San Francisco’s Butterfly Walk (Fort Mason)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Join a walk and training that will give you the tools to become a Monarch Monitor and track the overwintering butterflies in San Francisco
Monarch butterflies attract attention thanks to their beauty, the wonders of migration, and metamorphosis – but unfortunately the species is “in crisis”. We’ll share a secret: SF is one of the earliest places monarchs have been documented in CA and they’re still here!

Join us for a morning full of visits to SF overwintering sites to learn observation tips, how to be a community scientist, and what we each can do to help. This opportunity has been timed to have us participate in the 25th Annual Western Monarch Count .

We’ll meet at the Fort Mason Community Gardens to look for monarchs nectaring among the flowers and at the nearby overwintering site. We’ll then carpool to Rob Hill on the Presidio to examine this historically reconstructed overwintering refuge.

Walk Leader: Mia Monroe
Mia volunteers with the Xerces Society and is co-founder of the Thanksgiving Monarch Count . When not doing everything she can to educate people on saving the Western Monarch and about their unique lifecycles , Mia works as the National Park Service Marin Community liaison at Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Walk Details:
The walk will take place in two locations: the Fort Mason Community Garden and Rob Hill at the Presidio . Carpools will be available from Fort Mason to the Presidio if needed by any participants. We will be at Fort Mason from 9:30 – 11:00 and meet back up at the Rob Hill Campground at 11:30 , where we’ll be until 12:30.

Walk participants will learn the tools they need to help record monarch sightings throughout the city over the winter. Download iNaturalist prior to the walk to maximize the benefit.

Preparation:
Download iNaturalist prior to the walk . Dress warmly with shoes for walking. Bring binoculars (optional but recommended). Bring water and a snack.
Meeting Location:
Meet at the picnic tables inside the gates of the Fort Mason Community Garden .
Transportation:
Muni service to the site includes the 22, 28, 30, and 49 busses.
Parking is available at Upper Fort Mason in the Bay Street Lot , among other locations. Parking at Rob Hill is available adjacent to the campground (small parking fee in effect).
Weather:
Heavy rain will cancel. We will send out an announcement the morning of the walk if we decide to cancel.
To learn more:
– Western Monarch Call to Action
– Monarch Joint Venture
– Western Monarch Count
– “The Imperiled Monarch & What San Franciscans Can Do”
To learn more about Nature in the City and our programs and volunteer opportunities, visit our website.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.