Fort Funston Idea Sheet
What are your thoughts, questions, solutions for the issues raised in the signs posted on the fence?
(print this-- will be two pages -- and start scribbling down your thoughts!
| Why the Fences? | |
| Fort Funston is home to | |
| a threatened bird species, the Bank Swallow, | |
| which burrow nests into the sea cliffs. | |
| In the fenced-off area we are trying to improve the birds' habitat | |
| by replacing introduced species like iceplant with native plants. | |
| The U.S. Army planted iceplant in the 1930's to control erosion around construction sites. | |
| The invasive iceplant overtook, | |
| reducing food and cover for wildlife such as quail, swallows, rabbits and insects. | |
| An average of 20,000 native plants per year are propagated at the Fort Funston native plant nursery | |
| and are planted by school groups | |
| and hundreds of volunteers. | |
| We also rely on park users to stay out of closed areas | |
| and to keep pets and horses under control. | |
| By doing so you preserve the work of volunteers | |
| and help the bank swallows grow in health. | |
| For more information please feel free to talk to any ranger | |
| or call 415 239-2366. Thank you. | |
| Seasonal Use Area. Until further notice, | |
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this area shall be open from approximately mid-August to mid-March. |
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It will be closed when the bank swallows return here to raise their young in the springtime. |
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| Bank swallows (Riparia riparia) are a state-threatened species in the state of California | |
| and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1960. | |
| National Park Service rangers will re-open the gates to allow access into this area | |
| when the bank swallows have left Fort Funston for their southern migration in late July or August. |