Two Endangered Plants Added to the GGNRA

The GGNRA Acquires New Land and Two Endangered Species:

In December 2011, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area obtained land at Fort Point just south of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA. Along with it came an opportunity to recover the endangered marsh sandwort (Arenaria paludicola).

The marsh sandwort was said to occupy this area in the early 1900’s, but because of human development and other threats, it had been completely wiped out at Fort Point, and only ten individuals were known to exist in the wild.

It was therefore crucial to restore populations to a site where they were once abundant.

With the help of volunteers, a team of biologists, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.C. Santa Cruz, 800 marsh sandworts were recently planted at Fort Point and other wetlands in the GGNRA. The plants will need constant monitoring to measure survival rates to determine if the site is indeed an ideal location for reintroduction.

Another successful land acquisition by the GGNRA aids in the protection of Hickman’s Potentilla (Potentilla hickmanii).

After ten years and a battle with developers, the federally recognized endangered Hickman’s potentilla will be protected and restored at Rancho Corral de Tierra, a newly acquired GGNRA property in San Mateo County.

The Hickman’s potentilla can only be found in two places: Monterey County, CA and in San Mateo County, CA. This yellow wildflower needs coastal habitat to flourish, leaving it constantly pressured by urban developers who aspire to build profit-making high-rises and golf courses.

Thanks to the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), who fought to keep the land in its natural state, this species and other wildlife can thrive in the GGNRA for many years to come.

Although these two imperiled species are now known to be present in the Golden Gate National Parks, they will not be added to the GGNP Endangered Species Big Year competition until the official threatened & endangered species list for the park is revised.

The National Parks need help to protect and recover the many endangered species that exist in the GGNRA. Sign-up to volunteer or join Wild Equity on a habitat restoration day.