The Biodiversity Program supports collaborative, interagency conservation planning and management for a comprehensive watershed- and ecosystem-based natural resources management and stewardship program. It facilitates ecological restoration of wildlife habitats and educates the public about living natural heritage and local ecological stewardship opportunities.
Biodiversity goals
- Biologically Rich Ecosystems
- Equitable Access, Awareness and Experience of Nature
- Community and Ecological Stewardship
- Ecological Planning and Design
- Resilience in a Living City
Learn more about the Resolution Adopting Citywide Biodiversity Goals.
Background and need
In June 2005 the City and SF Environment hosted World Environment Day (WED), which was attended by delegates from dozens of cities around the world. Among the inspiring events was the Nature in the City Symposium, which showcased how conversations about urban ecological sustainability were missing the critical element of conservation of local ecology. Until that time, implementation of our sustainable city vision had not really included comprehensive planning for nature, wildlife and biodiversity. The single exception was the inventory and planning for management of Recreation and Parks' Significant Natural Resource Areas.
The City has significant conservation-oriented policies, such as the Sustainability Plan, and the Environmental Protection and Open Space Elements of the General Plan, but open and natural lands in San Francisco are a fragmented patchwork owned by multiple different city departments. Many lands are unmanaged. Invasive species and other impacts threaten the biodiversity and web of life that remains in our wild lands.
View San Francisco's Biodiversity and Natural Resources Policy History >
A critical need existed for the City to create a citywide, collaborative biodiversity program for the benefit of all future generations of San Franciscans.
A New Program
The City Charter, SEC. 4.118, which created both the Environment Commission and the Department in 1996, states that the Commission may perform work in the area of “natural resources conservation” and “habitat restoration.” On November 22, 2011, the Commission adopted Resolution 2011-05-COE, which specifically acknowledged the importance of protecting, restoring, and enhancing the city’s biodiversity and directed SF Environment staff to seek funding for biodiversity staffing and programs. In December of 2012, SFE hired its first ever biodiversity staff person, who is working with the Department to create a robust biodiversity program for the City.
San Francisco biodiversity policy
On May 23, 2017, the Commission on the Environment unanimously adopted a resolution that articulates a citywide vision and five long-term goals for San Francisco's nature and biodiversity. The resolution establishes the tremendous need for urban biodiversity work, illustrates some of the ongoing collaborative initiatives by the City and its community partners, and articulates strategies for the Environment Department to employ to implement the five citywide biodiversity goals.
Citywide Biodiversity Vision. San Francisco is a place where our local biodiversity thrives in climate-resilient ecosystems that integrate healthy native wildlife and plant habitats throughout our city’s physical environment, connecting ALL San Franciscans to nature daily and inspiring stewardship of our unique natural heritage in every neighborhood.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Resolution #107-18
Passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on April 17, 2018, the San Francisco Biodiversity Policy directs fifteen City departments to strengthen collaboration on behalf of the Citywide Biodiversity Vision, complete department-level biodiversity surveys, and make public commitments to support biodiversity through agency specific work and responsibilities. Building on years of inter-agency cooperation, implementing the San Francisco Biodiversity Policy was a significant next step in further aligning the agencies under a common vision, agenda and five goals.
On November 4, 2019, the Department of Environment, together with its agency partners, made a presentation and submitted a formal report to the Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee on implementation of the 2018 resolution.
In 2019, the Departments articulated their respective commitments to San Francisco’s Biodiverse City Vision. They were able to choose from drafting a memo to carrying a resolution at their commission to making a formal presentation at their commission. The links to the documents that each department produced are included in the list below. If a particular department’s document is not linked, that department is in the process of uploading the document to its website.
City departments' commitments
Airport
Resolution #19-0040, adopted by Airport Commission on March 5, 2019
Animal Care and Control
Memo in progress
Children, Youth and Families
Memo in progress
Environment
Resolution #004-17-COE, adopted by Environment Commission on May 23, 2017
Municipal Transportation Agency
Memo to SFMTA Board, March 29, 2019
Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure
Commission Presentation in progress
Planning
Resolution #2013.4117CWP, adopted by the Planning Commission on April 11, 2019
Port
Resolution #19-09, adopted by the Port Commission on March 26, 2019
Public Health
Memo sent to Public Health Commission on April 9, 2019
Public Library
Presentation and Memo to Library Commission on March 21, 2019
Public Utilities Commission
Memo presented to SFPUC Commission on April 9, 2019
Public Works
Memo sent to SF Environment from Public Works Director on April 18, 2019
Real Estate Division
Memo sent to SF Environment from Real Estate Division Director on June 25, 2019
Recreation and Parks
Memo to SF Environment from Recreation and Parks General Manager & presented during General Manager comments at RPD Commission meeting, April 18, 2019
Treasure Island Development Authority
Resolution #19-13-05/08 adopted by TIDA Board of Directors on May 8, 2019
City government and biodiversity
The Biodiversity Program periodically convenes City staff from the above City Departments to collaborate on the implementation of our City's biodiversity goals. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting collaborative work on behalf of San Franciscans, please contact biodiversity@sfenvironment.org. The Environment Department also staffs the Urban Forestry Council.
City of San Francisco Departments with biodiversity-related programs:
Natural Resources Program (RPD)
The Natural Resources Program is the branch of the Recreation and Park Department responsible for managing the City’s Natural Areas. The mission of the Program is two-fold: to preserve, restore, and enhance remnant Natural Areas, and to develop and support community-based site stewardship of these areas.
Environmental Programs (Port of San Francisco)
The Port of San Francisco embraces environmental and community stewardship of the San Francisco Waterfront. To meet this commitment, the Port has dedicated a staff of professionals to manage environmental and land use planning activities.
Yerba Buena Island (Treasure Island Development Authority)
The Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) in collaboration with the Department of the Environment is implementing the Habitat Management Plan for Yerba Buena Island as part of the larger Treasure Island Redevelopment. Watch this short video of the natural treasures of Yerba Buena Island.
San Francisco International Airport's West-of-Bayshore property is approximately 180 acres of undeveloped land across the Bayshore Freeway from the airport. Nearly the entire parcel was at one time part of the San Francisco Baylands supporting extensive tidal salt marshes, sloughs and seasonal wetlands. The property now supports populations of two federally listed endangered species; the San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged frog.
Green Connections (Planning Department)
Green Connections will increase access to parks, open space and the waterfront, by re-envisioning City streets and paths as ‘green connectors’ and wildlife corridors. This project builds on current efforts to create sustainable corridors that enhance mobility, green neighborhood streets, and improve pedestrian and bicycle access to community amenities and recreational opportunities. The Green Connections plan comes with a useful community resource guide.
Recreation and Open Space Element
The Planning Department facilitated an update to the Recreation and Open Space Element of the City’s General Plan, which provides a 20 year vision and plan for open space in the City.
San Francisco's Urban Watersheds (SFPUC)
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has several programs in which nature and biodiversity play a significant role.
Street Parks Program (Public Works)
Street Parks is a partnership between DPW, the San Francisco Parks Alliance and the residents of San Francisco to develop and create community managed gardens on public rights of way owned by DPW. The Street Parks program transforms vacant lots into gardens, trash and illegal dumping spots into greenery, and hillsides into parks. Since its inception in 2004, 100 community gardens have been developed and many more are in progress.
The Planning Department, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Friends of the Urban Forest, is creating a plan to promote San Francisco's urban forest with a primary focus on street trees. The Urban Forest Plan will identify policies and strategies to proactively manage and grow the City’s street tree population.
