Green Hairstreak Butterfly Open House and Bioblitz

Join Nature in the City for an Open House and Bioblitz in the Green Hairstreak Corridor.

Participants are encouraged to add observations through iNaturalist or Seek as part of the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide four-day event. Your sightings will count toward Nature in the City's Green Hairstreak Corridor monitoring efforts.

The Main Event:

Arrive between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area, where we'll have snacks and beverages. Then join an expert naturalist on a walk through the Corridor to add observations on iNaturalist or Seek. Nature in the City staff and volunteers will help you learn how to record wildlife, and we hope everyone gets a close-up view of Green Hairstreak butterflies!

Walks will depart at approx 11:45 a.m. and last about 1.5 hours.

At 1:30 p.m., groups will meet back at the Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area to celebrate Bioblitz highlights and share the number of people, observations, and species we recorded as a group.

Just The Butterflies, Please:

If you're short on time and want to make sure you see Green Hairstreak butterflies, you can visit our flagship butterfly habitat restoration site at 15th Ave and Quintara Street, where a naturalist will be stationed.

Preparation:

If you want to participate in the City Nature Challenge, please download iNaturalist or Seek on your smartphone and set up an account beforehand if you don't have one. Otherwise, bring water, sturdy shoes, and layers.

Note: there will be a portable toilet at the Golden Gate Heights Park picnic area.

Meeting Location:

The Main Event will be held at the Golden Gate Heights Park Picnic Area on 12th Ave.

A volunteer will be stationed at 15th Avenue & Quintara Steps if you just want to seek out a glimpse of the Green Hairstreak Butterfly.

Transportation:

The Muni 6 bus drops off at the top of the Quintara Steps, and Golden Gate Heights Park is a five-minute walk from here; the Muni 66 stops at 15th and Quintara.

Weather:

Heavy rain cancels the event. Organizers will make the call on the morning of the event and notify the participants via email.

This walk is FREE* to attend (with RSVPs kindly requested).

Donations (in cash or online) can be made to Nature in the City on the day of the event. Special bonus! Everyone who donates $10 and above will receive a copy of the Nature in the City Map.

Or donate to Nature in the City using our secure online form, and we’ll send you monthly emails with a full events listing, local nature information, and access to more fun perks.

Info: We'll start our day at the picnic area at the top of Golden Gate Heights Park, with snacks, info about the Green Hairstreak Butterfly, and instructions on conducting a bioblitz.

Info: Pick a group based on the various sites to visit in the corridor. Here's your chance to spot the Green Hairstreak Butterfly in its habitat!

Info: Groups will return to the park for snacks and drinks, and to share the nature observations made.

Info: If you just want to get a glimpse of the butterflies and not participate in the BioBlitz, drop by the habitat restoration site at 15th Ave and Quintara St. between 12:00-1:30. We'll have a volunteer on site this whole time to help you spot the butterflies and share information about the Green Hairstreak Corridor project.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in San Francisco, Nonprofit events in San Francisco.