More Calendars
News
Extra Extra! Politics Newsflash!
In a recent political mailer, a candidate for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Eric Mar, has actually invoked his support for San Francisco's natural environment! To our knowledge, this is the first we have ever heard of a candidate or a sitting supervisor talking about nature in the city unprompted. A truly green supe?
Here's the quote from the mailer: "As a two-term member of the Board of Education, I have also supported programs that allow our students to learn about our natural areas, our city's native plant and animal populations, and concepts such as biodiversity and ecosystems."
And here are several links to politics here in the city:
http://www.sfbg.com/elections/fall2008/
http://www.sfusualsuspects.com/BattlefortheBoard
http://www.sfgate.com/campaign2008/
http://www.sfgreenparty.org/campaigns/campaigns.gem
http://www.sfdemocrats.org/article.php?list=type&type=24
http://www.sfgop.org/
http://www.lpsf.org/
http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/home/
New SF Fauna Sightings
From Josiah Clark:
"The city of SF had its first ever sighting of Red-throated Pipit at Crissy Field. The bird was hanging out in the huge lawn area and seems to favor the more diverse lawn with native deschampsia (tufted hair grass) clumps in it. Also while landscaping a yard with natives near The Green Hairstreak Corridor I had a city first for me. We found an Arboreal Salamander in a PVC pipe that we were replacing during the landscape process. This is a creature often associated with oak systems, but is also found in scrub. The other two SF [salamander] species are:
California Slender - the most common, very widespread worm-like salamander &
Ensatina Salamander - uncommon, with a few sightings for the Presidio and one at Pine Lake"
Woodland Skipper Found at Presidio
From Matt Zlatunich:
"On a Predidio butterfly survey yesterday (10/15), Liam O'Brien and I observed 174 individuals of 17 different species, including the first Presidio record of Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides), see photo below. The Woodland Skipper, whose larval host is perennial grasses, has been observed elswhere in San Francisco and was anticipated to be found within the Presidio."
Species Observed |
|
| Cabbage White | 20 |
| Orange Sulphur | 12 |
| Gray Hairstreak | 1 |
| Acmon Blue | 3 |
| Mylitta Crescent | 1 |
| California Tortoiseshell | 5 |
| Red Admiral | 3 |
| American Lady | 6 |
| Painted Lady | 8 |
| West Coast Lady | 11 |
| Common Buckeye | 5 |
| Monarch | 16 |
| Common Checkered Skipper | 12 |
| Fiery Skipper | 38 |
| Sandhill Skipper | 4 |
| Woodland Skipper | 1 |
| Umber Skipper | 30 |
Sights Visited |
Tennessee Hollow |
Crissy Field |
Lobos Valley |
Coastal Bluffs |
Dragonfly Creek |
Storey Seep |
Ft. Scott |
Thompson Reach |
Inspiration Pt |
Julius Kahn. |
The Woodland Skipper, found at Tennessee Hollow in the Presidio. Photo: Matt Zlatunich
Mayor Newsom Launches Rainwater Harvesting Initiative
October 9, 2008 - In an effort to further conserve San Francisco's pristine drinking water supply amidst a statewide drought, support sustainable greening of city yards and spaces, and help divert stormwater runoff from the City's sewer system, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Mayor Gavin Newsom today launched a new citywide initiative promoting "rainwater harvesting" the collection and re-use of rainwater for non-drinking purposes like outdoor irrigation and indoor toilet use.
"Rainwater harvesting is a simple, safe, and sustainable way to help conserve our precious drinking water supplies, green our City and protect our environment," said Mayor Newsom. "This initiative alone won't end the drought or fix our climate crisis, but reviving this ancient practice can be part of the solution to our modern challenges."
Read the full press release on the SFPUC website.
Join Nature in the City!
Become a member today and get a new map! Nature in the City is a project of Earth Island Institute, a 501(c)3 California non profit public benefit corporation. |
El Polin Springs & Tennessee Hollow Restoration
El Polin Springs is one of the newest Presidio restoration sites where dramatic changes are currently taking place. The ultimate goal is to create a local, riparian ecosystem where coast live oak, willow and alder, and birds, dragonflies and salamanders can thrive. Future volunteer days will be held at El Polin Springs on the 4th Saturday of each month.
The Presidio Trust is kicking off the restoration of the Tennessee Hollow Watershed with a special event at El Polin Springs:
Saturday, November 22
9am to 1 pm
Volunteers will meet at the Crissy Field Center at 9 am. A van-pool will be taken to the planting location. The actual planting will take place at El Polin Springs and will go until noon, followed by a lunch which will conclude at 1 pm.
RSVP Required: Please sign up by emailing or calling 561-5333.
Angel Island Fire
An Update from WildCare
As most San Francisco Bay Area residents know, Angel Island, the large state park in the middle of the Bay burned dramatically on Sunday evening, October 12, 2008. The flames spread across much of the eastern side of the island, and encroached heavily into the western side and down to the water in the south.
Firefighters responded to the blaze, and by Monday afternoon the flames were said to be 75% contained. Ultimately approximately 400 acres of the island were reduced to ashes.
Park personnel were on the alert for injured wildlife, but there have been no injured animals found yet. An additional concern is the post-conflagration destruction of habitat on the island which will leave many island-bound animals with fewer resources to survive the winter.
Go to WildCare's website for more information.
Tom's of Maine "River Stories" Video Contest
With approximately 50% of the drinking water in the United States coming from rivers, the need for clean water touches the lives of millions of Americans each and everyday.
From waterway cleanups to organizing educational programs, there are countless ways to learn how to protect local rivers. Through a Rivers Awareness Partnership™ program with American Rivers and River Network, Tom’s of Maine is looking to support and honor people that take an active role in their communities.
This year, the partnership focuses on “river heroes” who help improve water quality and inspire others to become involved. To salute these local citizens, Tom’s of Maine is launching its first-ever ‘River Stories’ Video Contest. The contest invites people to share their river preservation projects online as a way to draw attention to local efforts and volunteer opportunities.
Now through October 31, 2008, river supporters are invited to create their own, original video that demonstrates how they are making a positive impact on the rivers in their community. For complete contest rules click here!
One grand prize winner will be awarded a 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid!
California's Living New Deal Project
Check out the California's Living New Deal website! You can contribute your knowledge of New Deal projects through the "Get Involved" section, and view the multitude of projects that have already been identified and documented.
A new blog: David's EnviroNews Picks
Check out these "periodic posts of pertinent environmental news from David Assmann, Deputy Director of SF Environment." David's EnviroNews Picks
