Project: Bernal Wild
Location: Bernal Hill Park, San Francisco
Bernal Wild: Bernal Hill Park
At the summit of Bernal Hill lies a remarkable 20-acre urban ecosystem, a rare expanse of open space that serves as a sanctuary for native plants and wildlife thriving in the heart of the city. Bernal Wild is a dedicated collective of neighbors and nature enthusiasts on a mission to restore and protect native species to encourage pollinators.
What began in Spring 2021 as a targeted effort to rescue a single Coast Live Oak and a neighboring Toyon from invasive Scotch Broom has evolved into an extensive habitat restoration project. Over years of consistent stewardship, the collective has transformed neglected sections of the hill into a flourishing haven for the butterflies, moths, and birds that depend on indigenous flora.
Core Restoration Objectives
Invasive Species Mitigation: Systematically removing Scotch Broom and other non-native competitors to allow the original ecosystem to breathe.
Grassland Recovery: Re-establishing the historic grasslands of Bernal Hill, which provide deep-rooted stability and essential habitat.
Biodiversity Support: Planting a diverse palette of native species to support the complex life cycles of local insect and avian populations.
The Impact of Community Stewardship
The success of Bernal Wild is rooted in the “radical accessibility” of urban nature. By engaging local volunteers in the physical act of restoration, the project builds a deep, multi-generational bond between the residents and the land.
“With the success of our fundraiser, we’ve planted over 200 new plants and counting. One of our new favorites is Purple Needlegrass (Stipa pulchra), our state grass. It grows to 2-3 feet tall, has very deep roots, and can live to be 100 years old. We’ve planted around 30-40 of them along with many others.”
— Lori Eanes, Bernal Wild
The Role of Greening Projects
As the fiscal sponsor, Greening Projects provides the professional expertise and administrative support to scale Bernal Wild’s grassroots passion into a long-term ecological success:
Professional Excellence: Assisting with technical plant selection and restoration strategies that prioritize “smart greening” and climate resilience.
Fiscal Management: Providing the 501(c)(3) framework to manage community fundraising, ensuring every dollar donated goes directly toward plants, tools, and site maintenance.
Ecological Resilience: Supporting the transition from a “rescue mission” to a managed, sustainable landscape that can withstand the environmental challenges of the future.
Ecological Highlights
Native Grassland Restoration: Focusing on Stipa pulchra to restore the hill’s ancestral character and improve soil health.
Pollinator Corridors: Creating “stepping stones” of native habitat that allow urban wildlife to move safely through the city.
Urban Canopy Protection: Saving mature native trees from being choked out by invasive vines and shrubs.