Now that this coronavirus catastrophe is interrupting my Wednesday routine of volunteering at Sutro Stewards Nursery, I have more time to weed, groom and appreciate my own backyard gardens.  

My past blog posts were all about the bird life that I found on Mount Sutro, from the Black Phoebe showing off in the Rotary Meadow to the Red-shouldered...

In the backyard of my home in the Western Addition, I get to play in about 400 square feet of dirt. Ten years ago, I started making a gradual switch to California natives, bringing home one or two plants at a time. With a few mature trees, and with tall buildings casting shade from the north and from the west, I knew I would have the best results w...

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea) is a favorite of hummingbirds or “flower kissers” as the Portuguese refer to them. This California native, which is also popular with bees and butterflies are at their showiest in spring. And now is a great time to enjoy this fragrant perennial.

S. spathacea, also known as Pitcher Sage, is a member of the min...

We are Edith and Paul Bourbin and we have been volunteering with Sutro Stewards for a number of years.  You may have seen us in the nursery or on Saturdays with the habitat crew. Ever since the lock-down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have both been struggling to get enough physical exercise.  One of the best ways of exercising is to walk; especi...

I think it is safe to say that this is a moment unlike any other in most of our lives. We are facing great change, great uncertainty and great loss. Here at Sutro Stewards, we still have the Mountain, but we can’t hold public programming there right now. Our staff has been brainstorming on how to bring nature to you as you are hunkered down in your...

The state of California is sheltered-in-place. We have been warned against all unessential activities, at the same time it has been acknowledged by public health agencies that time outdoors and in nature is still allowed and is essential to our health and wellbeing. As long as we are keeping 6’ of physical distance, being outdoors in public space h...

In a strange way, the corona virus feels like end times. It is silent proof of our globalized, shrinking world. Originating in China, it has taken just a few short months to spread across the globe. What happens on one side of the world impacts the functioning on the other, we see this now clearly in the face of the Corona virus pandemic. But the s...

We like to welcome one of our Spring Nursery and Conservation Interns, Allison! 

Hello, my name is Allison Gomez and I am a Spring intern at Sutro Stewards. I’m currently attending San Francisco State University where I am majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Latino/a Studies. I grew up in Los Angeles close to the beach and have al...

We are excited to welcome Ildiko Polony to the Executive Director role here at Sutro Stewards! 

Born in Oakland, California, Ildiko has been a lifelong environmentalist. She focused most of her energy on advocacy for action on climate change and has founded and led many projects and organizations including student groups and 350 San Francisco, found...