Serpentine Prairie Restoration
Next Phase: 2010

The Skyline Serpentine Prairie is home to one of Northern California’s richest arrays of native plants due to the serpentine rock found here. Rare plants living in the prairie include the endangered Presidio clarkia and rare Tiburon buckwheat along with many others. Decades of overuse have seriously impacted the natural environment. In September 2009, the Park District began the first phase of a major restoration project that included removing non-native trees and building a protection fence around the most impacted portion of the prairie.

The next phase of the restoration program will remove more exotic pines and hardwoods and continuing the adaptive management strategy to enhance precious resource.

The Park District will begin the next phase in the first or second week of September 2010. The exact date will depend on weather, soil conditions and contractor timing. The District anticipates this phase lasting no later than the end of October. Project work will include final tree removal inside the enclosure/protection area, tree removal adjacent to the Dunn Trail, and the removal of selected trees and tree shaping below the Richard C. Trudeau Center.  At times, there may be heavy equipment and temporary trail closure during work hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5pm. Alternate routes to use the park will be available. The parking area will be open at all times during regular park hours.

[Archive] Serpentine Prairie Restoration Project:
Phase I

• Why Preserve the Prairie?
• Fact Sheet
• Initial Study and Prairie Plan (CEQA)
• Prairie Plan
• Guide to Wildflowers of the Prairie
• Historic Photos, Before and After

Why Preserve the Prairie?

Message from Program Manager, David Amme

Download... HERE (120KB)

Message from Regional Parks Botanic Garden Dir., Steve Edwards

Download... HERE (22KB)

Interpretive Signs 

Download... HERE (1.6MB)

Info Panel Sign 

Download... HERE (710KB)  

Fact Sheet

Download... HERE (700KB)

Initial Study (CEQA)

Download... HERE (2.9MB)  

Prairie Plan, First Year Report 2010

Download... HERE (5.1MB)  

Guide to Wildflowers of the Prairie

Download... HERE (3MB, 19 pp.)

Historic Photos, Before and After

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project updates

Contact Information

David Amme

Project Manager

damme@ebparks.org

(510) 544-2344

Update August 2010:

Our long-range goal is to preserve and enhance the Serpentine Prairie so that future generations of East Bay residents can enjoy this Northern California treasure.  A 3-acre section of the prairie has been fenced for nearly one year.  The results have been encouraging with the expansion of the native grasses and wildflowers.  However, there have been some challenges. A high amount of rainfall last winter and spring has resulted in an abundance of non-native annual grasses and a late bloom season for the Presidio clarkia.  As resource experts, we know that any restoration program requires an adaptive management plan. The Stewardship staff is studying additional strategies for the prairie based on replicated test plots.  Future management strategies may include controlled sheep grazing, early mowing, and prescribed burns in selective areas. The greatest accomplishment to date is the positive reception of park visitors who are staying on the trails and assisting in the restoration of this rare resource.