The News Blog is a place where updates to the guidebooks are posted. It is also a repository for news and information related to the state and national parks of the Bay Area, including upcoming events, benefits, and rallies to support our parks.
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Current News Blog page:
July 2010
News Blog Archive:
June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009
February 26, 2010
We acquire the strength we have overcome.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I had the opportunity to attend a lecture yesterday by Amy Meyer, who is considered to be the "Mother of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area." She told the story of how the GGNRA came into existence, starting with a neighborhood fight over construction of a massive National Archives building that was proposed for East Fort Miley, near Land's End. The fight to preserve the area gradually expanded to cover other areas around the Golden Gate, including the Marin Headlands and much of the San Francisco waterfront. The lecture, held at the Park Academy at Fort Scott, was very inspirational, giving hope to a group of Presidio volunteers and National Park Service employees. It seemed like it was so easy back then, but the hard work of people dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Bay Area was critical in achieving this great success. The battle won can only increase our determination to continue to protect and expand these precious lands.
February 25, 2010
I've started volunteering at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery, a great way to see first hand the transformation of the Presidio that is taking place at a rapid pace these days. One day I spent several hours planting native grass seeds into small plastic containers, which are put in the Mist House to sprout for several weeks. Later, when the grasses are big enough, they will be transplanted into areas around the Presidio where native vegetation is being restored. The grass seeds we've been planting have included Nassella pulchra, or Purple needlegrass, the state grass of California. Yes, California has a state grass, and purple needlegrass was chosen partly because it is the most well known native bunchgrass in the state, with an extensive range extending from the California-Oregon border to Baja California. Its seed was also used as an important food source by many California Native Americans.
Another day I made a "bucket run," riding around the Presidio with Jamie, a Presidio Trust intern, picking up buckets of coffee grounds at the cafés in the Warming Hut, the old Crissy Field Center, and the new Crissy Field Center. We brought the buckets back to the Nursery and poured them onto a big steaming compost pile, mixing them in with some horse manure to aid the composting process. I needed a good shower when I got home that day, but the experience was well worth it. The Presidio Native Plant Nursery is located at 1244 Appleton Street near Fort Scott, and has volunteer days Wednesday and Saturday, from 1:00-4:00 PM.
February 23, 2010
A couple of interesting stories on the wildlife front have appeared in the past few days. First, the disturbing story of sick and malnourished pelicans turning up throughout the Bay Area and along the California coast. The California brown pelican was on the brink of extinction in the 1970s due to the chemical DDT causing their eggs to thin. The pelican population dropped as low as 10,000 in 1970, causing it to be listed as an endangered species and leading to the federal ban on DDT in 1972. Their population has recovered considerably over the past three decades, and is currently estimated at 650,000. The species was removed from the endangered species list just last year, in November 2009. Now they face the new problem of malnutrition, although wildlife experts think they have uncovered the cause. El Niño related storms over the past months have churned up bay and ocean waters to such a degree that pelicans are having a hard time finding their preferred prey, such as anchovies and sardines. Hopefully this will be a short-term problem and pelican health will return and allow this beautiful bird to thrive once more.
Second, on a happier note, the sea lions are starting to return to Pier 39 in San Francisco. Their mysterious disappearance last fall left many people wondering where they had gone and why. Had they had their fill of the T-shirt shops and kitschy souvenirs of Fisherman's Wharf? After reaching a record number of 1,700 sea lions lounging on the docks in October, their numbers suddenly dwindled down to less than a dozen over a period of a couple of weeks. Large groups of sea lions were spotted down at Moss Landing, and others up on the Oregon coast, so speculation was that they had moved on in search of food. Now they appear to be coming back, at the same time that large herring schools have been reported along the coast of Contra Costa County.
