Park E-ventures Newsletter Archive

The Importance of So Much Little White Fluff

Sometimes it seems like San Francisco summer finally arrives in September/October. It seems the endless bank of fog finally lifts and the sun shines down upon us all—making Baker Beach a popular destination.

If you find yourself strolling down the sand ladder to enjoy some time on the beach, look out... more >>

Help Name a Shady New Building

The Presidio Native Plant Nursery—one of six nurseries in the Golden Gate National Parks—will soon open a long-awaited structure: a new 72’ by 110’ shadehouse!

A shadehouse is a structure used to house tender plants coming out of a greenhouse, as a way to harden them off and get them ready... more >>

Why Don't We Just Buy Plants to Restore the Parks?

By Betty Young
Director, Native Plant Nurseries

Some have asked: Why don’t we just buy plants from our local nurseries to restore the park? In short, the Parks Conservancy grows native plants from seed because such a practice increases the chances of the plants’ survival.

Volunteers help us collect seed from close-by... more >>

How a Seed Gets on the Move

If you’ve been out in the Golden Gate National Parks walking your dog recently, you may have noticed that your furry friend was covered in burrs. Plants are relentless in spreading their future generations far and wide—even going so far as to hitch a ride on your pet. In the... more >>

The Importance of Knowing What "Invasive" Means

Native. Indigenous. Non-native. Exotic. Invasive.

What do these words mean to you? No matter what the context, these terms have strong connotations. It's no wonder that volunteers sometimes balk when we use these hot-button terms to describe plant species existing in the Golden Gate National Parks. Also, we all make the... more >>

Native Plant Nurseries Build Bridges of Natural Habitat

With the build-up to the joyous celebration for the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th Anniversary, I can’t help but think of what this amazing icon means and the role it plays in our beloved Golden Gate National Parks. What does this beautiful landmark bridge?

The naturalist in me thinks of the... more >>

The Hunt for Bulbs in Redwood Creek Watershed

The Spring Equinox is almost upon us and it’s the time of year when we all wait for the rains to get the wildflower show started. At the Redwood Creek Nursery, though, we are collecting something a little different this year.

This year we are on the hunt for bulbs, specifically... more >>

A Bloomin' Good Time

The Big Show is back. One of the most beautiful natural phenomena in our Golden Gate National Parks, the spring wildflower display generally begins in March and reaches its peak in April and May. This year, however, splashes of color are hitting the landscape-sized... more >>

A Shamrock or a Sham?

People often equate four-leafed clovers with shamrocks—probably because both are said to bring luck—but the original significance of the shamrock is more closely tied to the sacredness of groups of three in Celtic tradition.

Interestingly, there is no one species known in Ireland to be... more >>

What's Hiding Under the Pines?

The seasonal game of hide and go seek has begun! There are many players involved, so it is good to know what you are up against. What am I talking about? Mushroom hunting of course.

This seasonal adventure game is one of my favorite winter... more >>