CORONA HEIGHTS HABITAT RESTORATION
On a warm Saturday morning in March, GLS volunteers performed conservation work and learn about local plant life. GLS members Steve Neff and Jim Houillian led the March 29 habitat restoration day at Corona Heights in San Francisco. The group worked with Thomas from San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department’s Natural Areas Management Program and other volunteers.

Thomas enthusiastically pointed out an array of plants and wildflowers including coyote mint, blue dicks, checkerbloom, and California poppy. We learned about plants found on Corona Heights that have medicinal qualities, such as for halting the flow of blood and settling an upset stomach.

Jim Houillian has been volunteering at Corona Heights for many years. He recalls when radish, a familiar annual with purple and white flowers, was the predominate plant on these hillsides. Today’s variety of plants demonstrates how ongoing restoration work has greatly enhanced the biological diversity on the hilltop. If you haven’t visited Corona Heights, it’s worth a trip just for the vast view of San Francisco from the park’s hill peak.

One of our volunteers, Ingrid, has participated in many local restoration work parties, but on this day was participating in her first with GLS. Ingrid said, “I enjoy doing service work. As humans, we take and use Earth’s natural resources. When I work for habitat restoration, I am putting something back.”

As another of our GLS workers puts it, habitat restoration work is “...outdoors, with smart, great people engaged in the environment. It’s not a huge commitment, and it broadens our (Gay and Lesbian Sierrans’) exposure in the community. We’re not an insulated group keeping to ourselves.”

From early use as a hunting and gathering area for edible bulbs by the Ohlone Indians, to later use for cattle grazing, and then in the 1800’s as a quarry, this hilltop park has come full circle. Thanks in part to community volunteers like our GLS members, Corona Heights is once again close to being back to its natural state.

Corona Heights is the small, rocky peak that can be seen from the Castro. It can be reached from the Castro Muni Station by crossing Market and traveling north along Castro/Divisadero to Beaver Street. Turn left on Beaver, and follow it to where it appears to dead end. Take the staircase between the buildings (DeForest) by 145 Beaver, and continue across the street and up the steep, partially paved trail past the tennis courts and the Randall Museum. Soon you will encounter a steep set of stairs made from railroad ties up to Corona Heights, and if you look back, a stunning view of the city.

Come join us in one of our upcoming habitat restoration events and see for yourself how easy and satisfying it is to make a difference. Habitat restoration on Corona Heights takes place from 10 am to approximately 12 noon the last Saturday of every month.

For more information about workdays at parks and natural areas around San Francisco, go to the website of the local California Native Plant Society or the website of the San Francisco Neighborhood Parks Council.

--Linda Kettler, 2004

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