The Natural Areas Program
A bird's-eye viewpoint above San Francisco reveals the remnants of an ancient wild landscape. Scattered here and there are small oases of wildlife that escaped the transformation from wildland to metropolis. These are San Francisco's natural areas, where a remarkable diversity of plants, birds, reptiles and amphibians, endangered butterflies, and mammals survive. The mission of the Natural Areas Program is to restore and enhance these 32 remnant natural areas, which range in size from less than an acre to almost 400 acres, and to develop and support community-based stewardship of the sites.
Public comment period for the Significant Natural Resource Area Management Plan - Draft EIR
Use the San Francisco Park Finder tool to find a natural area near you, or search for a natural area by activity.
Find out about historical San Francisco's abundant landscapes and current threats to that heritage.
Learn about this initiative to restore key park trails and expand the volunteer trail corps to help build and maintain a sustainable trail network in the city's natural areas.
Browse our photo gallery of rare plants and wildlife, fantastic landscapes, historic views, and people at work and play.
Natural Areas Program gardeners are responsible for managing over 1,100 acres. To meet these responsibilities and further develop our knowledge and experience, we've established partnerships with a variety of community organizations.
Hike to a scenic viewpoint, photograph wildflowers in bloom, look for birds and butterflies, volunteer to pull weeds and plant seeds, just hang out...all these are popular activities in our natural areas.
Help restore and preserve San Francisco's natural heritage: Sign up for one of the many fun and rewarding volunteer activities in natural areas all across the city. Find out more about NAP's Youth Stewardship Program, which engages young people in service-learning projects in parks citywide.
Check our events calendar for upcoming volunteer work parties, guided nature walks, and public meetings about NAP projects and policies.
Learn more about our program and its mission, get answers to frequently asked questions, and read the final draft of the Significant Natural Resource Areas Management Plan.
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