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 86 volunteers who have subscribed to our regular email newsletters and work at this site. They have posted 87 photos and 21 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.
Work Party on Casino Hill
25 April 2008 - 21:03, jfred decker said:
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Dylan, a gardener on the Natural Areas staff wields loppers against Ivy on the Southern point of Casino Hill. The well-attended work party got a very good start on rolling back an exceptionally dense Ivy infestation reaching all the way to the sandy open scrub on the peak.
This photo, courtesy of volunteer Teresa Lawler, looks down the steep hillside toward Bunny Meadow.
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Oak Woodland Update
08 April 2008 - 20:48, rcbakewell said:
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Thanks to Gloria Koch-Gonzalez for her arranging to have the broken down bench removed from the Oak Woodland trail that prallels Fulton between Willard N and Arguello Blvd entrance. This trashed bench had been an eyesore and attracted garbage – two months ago someone saw fit to dump a sofa at that spot. Anyway, this area of the Oak Woodland has undergone a transformation – the trail and sitelines have been opened up, campsites have been removed and ivy cleared from the oak trees. The 3rd av / Fulton native slope is showing well, responding to recent plantings and regular follow-up. The plants and shrubs are filling in and some are flowering right now. The Fulton border, from Arguello Entrnce to near 4th Av , has been cleared of Cape Ivy and planted with such as coffee berry , ceanothus, sticky monkey flower and california currant. We also seeded lupine and phacilia. This section of Fulton south sidewalk is now more utilized by the public and affords views into the Oak Woodland. The 2nd Av / Fulton entrance to the Woodland is getting increased foot traffic – joggers, dog walkers and families with kids. This is a welcome change from a year or two ago when heavy invasive brush bordering Fulton, extending down into the hollow, and vagrant campers discouraged people from enjoying this remarkable place that is Coon hollow and surrounding areas. Please join us for the upcoming 2nd Sat AM workparty 4/12 , meeting in front of the Conservatory of Flowers. You can join us each month – 2nd Sat at 10 AM. ROB BAKEWELL
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