Mount Sutro
Volunteer Schedule | History | Stewardship Updates | Links | Articles
San Francisco magazine's editors and readers were asked to pick the people, places, and things that make the Bay Area the best place to live, work, and play. The votes were tallied and we are excited to reveal that the Mount Sutro Stewards are among the 'Best of' picks for 2009!! Our work in the UCSF Mt. Sutro Open Space Reserve wouldn't be possible without your help! Thus, this award is an acknowledgment of your support and contribution. Thank you for supporting the efforts of the Mt. Sutro Stewards! Please feel free to post your comments when you get to the article. |
Stewardship Updates
What a fantastic way to kick off the year on Mt. Sutro!
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The trail crew |
The Stewards and over 40 volunteers from One Brick, SF Urban Riders and the neighboring communities expended much energy and contributed another 150+ hours of labor to the Open Space habitat restoration and trail programs.
The habitat crew under the supervision of Jake Sigg and Rob Bakewell worked at numerous sites along the Historic Trail and continued to push back the invasive weeds, ivy and blackberry.
Meanwhile on the other side of the hill the trail crew, under the supervision of Dan Schneider and Dwayne McDaniel, took charge of a work in progress that was started last October. The technical and challenging section of trail just below the Fairy Gates Trail near Medical Center Way is being realigned for safety and to meet the standards established for the Mt. Sutro trail network. A huge amount of excavation was required for the full bench construction on the steep hillside. Not to make things any easier, the volunteers struck rock in the one remaining switchback corner needed for completion. The work was a huge success and the new alignment is now open. Some finishing work and replanting will take place next month before the Stewards move on to their next site.
There were several photographers among the volunteers who have provided links to their photos. Take a look and check out the Stewards' first big accomplishments of 2009.
Dustin's photos | Peter and Kristin's photos
History
Neighborhood residents have known and enjoyed the Mount Sutro Open Space for decades. The relative inaccessibility of the dense 61-acre eucalyptus forest has made Mount Sutro "the most remote place right in the heart of the City."
Several trails lead through the forest, but they need major repair. Native plant populations, including some species that are extremely rare in San Francisco, need to be protected and restored. The summit garden, a native plant demonstration project was funded with help from a $100,000 grant from the San Francisco Rotary Club. Hundreds of volunteers donated their labor to clear the summit of invasive weeds and plant natives.
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Compare the two aerial photos of the summit. The left is from 1958, the right is current with the roadway superimposed. Both are oriented the same direction & you can see the only remaining element of the base in both photos, the gatehouse at the bottom of Nike Road. The biggest difference is the intact rotary meadow in the right hand photo. A much more hospitable hiking environment! |
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UCSF, Mt. Sutro Volunteers, Nature in the City and the California Native Plant Society are collaborating together to restore and rejuvenate this precious natural and cultural resource. We hope to build support to connect the University's land and the adjacent Interior Greenbelt, managed by SF Rec and Park's Natural Areas Program into one contiguous parkland to serve the community as an oasis of serenity and biodiversity, welcoming anyone in need of peace, fresh air and a little exercise.
One day, during efforts to repair and expand the current trail system, Mt. Sutro volunteers, came climbing down a steep hillside and literally stumbled upon a previously unknown trail, buried under layers of brambles. The trail has since been unearthed and restored. We believe the remarkable trail dates back to before the 1906 Earthquake.
Upcoming Volunteer Days |
July 4th
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Volunteer
Volunteers for historic trail and habitat restoration are welcome to join us the 1st Saturday of every month. Meet at the Woods Lot on Medical Center Way at 9 am sharp. Download the volunteer schedule flyer for more information or visit to the Nature in the City Calendar.
Links
Mt. Sutro Open Space Reserve Managment Plan
Full Plan
Trail Map
Aerial Photo
Trail Restoration
Flora & Fauna
Volunteer Schedule
Yelper Review of Mt. Sutro Experience
SF Beautiful Contest Video
Articles
Best Run - SF Weekly Best of 2006
SF Beautiful Narrative
Mt. Sutro's Untold Understory
Mt. Sutro Forest Plan Calls for more Diversity of Species
Healing the Mt. Sutro Forest
Old age hits S.F. woods where Ishi once roamed
Farms, Fire and Forest
Sutro forest sparks fire-hazard concern