Sunday, 16 August, 9:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.
Field Trip 1: Presidio of San Francisco
OFFICIAL Web Site Presidio of San Francisco
Departs from the State Drive entrance to the main parking garage on the San Francisco State University campus (map).

The Presidio of San Francisco was in constant use as a military post for two centuries, beginning in 1776 when Spanish soldiers established a fort in the vicinity of El Polin springs in the Tennessee Hollow watershed. After a brief occupation by the Mexican army, the U. S. Army occupied the site in 1846. Some San Francisco citizens camped in the Presidio after the homes had been destroyed in the 1905 earthquake. Today, the Presidio is the nation’s largest urban national park. The U. S. Army transferred it to the National Park Service in 1994. A number of major environmental restoration projects are underway within the Presidio as well as archeological sites that have unearthed elements of the past history of the area. This excursion will visit El Polin Springs, significant restoration sites, and sites that address park programs in issues of sustainability.

Led by Bill Berry (Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley) and Mark Frey (Presidio Trust), four stops are planned for this excursion:
1. The nursery area to see native plant cultivation methods, recycling and composting projects, stewardship, and other sustainability programs.
2. El Polin Springs in the Tennessee Hollow watershed. This area was inhabited by Native Americans until the Spanish arrived. We will learn about the history of the area, see archeological sites, learn of the geology of the area, including a serpentenite with its rare and endemic plants, examine the central stream in the Tennessee Hollow watershed and learn of restoration programs for the site now underway.
3. A restored (daylighted) portion of the Tennessee Hollow creek. The site was used by the army as a waste dump.  Today, the creek has been exposed and the channel restored. Plantings there include 156 native plant species, many of which came from the nursery visited in stop 1. We will learn how the restoration program was designed and see how it has progressed.
4. Crissy Field Center. At this site, the multi-million dollar restoration of what had been the site of the 1913 Panama Pacific Exposition built on filled wetlands will be discussed and examined. The Crissy Field center includes laboratories, a computer center and a library used by students in San Francisco high school students to enhance science education. Information about certain of the student project-based learning programs will be presented.

Includes transportation, any entrance fees, and box lunch. Limited to 12 minimum and 28 maximum participants. Cost: $25.

Includes transportation, any entrance fees, and box lunch. Limited to 12 minimum and 23 maximum participants. Cost: $50.

Includes transportation, any entrance fees, and box lunch. Limited to 21 participants. Cost: $25.

Thursday, 20 August, 7:30 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m.
Field Trip 3: Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
OFFICIAL Web Site Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
Departs from the State Drive entrance to the main parking garage on the San Francisco State University campus (map).

This field trip, led by Philippe Cohen (Administrative Director, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve) and Cindy Wilber (Education Coordinator, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve) will include some or all of the following components:

Research taking place at the Preserve. The research ranges from invasive species ecology to the Jasper Ridge Global Change Experiment. The Jasper Ridge Global Change Experiment is a ten-year experiment that has exposed grassland plots to four global environmental changes, including elevated carbon dioxide, warming, nitrogen deposition, and precipitation. Stanford Researchers are also studying the affects of invasive ants on Jasper Ridge ecosystems. In particular, they are studying the spread of Argentine ants through Jasper Ridge, and how they are affecting important mutualisms between native ant and blue butterflies. In addition, they are exploring ways to control for Argentine ants in plant nurseries and in open space preserves.

Searsville Dam and surrounding environs and the cornucopia of issues associated with trying to decide the future should of a 120+ year old dam. Searsville Dam is a prototype for the challenges of managing old dams in sensitive environments. We will meet on the dam for an overview of the dam, its reservoir, and the complex web of issues surrounding its operation and future.

Hike through some of the richest habitat in the Santa Cruz mountains. Although the Preserve is a little less than 1,200 acres, its habitats represent over 10% of the California flora. This remarkable biological diversity will be readily visible as we hike through a broad range of habitats, from riparian woodland to serpentine grassland, from wetlands to oak savanna and chaparral.

Brief tour of Jasper Ridge's award winning green building, the Leslie Sun Field Station. Learn about the many energy and material saving strategies used in Stanford's first green building - the Leslie Shao-ming Sun Field Station. In 2005, the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment honored the building as one of the nation's 8 most sustainable projects in 2005.

This excursion includes about two hours/four miles of  hiking, with a couple of steep sections over which a person in reasonably good shape should have no problem. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes and bring a hat and sunscreen. There is some occasional poison oak along the trails and roads so long pants rather than shorts are recommended.

Includes transportation, all fees, and box lunch. Limited to 21 participants. Cost: $40.

Thursday, 20 August, 8:30 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m.
Field Trip 5: Natural History of Marin County
OFFICIAL Web Site Mt. Tamalpais State Park
OFFICIAL Web Site Pt. Reyes National Seashore
OFFICIAL Web Site Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Departs from the State Drive entrance to the main parking garage on the San Francisco State University campus (map).

Marin County has a rich diversity of habitats and an especially diverse assemblage of plant communities. Led by Terry Gosliner, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology, California Academy of Sciences, this full-day excursion will take you to many of these diverse areas spanning both the North American and Pacific Plates.

The trip will depart from San Francisco State University campus, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and stopping at Bootjack Picnic Area at Mount Tamalpais State Park. Here we will hike about 1.5 miles each way through mixed evergreen, chaparral and serpentine habitats to observe the profoundly different habitats and abrupt changes depending on soil types.

From Mt. Tamalpais we will travel to Pt. Reyes National Seashore, stopping at several key locations along the way. The differences between plant communities as we transition from the North American Plate to the Pacific Plate will be evident as we enter Bishop Pine forests, coastal scrub and strand communities, ending at the Point Reyes Lighthouse. We return via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, passing by Samuel P. Taylor State Park and returning back across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Coastal California can be hot (in the 90’s) and may also include fog and strong winds and temperatures in the 50’s at Pt. Reyes. It is important to have sun block, hats and protective clothing. It is advisable to dress in layers depending on the weather. Also, be sure to wear hiking shoes or boots suitable for the three mile hike. Be prepared for moderately steep portions of trails and then more level walks along a fire road.

Includes transportation, all fees, brief habitat descriptions and species lists of dominant organisms, and box lunch. Limited to 15 minimum and 23 maximum participants. Cost: $50.