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.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Green Hairstreak Corridor Volunteer Workday15th and Noriega, San Francisco, CA
Help restore 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
Visit the Corridor on iNaturalist to see what's living there: iNaturalist Monitoring Project
And see our website to view a map of the sites: https://natureinthecity.org/green-hairstreak
***Note*** There is no public restroom available in the Green Hairstreak Corridor, please plan accordingly.
- 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.
- Palou Phelps Park Volunteer WorkdayPalou Phelps Mini Park, San Francisco, CA
On the first Saturday of every month, the Friends of Palou Phelps community group in collaboration with SF Rec & Park lead a volunteer workday at the base of Palou and Phelps Hill. Nature in the City is proud to support this workday with our lovely volunteer community.
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/
