Habitat Restoration at the San Francisco Zoo

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In 1999 a pond was created to the north of the Lurie Education Center to serve as a native wetlands demonstrations area. The pond currently provides habitat for a variety of birds but modifications to the floor of the pond and the vegetation would likely increase the diversity of wildlife that would live in the pond. Improvements include increasing the amount of open water, adding diversity to the native vegetation, and increasing the types of bottom substrates. Habitat enhancements include maintaining a channel connecting areas of open water on either side of the pond, increasing the types of bottom substrates and increasing the variety of native vegetation in and around the pond.

In 2007, we will develop a simple landscape design and guidelines for regular tule management (pruning) to ensure the presence of both dense tules and open water. We will also hand-dredge sediment from portions of the bottom and add new substrate types in order to diversify bottom topography. This work should increase the number of benthic aquatic organisms thereby increasing the food available to invertebrates, amphibians, fish and birds.

Dates: February 11 and March 11.

Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Where: San Francisco Zoo, Entry Village - the Lurie Education Center.

What to Wear and Bring: Wear boots (rubber boots if you have them) or sturdy shoes and work clothes. Plan on getting wet; you my want to bring rain pants or a change of clothes. Bring your willingness to work - the Zoo will provide tools.

Goals for February

Clear tule stocks and some rhizomes from west edge of pond
Move gravel and sand to areas of pond bottom
Plant new aquatic plants
Remove selected non-native plants
Plant natives outside of pond
Move debris to green waste bin

Goals for March 11

Plant additional native - where work won't disturb nesting birds
Install signs
General clean up

For more information, please contact Michael Martin at mmartin@goldengateaudubon.org or (510) 843-7295.