February 22, 2010
I went on a hike last week around the Presidio, from Inspiration Point down to Tennessee Hollow and El Polín Spring. A lot of work is happening at El Polín, with vegetation being cleared and native plants reintroduced. Up on the hill above the valley, two old Army-era landfills are being removed, which has required the clearing of more than 100 trees. The Presidio Trust has posted flyers about the project, informing the public about the tree removal and the cleanup of the landfills, which contain construction debris and other waste. This project requires the closure of the stairway that goes up the hill above El Polín, which leads to the trail to Lover's Lane. This stairway will be closed for the duration of the project, which will probably be through the rest of this year. More information can be found on the Presidio Trust website.
This temporary closure of the trail out of El Polín requires an update to one of the hikes in A Visitor's Guide to the Presidio of San Francisco. The History and Nature Loop Hike has now been revised to go from El Polín Spring down MacArthur Avenue, meeting up with the old route at the footbridge at Lover's Lane. The revised hike description can be downloaded for free.
February 18, 2010
This photograph shows the proposed site for the next Andy Goldsworthy art installation in the Presidio of San Francisco. Entitled Wood Line, it will be an undulating line of salvaged eucalyptus branches that winds through the forest, gradually disintegrating over 20 years and becoming one with the forest floor. The artwork is intended to blend seamlessly into the landscape, presenting visitors with a new view of the historic forest, and raising awareness about the efforts to preserve and enhance it. The material for the piece will come from trees that have been cut down as part of various construction and habitat restoration projects around the Presidio, including the replacement of Doyle Drive that is well under way now. The site is well suited for such a work of art, with a small social trail forming a long corridor down through the deep forest. This type of project is a great way to combine art, education, and environmental awareness in a low impact manner that is consistent with the role of the Presidio as a unique national park.
I took a walking tour of the site this week, led by docents from the Presidio Trust, and learned about the project, which will be installed later this year if approved. The walk started at the old brick footbridge on Lover's Lane, and then we followed Lover's Lane up the hill to Presidio Bouldevard to an overlook of the site. Docents talked about the proposed project and the significance of the Presidio Forest, and then the walk continued back down the hill and through the site itself.
Another walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th at 10:00 AM. The Presidio Trust is seeking public comment on the project through March 22. More information can be found at http://www.presidio.gov/calendar/woodline.htm.
February 16, 2010
The old hospital at the Angel Island Immigration Station, up on the hill above the Detention Barracks, was used to treat and quarantine detainees who had contagious diseases. The hospital has been closed for decades, although plans are underway to develop it into a visitor center with exhibits, a genealogy center with information about the immigrants detained on Angel Island, group meeting rooms and administrative offices. Congress has just approved $1,000,000 in funding for the restoration and stabilization of the hospital, which needs to have hazardous materials removed, along with repairs to the roof, gutters, and water-damaged interior walls. The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is leading the drive to raise funds for this project, through federal appropriations, a $3,000,000 grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, and donations from individual supporters.
$1 from every sale of A Visitor's Guide to Angel Island is donated to the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation.
February 12, 2010
I took a guided tour today of the new Crissy Field Center building, which has just opened in the Presidio. The center is located just off of East Beach, near the Marina Gate. The new location was prompted by the massive demolition and renovation project of Doyle Drive, which put the former location in the midst of the contruction zone. The new building is attractive and innovative, a lesson in green design and a candidate for LEED certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to measure the environmental sustainability of a building. Certification is achieved by meeting goals in a number of different areas, including energy efficiency, reduction of water usage, recycling of construction materials, and innovative design that minimizes the environmental footprint of a building. The Crissy Field Center has applied for the Gold level of LEED certification, and with planned solar and wind power additions, the building could achieve Platinum certification, the highest level possible.
The Crissy Field Center provides educational programs focused on environmental issues, for students, children, and educators from around the Bay Area. They host special events, conferences, and an Earth Day weekend event called the "Earth Stroll," which emphasizes environmental awareness and a healthy lifestyle. The center was created by a partnership between the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Free guided tours of the Crissy Field Center are being offered each Friday at 4:00 PM, through March 26. Sign up online at at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy website.
