Oak Woodlands Description
The Oak Woodlands in Golden Gate Park are the remnants of the only “forested” area originally within the 49 square miles of San Francisco. These coastal live oaks grow in sheltered ravine areas and, remarkably, were left intact when Golden Gate Park was created by removing all the native dune plant communities and planting non-native grasses and ornamental plants.
The chief management challenges in this project include coping with the dominant understory weeds — English ivy, cape ivy, blackberry, and ehrharta grass. The other problem that the Oak Woodlands project faces to a greater degree than any other remnant natural area in the City is the ever-present contingent of homeless and their encampments. Here is the management plan.
Through strong volunteer leadership, the Oak Woodlands project has enjoyed one of the most rapidly-increasing rosters of new volunteers. These folks have made huge gains in recovery of the biological diversity of this remarkable area.
Oak Woodlands currently has 90 volunteers who have subscribed to our regular email newsletters and work at this site. They have posted 113 photos and 25 posts to their blog.
Regular Workparty Schedule
- 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 12:00
Regular Meeting Location
- Conservatory of Flowers -- [Map and Details]
Blog Posts
Here are blog posts about the Oak Woodlands project — presented 2 at a time in reverse chronological order. Browse to earlier or later posts via the pagination controls below.
Aug 4-5 2012 Oak Woodlands Nature Trail Event
30 August 2012 - 21:32, rcbakewell said:
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This event was a smashing success … 20 volunteers over two days built 0.3 miles of trail … the new McLaren Hts section and the Fuchsia Hts. section.
Thanks of course to all the staff of the Natural Areas Program, V-O-Cal and Director Cathy Moyer and Friends of the Oak Woodlands Golden Gate Park.
Also thanks to REI and Alaskan Beer!
The V-O-Cal work leaders were great , broke down the volunteers into smaller groups for specific section projects.
About 40 people camped overnite at Fuchsia Dell and we all enjoyed the hot meals prepared by arrangement of V-O-Cal staff.
Excellent food BTW .. including hors d’oeuvres , a choice of two entrees and dessert .. ice cream, chocolate wafers and caramelized peaches.
So come on over to the Woodlands and check out the results.
Soon, the Park Bond 2008 funded work will begin on the Nature Trail.. which wends its way thru the Coast Live Oak Woodlands for about a mile from JFK / Conservatory Dr. to 6th and Fulton.
BTW , the regular work party on August 13 followed up with excellent habitat work in the Woodland grove just west of the Ghirardelli Pinic Shelter.
The Next work party on Sep 8 takes place at the GG Park Nursery.
Best
Rob B
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Oak Woodlands FEBRUARY 2012
17 February 2012 - 20:47, rcbakewell said:
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Howdy All,
The last 3 work parties have exceeded expectations – each one more than 15 participants.
We have planted roughly 250 native shrubs at 3 restoration sites , including Lick Hill and North Horseshoe Courts and Arguello Rise.
Slope stabilization is critical above the Courts and a fine variety of shrubs such as Coyote Bush, Ceanothus, Coffee Berry , Lizard Tail, Heather, Buckwheat and a scattering of native wildflowers is building great habitat.
Arguello Rise ( east Coon Hollow ) is filling in with an equally fine variety of native shrubs – we’re looking for fine color and texture to welcome visitors walking the planned Oak Woodlands Trail into Coon Hollow.
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