I was lucky enough to get hold of a DVD (not for public viewing) of the film, and people in Glen Park who are very interested in Jazz and Women can get in touch with me … I’m sydney@eceteacher.org

The $4 million for tree maintenance only paid for an evaluation of the trees in the parks and the removal of the trees in Stern Grove that had been evaluated as hazardous nearly 10 years ago in 2003 and Park Presidio that was evaluated in 2008.

The evaluation is horrifying: http://www.sfrecpark.org/documents/FileTree/PROSAC/Materials/2010%20Materials/070610/RPD%20tree%20operation%20assessment%20DRAFT%206.19.2010.pdf. The urban forestry division of Rec & Park is so inadequately staffed that it can only respond to specific requests, usually to remove trees after they have fallen. There is no reforestation effort in any park except Golden Gate Park. The evaluation predicts that the golf courses will be virtually treeless soon. Without the windbreak provided by the trees, the golf courses will be uncomfortable and probably unused.

It’s a problem that isn’t difficult to fix if you just choose to spend what money you have differently. If you choose to spend your money destroying trees at a time of budgetary constraints you don’t have the money to maintain the ones you have or to replace the ones you are rapidly losing to the lack of maintenance. This imbalance could be remedied by the next park bond fund if the voters have the wisdom to do so.

A big thank you to volunteer steward Murray Schneider for writing this article and working with me in Glen Canyon with San Francisco’s N.A.P. I would also like to thank the Friends of Glen Canyon for their tireless service and the thousands of volunteers who work with us at the N.A.P. throughout San Francisco! Your work is incredible and continues to make a difference in helping preserve and create a balance of habitats and park use for all creatures including us humans!

Together, under the guidance of the Draft Natural Areas Plan, and the publicly well considered Environmental Impact Review of the twenty-year Significant Natural Resource Areas Plan, we will continue to responsibly maintain and honor our diverse natural heritage, helping preserve the unique landscapes and habitats that make San Francisco beautiful special via sustainable means.

As a community we have done this work together on all fronts of park enhancement, whether it be habitat restoration addressing aggressively spreading introduced plants, picking up trash, trail maintenance and creation, planting local plants and trees or simply talking to one another about the issues of the day confronting our parks; you, the volunteers and your work are invaluable and appreciated more than ever in the midst of tough economic times!

I for one appreciate and know your hands make the difference in the work we guide at the N.A.P. Our work is for wildlife in the short and especially long terms. We are here protecting the natural wonders within, not from you, but for you and our future generations of all species. We are using the best and safest techniques sanctioned by the Department of the Environment’s Integrated Pest Management Program. Yours and my health comes first!

I am grateful to live and raise my daughter in this city and natural areas I was. I respect our place in history here. It should be understood that we all agree that we want to preserve the unique characters and values, “introduced” or “native”. I embrace the diversity of views and passion for life. However, I am also confident in my own and my colleagues’ skills and conscience at the N.A.P. Read and know the Plan seeks to preserve the maximum amount of species still here. Together we will continue to honor both us, and the nature in the city we’ve inherited.
I thank you for supporting your Natural Areas Program and Plan and I’ll see you in the field!

Respectfully,
Dylan J. Hayes