Even in cities, creeks flow! As cities are built, historic waterways generally get filled in, drained or piped underground. On Mount Sutro, we have a stream that has been buried for far too long! Woodland Canyon Creek begins at the summit of Mount Sutro with two tributaries that eventually converge in Woodland Canyon. Restoration of the canyon would result in a clear view of the creek and hopefully increase water flow. By planting native riparian species grown in our nursery, the canyon would serve as a biodiversity hotspot within Mount Sutro and San Francisco.
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After 18 months, check out what we've done so far!
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Partnerships
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We've formed a collaborative partnership with the landowners, UCSF, SFRPD and private residents.
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Invited Golden Gate Bird Alliance, California Native Plant Society, Nature in the City, SF Urban Riders and Livable City to partner on the vision and implementation of the project.
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Restoration
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Held 7 volunteer stewardship events in the canyon with 100 participants
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Removed weeds from 20,000 square feet of creek bed
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Grown 2,300 plants for our first native plant installation since the project began
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Collected thousands of native seed for dispersal in the canyon
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Promotion
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Media coverage includes The San Francisco Examiner and the Frisc.com
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Created this Fundraising video
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Offered 2 watershed walks to the local community
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Outreach at the Inner Sunset Farmers Market for D7 Participatory Budgeting to fund tree removal in woodland canyon
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Planning and Design
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Convened a collaborative vision workshop with 30 participants including members of UCSF, SFRPD, private landowners where the creek culverts, Golden Gate Bird Alliance, California Native Plant Society, Nature in the City, SF Urban Riders, Livable City, the Presidio Trust, SF Environment Department and Sutro Stewards core volunteers.
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We're getting ready to do a lot more!
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Plant over 2,000 native plants in the canyon - sign up for our next volunteer program to be a part of this!
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Unveil our collaborative vision for the creek
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Create a healing garden with interpretive signage and a seating area
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Continue to fundraise for a comprehensive design with a full hydrological analysis
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Launch a capital campaign to raise funding for full implementation
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Get Involved!
We hold regular stewardship events in the canyon to clear the invasive species that prevent native plants from thriving and suck up soil water.
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Sign up below for our next volunteer event!​
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Please fill out the waivers below!
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Donate to support this urban watershed!
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We are actively building this campaign and are seeking help with:
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Communications and PR
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Graphic illustration
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Web design and social media
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Grant research and fundraising
Contact Ildiko(at)sutrostewards.org to get involved.
Where Does the Creek Flow?
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Woodland Canyon Creek begins at the summit of Mount Sutro in two tributaries that converge in Woodland Canyon. The creek flows from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), property through San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (SFRPD) land and disappears into a pipe near Stanyan street. The seasonal creek can be heard after a heavy rain, but the creek is never seen because it is hidden under so much overgrowth.
Restoration of the canyon would result in a clear view of the creek, could result in increased water flow due to removal of the dense vegetation which sucks up water, and by planting native riparian species grown in the Sutro Stewards Nursery, would serve as a biodiversity hotspot within Mount Sutro and San Francisco. Restoring this creek represents an opportunity to build community, enhance habitat for birds and butterflies and increase local resilience to drought and climate change.
We are excited to be working in collaboration with UCSF and SFRPD, neighbors and Mount Sutro enthusiasts, to enhance biodiversity within Woodland Canyon Creek, open vistas and maintain long-term sustainable stewardship of the creek and watershed into perpetuity.
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