow plants for habitat restoration sites and gardening clients. We are thrilled to share this new adventure with you and we hope you’ll come check it out!
What to bring:
- Long pants and layers (clothes that might get dirty!)
- Closed-toe shoes
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Sun protection
- Please sign our volunteer waiver before you arrive!
Parking for White Crane Springs is available on Locksley Ave., and parking for McAteer Farm is located off O'Shaunessey Boulevard near Portola.
Meeting Locations, Transportation and Parking:
White Crane Springs Community Garden: White Crane Springs: MUNI lines N, 44, and 43 all have closeby stops. Parking for White Crane Springs is available on Locksley Ave. See map pin for exact meeting location.
McAteer Farm: McAteer Farm: MUNI lines 44, 48, 52, and 36 all have closeby stops. Parking for McAteer Farm is located off O'Shaunessey Boulevard near Portola. See map pin for exact meeting location.
Weather:
Rain will cancel. We will email participants if we decide to cancel this event.Cost:
This event is FREE* to attend (with RSVPs kindly requested).
Donations (in cash or Venmo) can be made to Nature in the City on the day of the event. Special bonus! Everyone who donates $10 and above will receive a copy of the Nature in the City Map.Or donate to Nature in the City using our secure online form, and we’ll send you monthly emails with a full events listing, local nature information, and access to more fun perks.
- Alemany Farm Native Plant Volunteer DayAlemany Farm, San Francisco, CA
Everyone, young or old, experienced or still learning, is welcome to join our California Native Plant workdays on the first Monday and third Saturday of each month. Registration is required in advance**.
**Please only sign up for what you can 100% commit to and let us know ASAP if you do not plan to attend so we can open your space to someone on the waitlist.
Please plan to arrive on time at the start of the work session.
Volunteers will be required to sign a waiver upon arrival.
Each person in your party (including children) must be signed up
Bring a mask: Masks are recommended when working closely with others.
What to bring* -- we will provide all of the tools you need. If you prefer to bring your own gloves, hori hori, or clippers, please do so.- Mask or face covering
- Water Bottle
- Hat
- Sturdy Shoes
- Jacket with layered clothing underneath
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
*Travel light! The farm is an open public space and we have no secure storage for bags. Leave valuables at home and be mindful of your personal belongings, as you would in any park setting.
COVID-19 Precautions:- We will have a hand washing station, hand sanitizer, and clean gloves available
- Please do not come to Alemany Farm if you develop COVID-19 symptoms on or before the day of your volunteer shift (fever, chills, repeated shaking/shivering, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, feeling unusually weak or fatigued, new loss of taste or smell, muscle pain, headache, runny or congested nose, or diarrhea)
- Please do not sign up for a volunteer shift if you are unwilling or unable to adhere to the above guidelines. Friends of Alemany Farm reserves the right to end your volunteer shift if any of the above guidelines are not followed.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/alemany-farm-native-plant-volunteer-day-registration-155900126475
- Butterfly Monitoring Training Session15th Ave & Quintara St, San Francisco, CA 94116, San Francisco, CA
Join us in the Green Hairstreak Corridor for an introductory training session on monitoring Green Hairstreak butterfly populations.
We will walk the Green Hairstreak Corridor and stop at some of the key sites to practice butterfly monitoring and data collection. We will provide all materials to get started.
After participating in this butterfly monitoring training session, you will be well equipped to adventure alone or with a group, to monitor Green Hairstreak Butterfly activity in the corridor and report back to Nature in the City.
What to bring:
- walking shoes
- layers
- sun protection
- water bottle
RSVP on Meetup and/or sign our waiver before you join!
Learn more about the Green Hairstreak Corridor Project here!
Reach out to ella@natureinthecity if you have any questions or concerns.