Look for Way Out There Press on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=346012300719.
Become a fan and get news and updates on your News Feed.
Current News Blog page:
July 2010
News Blog Archive:
June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009
February 26, 2010
We acquire the strength we have overcome.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I had the opportunity to attend a lecture yesterday by Amy Meyer, who is considered to be the "Mother of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area." She told the story of how the GGNRA came into existence, starting with a neighborhood fight over construction of a massive National Archives building that was proposed for East Fort Miley, near Land's End. The fight to preserve the area gradually expanded to cover other areas around the Golden Gate, including the Marin Headlands and much of the San Francisco waterfront. The lecture, held at the Park Academy at Fort Scott, was very inspirational, giving hope to a group of Presidio volunteers and National Park Service employees. It seemed like it was so easy back then, but the hard work of people dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Bay Area was critical in achieving this great success. The battle won can only increase our determination to continue to protect and expand these precious lands.
February 25, 2010
I've started volunteering at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery, a great way to see first hand the transformation of the Presidio that is taking place at a rapid pace these days. One day I spent several hours planting native grass seeds into small plastic containers, which are put in the Mist House to sprout for several weeks. Later, when the grasses are big enough, they will be transplanted into areas around the Presidio where native vegetation is being restored. The grass seeds we've been planting have included Nassella pulchra, or Purple needlegrass, the state grass of California. Yes, California has a state grass, and purple needlegrass was chosen partly because it is the most well known native bunchgrass in the state, with an extensive range extending from the California-Oregon border to Baja California. Its seed was also used as an important food source by many California Native Americans.
Another day I made a "bucket run," riding around the Presidio with Jamie, a Presidio Trust intern, picking up buckets of coffee grounds at the cafés in the Warming Hut, the old Crissy Field Center, and the new Crissy Field Center. We brought the buckets back to the Nursery and poured them onto a big steaming compost pile, mixing them in with some horse manure to aid the composting process. I needed a good shower when I got home that day, but the experience was well worth it. The Presidio Native Plant Nursery is located at 1244 Appleton Street near Fort Scott, and has volunteer days Wednesday and Saturday, from 1:00-4:00 PM.
February 23, 2010A couple of interesting stories on the wildlife front have appeared in the past few days. First, the disturbing story of sick and malnourished pelicans turning up throughout the Bay Area and along the California coast. The California brown pelican was on the brink of extinction in the 1970s due to the chemical DDT causing their eggs to thin. The pelican population dropped as low as 10,000 in 1970, causing it to be listed as an endangered species and leading to the federal ban on DDT in 1972. Their population has recovered considerably over the past three decades, and is currently estimated at 650,000. The species was removed from the endangered species list just last year, in November 2009. Now they face the new problem of malnutrition, although wildlife experts think they have uncovered the cause. El Niño related storms over the past months have churned up bay and ocean waters to such a degree that pelicans are having a hard time finding their preferred prey, such as anchovies and sardines. Hopefully this will be a short-term problem and pelican health will return and allow this beautiful bird to thrive once more.
Second, on a happier note, the sea lions are starting to return to Pier 39 in San Francisco. Their mysterious disappearance last fall left many people wondering where they had gone and why. Had they had their fill of the T-shirt shops and kitschy souvenirs of Fisherman's Wharf? After reaching a record number of 1,700 sea lions lounging on the docks in October, their numbers suddenly dwindled down to less than a dozen over a period of a couple of weeks. Large groups of sea lions were spotted down at Moss Landing, and others up on the Oregon coast, so speculation was that they had moved on in search of food. Now they appear to be coming back, at the same time that large herring schools have been reported along the coast of Contra Costa County.
