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Plants Fungi

Alcatraz Historic Gardens
Park E-Ventures Article

Unearthed: Secrets of Alcatraz Gardens’ Ribbon-Winning Compost

We caught up with “Chief Composting Officer” Dick Miner to get the scoop on Alcatraz Historic Gardens’ award-winning compost—and learn some tips for your own.
Presidio Native Plant Nursery
Park E-Ventures Article

Our Expert Tips for Planting Your Native Plant Garden

The rainy winter is when we plant thousands of native plants at restoration sites all across the Golden Gate National Parks. You can do the same in your garden at home, with these tips from experts at our Presidio Native Plant Nursery.
Cobweb Thistle
Park E-Ventures Article

Eight Spookiest Plants in the Golden Gate National Parks

They’re green. They’re ghoulish. And they’re right here in the Golden Gate National Parks. Because of their name, their look, or their poison, these boo-tanical specimens are fit for a witch’s brew, a Halloween party, or a little shop of horror. Read on, if you dare….
Tennesee Vallery Nursery
Park E-Ventures Article

Tennessee Valley Nursery Closes; Its Legacy Grows On

Established in 1987, the Tennessee Valley Nursery closed its nearly 30-year run in May 2016. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, the facility produced thousands of plants for habitat restoration sites all across the parks. In this video, hear from some of the amazing people who made it all possible.
Oakland star tulip (Calochortus umbellatus), Marin Municipal Water District, Mt. Tamalpais, © Rob Badger and Nita Winter
Park E-Ventures Article

Flower Power: Photo Exhibit Seeds Hope in Mitigating Climate Change

Supported in part by the Parks Conservancy, an exhibition of wildflower photos by Rob Badger and Nita Winter (through March 27, 2016 at the San Francisco Main Public Library) inspires hope in reducing the impacts of climate change. See more beautiful images, captured in our parks.
Past and present volunteers at the Redwood Creek Nursery closing celebration.
Park E-Ventures Article

A Nursery Closes, But Its Legacy Grows On

For 23 years, the Redwood Creek Nursery grew hundreds of thousands of native plants for restoration sites in Muir Woods and throughout the watershed. We salute the nursery with a video featuring lovely black and white photos, and voices of some amazing staff and volunteers who gave it life.
Small butterfly with open, bronze-colored wings, becoming blue towards her abdomen
Park E-Ventures Article

Where in the Parks Can You Find the Mission Blue?

It’s mission blue butterfly season in the Golden Gate National Parks, and you can catch a glimpse of this endangered species at Milagra Ridge. Learn about this diminutive butterfly—and the plant upon which its survival depends.
Weeding, gardening
Park E-Ventures Article

Def-eating Weeds: A Holiday Feast of Nonnative Plants

Across the parks, volunteers root out nonnative plants to help restore wildlife habitat. But did you know that those weeds can be quite tasty? Just in time for holiday meals, enjoy these recipes that use nonnative species found in the Bay Area!
Park E-Ventures Article

“Cat” Café: Quick and Easy Cattail Recipes

Chew on this: cattails, those distinctive wetland plants, make for a tasty snack (or entrée)! Step into our Park Stewardship test kitchen as we share tips on preparing and cooking different parts of the cattail. You’ll find these recipes to be the cat’s pajamas!
Presidio Native Plant Nursery staff
Park E-Ventures Article

Oh, How We Have Grown

In 1997, there was no organized nursery program, restoration work was relatively small-scale, and greenhouses were made of pipes and plastic sheets. From that humble start, Betty Young led nursery staff and dedicated volunteers in growing over 2 million plants. On the eve of Betty’s retirement, hear her story.