Greetings San Mateo Volunteers
Welcome to the San Mateo e-newsletter specifically for park volunteers most interested in news and work being done in the Golden Gate National Parks in San Mateo County. In this newsletter we will highlight the critically important volunteer efforts underway at Mori Point, Milagra Ridge, and neighboring sites.
We also have separate updates for our park stewardship programs in Marin and San Francisco. If you would like to receive updates for these regions, please contact: parkstewardship@parksconservancy.org and let us know which update you are interested in. You can also check out our website for more information.
In This Issue:
Did You Know: San Bruno Elfin Butterfly Monitoring - A Success
Friend and Foe: San Francisco Wallflower & Summer Mustard
Park Academy
San Mateo Volunteer Opportunities
Did you know?
San Bruno Elfin Butterfly Monitoring - A Success!
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| Pacific stonecrop Sedum spathufolium |
With trained eyes and delicate steps, a team of Parks Conservancy butterfly monitors searched through rocky outcrops and grassy slopes for the endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly. The San Bruno elfin lives only on the steep northern slopes of coastal hillsides where its succulent host plant, Pacific stonecrop (Sedum spathufolium), remains rooted. Currently, the San Bruno elfin is known in only a few locations: Milagra Ridge, San Bruno Mountain, Montara Mountain, and Whitty Ridge.
Despite careful surveys, this endangered animal has only been seen once on Milagra Ridge’s fog encrusted slopes over the past three years, leading to concerns that it might soon become extirpated (locally extinct) from the site. So, imagine the euphoria when not one, but eight caterpillars were spotted in a single day this past May at Milagra Ridge!
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San Bruno elfin butterfly
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So what was it about this year that allowed the butterfly monitors to spot 43 San Bruno elfin larvae at Milagra Ridge? While we don’t know for sure, one thing that was noticed was how the heavy rains this year benefited the stonecrop and allowed a drastic increase in stonecrop inflorescences. The increase in larva food could have helped the larvae survive and brought these hidden wonders out of hiding and within easy sighting of our butterfly monitors.
While we can not take credit for the weather, everyone who is out helping the park by pulling invasive weeds, donating money, growing plants, or any of the many ways to get involved volunteering in the park can pat themselves on the back for the good work that they have done. By protecting our parks we are allowing the many miracles of life, seen and unseen like the San Bruno elfin, to continue for many generations to come.
Friend and Foe
Featured Flora:
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| San Francisco Wallflower Erysimum franciscanum |
Common Name: San Francisco Wallflower, Franciscan Wallflower
Scientific Name: Erysimum franciscanum
Flowering Season: February-June
Brief Description: This rare, perennial species of the Mustard Family—Brassicaceae—sports a four-petal cross-shaped flower, common to its family. Flowers range from white to yellow and are sometimes even orange. In the Presidio, they can be found in coastal dune scrub and serpentine slopes. The leaves are narrow and toothed. Flowers grow in clusters on top of stems, and seed pods extend from the stem at a 45 degree angle. The plant grows up to two feet in height.
Interesting Facts: California’s state rock, serpentine, is very low in nutrients and is inhospitable for many non-native plants. Fortunately, the San Francisco wallflower is able to thrive on the rock. The endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly’s diet largely depends on the San Francisco wallflower. Due to its limited abundance, however, the plant is actively being monitored in the Presidio.
Featured Foe:
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| Summer Mustard Hirschfeldia incana |
Common Name: Summer Mustard, Shortpod Mustard
Scientific Name: Hirschfeldia incana
Flowering Season: May-October
Brief Description: Similar to the San Francisco wallflower, summer mustard also has yellow flowers that grow in clusters at the top of the stems. The flowers have four petals in a cross shape similar to plants of the mustard family, including the San Francisco wallflower. Summer mustard has very slender smooth stems and thin upper leaves. The lower leaves are very large and lobed. The plant produces short linear seedpods that usually contain only one seed near the flower head. The plant grows up to four feet tall.
Interesting Facts: Summer mustard is commonly found in newly disturbed areas before natives are able to re-colonize. Summer mustard then continues to spread to the surrounding undisturbed areas, displacing native plants. This plant is very common and very invasive!
Park Academy
Park Academy: Enrichment Classes for Staff and Volunteers
Park Academy provides special learning opportunities for park staff and volunteers. These are just a few of the Park Academy Classes that you can attend as a volunteer in our park. Check the calendar to register for a class and see more amazing opportunities like these.
Park Academy Class: Hazardous Communications
September 14, 2010
8:30 am-Noon
Location: Presidio of San Francisco
Park Academy Class: Historic Tree Tour of the Presidio
September 21, 2010
9-11:30 am
Location: Presidio of San Francisco
Park Academy Class: Public Information Strategies
September 28, 2010
2-3:30 pm
Location: Presidio of San Francisco
Building 1216, the location of many Park Academy classes, is located at 1216 Ralston Avenue in the Presidio. Click here for a map (building is just south of marked location). Upon entering the building, walk down to the end of the hallway to your right. Space is limited. Please register through the Park Calendar in advance.
For more information about these and other Park Academy classes, contact Clara Voigt at cvoigt@parkacademy.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
San Mateo Volunteer Workday September 11 at Mori Point.
Directions & Program Information
- Workdays are from 10 am to 1 pm.
- Directions: Click here for directions to our sites.
- Carpool: We offer limited carpool; volunteers should arrive no later than 9:15 am at our office in Fort Mason, San Francisco, Building 34N for a ride. An RSVP sent to Elana Garfinkle, egarfinkle@parksconservancy.org will help guarantee you a seat.
- What to Bring: Please be prepared for changing weather, dress in layers, and wear sturdy shoes and clothing that can get dirty.
- We Provide: Tools, training, and snacks and water during break.
Group programs or tours are available. Schedule a private program for group of 10 or more. Contact Price Sheppy at (415) 561-3073 or psheppy@parksconservancy.org for more information.
Mark Your Calendar: National Public Lands Day and California Coastal Cleanup Day is happening September 25, 2010.
Thank you for loving your park and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Price Sheppy and the Park Stewardship Team
“All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.” -Abraham Lincoln
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