*For more calendar items, as well as regular volunteer opportunites, go to the Nature in the City Calendar to view all posted events.

Fish Phone

So let's say you're out for a night on the town, getting ready to order dinner, but aren't sure if you should eat the shrimp or not. You check your wallet, but the handy Monterey Bay Acquarium Seafood Watch isn't there; oh no! What to do? Now you don't have to worry, as the guide is available as a text-messaging service aptly named FishPhone.

Just text 30644 on your cell phone with the message "FISH" and the fish you want to know about; a matter of seconds later, you'll have an answer about the relative sustainability of your potential meal. 

8-9 PM on October 20th

Lights Out San Francisco is a citywide energy conservation event on Oct. 20, 2007. On this night, the entire city of San Francisco is invited to install one compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour. Visit the Lights Out office at 2548 Mission St. or give them a call at 1-415-643-LOSF for more information.

How to Go Green

A new study by the Urban Land Institute called "Growing Cooler: Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change" confirms that compact development -- mixing housing and businesses in denser patterns, with walkable neighborhoods -- could do as much to lower emissions as fuel economy increases. The report notes that the expected 59% increase in the number of miles Americans drive between 2005 and 2030 will outpace any reduction in greenhouse gases from better fuel efficiency of cars and trucks.

News

35 Year Park Anniversary

Thirty five years ago, this incomparable area of the United States became a National Park.  The National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy invite you, who daily serve these lands, and their visitors to join in on a look back at the people and events that shaped this park.  We will hear from those who were there about how the dream became a reality.      

Monday, October 22, 2007
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Fort Mason Officers Club
 "Looking Back at our History" presentations will begin at 10:15.

Light refreshments will be served.

** Staff,  park partners, and volunteers are invited to attend 
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Green Drinks

Wedensday, November 7. 2007

The 2008 GGNRA Big Year will sponsor  SF Green Drinks, the monthly happy hour for the environmental movement in San Francisco. Free Drinks for the first 33 people to attend. Varnish Fine Art, 77 Natoma Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Open to the public.

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Native Plant Sales!

This is an opportunity to find some of the native plant species that aren't readily available at garden centers. The plants are all propagated from seeds and cuttings which were gathered in San Francisco or Montara and San Bruno mountains. They are grown by chapter volunteers and by Go Native Nursery. There will be a large selection of plants whose flowers attract pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, moths, and birds. This year there will be sections devoted to edible and medicinal plants, hard-to-find plants, as well as the garden stalwarts. Horticultural experts, including Jake Sigg and Christopher Campbell, will be available at the sale for consultation. Any chapter member who renews an annual membership at the sale will receive a four-inch plant as a "thank you" gift. New members who sign up at the sale will receive a gallon plant such as Ceanothus thyrsiflorus as a "thank you" gift. 

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Good News at Rec and Park
 
San Francisco Recreation and Parks’ (RPD) Natural Areas Program manages 31 sites all over town, which comprise 27% of the RPD land area. They attempt to accomplish this feat with 2% of the staff and 1% of the budget of the rest of the RPD. Nature in the City has been working very diligently with the entire San Francisco ecological conservation community to advocate for stronger support for the City’s natural areas and Recreation and Parks’ Natural Areas Program.
 
The Natural Areas Plan & the 2008 Park Bond
- On Thursday, October 4th, the Recreation and Park Commission voted unanimously to award the approximately $750,000 contract for an EIR on the Natural Areas Plan to Tetratech, Inc. This was a victory, because plenty of anti-nature folk were at the meeting trying to persuade the Commission that, essentially, we should not manage for nature in the city. The vote was a positive step, but it’s just the beginning of a long public process. However, we can take a breath now, and start laying the groundwork for building what we would like to become massive community support for the Natural Areas Plan and EIR.
 
- On Wednesday, October 3rd, the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee voted unanimously in favor of the 2008 Park Bond, which includes $5,000,000 for nature trail restoration in our natural areas. The Full Board will vote next week. Stay tuned for any action alert that we might send for that meeting.
 
- On Monday, September 24th, the Recreation and Park Commission voted unanimously in favor of the 2008 Park Bond.
 
What you can do:
Write to the Recreation and Park Commission & the General Manager and thank them for their support for the public process around the Significant Natural Resource Areas Management Plan and for their support of the 2008 Park Bond.

And a big thank you to everyone who has given their support to the Natural Areas Plan! These victories would not have been possible without you.

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Nature and FLEET Week

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service are taking steps this week to better protect the Presidio's sensitive natural areas and endangered species habitats from an enthusiastic public. 

They have put up about 50 hand made signs in various locations (30 of which will be in the Crissy Field Dunes Area).

The GGNRA has arranged for law enforcement from CHP in addition to Park Police to keep order. If you see people  in the dunes where KEEP OUT signs are posted, please notify dispatch at 561-5510. Someone will be sent to the site. You are encouraged to avoid getting personally involved.
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Department of the Environment
Nature in the City
Cole Hardware
Brower Youth Awards
Lights Out SF
California Native Plant Society
Presidio