February 22, 2010I went on a hike last week around the Presidio, from Inspiration Point down to Tennessee Hollow and El Polín Spring. A lot of work is happening at El Polín, with vegetation being cleared and native plants reintroduced. Up on the hill above the valley, two old Army-era landfills are being removed, which has required the clearing of more than 100 trees. The Presidio Trust has posted flyers about the project, informing the public about the tree removal and the cleanup of the landfills, which contain construction debris and other waste. This project requires the closure of the stairway that goes up the hill above El Polín, which leads to the trail to Lover's Lane. This stairway will be closed for the duration of the project, which will probably be through the rest of this year. More information can be found on the Presidio Trust website.
This temporary closure of the trail out of El Polín requires an update to one of the hikes in A Visitor's Guide to the Presidio of San Francisco. The History and Nature Loop Hike has now been revised to go from El Polín Spring down MacArthur Avenue, meeting up with the old route at the footbridge at Lover's Lane. The revised hike description can be downloaded for free.
February 18, 2010This photograph shows the proposed site for the next Andy Goldsworthy art installation in the Presidio of San Francisco. Entitled Wood Line, it will be an undulating line of salvaged eucalyptus branches that winds through the forest, gradually disintegrating over 20 years and becoming one with the forest floor. The artwork is intended to blend seamlessly into the landscape, presenting visitors with a new view of the historic forest, and raising awareness about the efforts to preserve and enhance it. The material for the piece will come from trees that have been cut down as part of various construction and habitat restoration projects around the Presidio, including the replacement of Doyle Drive that is well under way now. The site is well suited for such a work of art, with a small social trail forming a long corridor down through the deep forest. This type of project is a great way to combine art, education, and environmental awareness in a low impact manner that is consistent with the role of the Presidio as a unique national park.
I took a walking tour of the site this week, led by docents from the Presidio Trust, and learned about the project, which will be installed later this year if approved. The walk started at the old brick footbridge on Lover's Lane, and then we followed Lover's Lane up the hill to Presidio Bouldevard to an overlook of the site. Docents talked about the proposed project and the significance of the Presidio Forest, and then the walk continued back down the hill and through the site itself.
Another walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th at 10:00 AM. The Presidio Trust is seeking public comment on the project through March 22. More information can be found at http://www.presidio.gov/calendar/woodline.htm.
February 16, 2010The old hospital at the Angel Island Immigration Station, up on the hill above the Detention Barracks, was used to treat and quarantine detainees who had contagious diseases. The hospital has been closed for decades, although plans are underway to develop it into a visitor center with exhibits, a genealogy center with information about the immigrants detained on Angel Island, group meeting rooms and administrative offices. Congress has just approved $1,000,000 in funding for the restoration and stabilization of the hospital, which needs to have hazardous materials removed, along with repairs to the roof, gutters, and water-damaged interior walls. The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is leading the drive to raise funds for this project, through federal appropriations, a $3,000,000 grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, and donations from individual supporters.
$1 from every sale of A Visitor's Guide to Angel Island is donated to the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation.
February 12, 2010I took a guided tour today of the new Crissy Field Center building, which has just opened in the Presidio. The center is located just off of East Beach, near the Marina Gate. The new location was prompted by the massive demolition and renovation project of Doyle Drive, which put the former location in the midst of the contruction zone. The new building is attractive and innovative, a lesson in green design and a candidate for LEED certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to measure the environmental sustainability of a building. Certification is achieved by meeting goals in a number of different areas, including energy efficiency, reduction of water usage, recycling of construction materials, and innovative design that minimizes the environmental footprint of a building. The Crissy Field Center has applied for the Gold level of LEED certification, and with planned solar and wind power additions, the building could achieve Platinum certification, the highest level possible.
The Crissy Field Center provides educational programs focused on environmental issues, for students, children, and educators from around the Bay Area. They host special events, conferences, and an Earth Day weekend event called the "Earth Stroll," which emphasizes environmental awareness and a healthy lifestyle. The center was created by a partnership between the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Free guided tours of the Crissy Field Center are being offered each Friday at 4:00 PM, through March 26. Sign up online at at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy website.