{"id":32569,"date":"2024-03-30T20:31:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-31T03:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=32569"},"modified":"2024-03-30T20:31:40","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T03:31:40","slug":"more-trees-to-be-felled-mclaren-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2024\/03\/30\/more-trees-to-be-felled-mclaren-park\/","title":{"rendered":"More Trees To Be Felled \u2013 McLaren\u00a0Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted on March 29, 2024<\/a> by SF Forest Alliance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Francisco Forest Alliance recently received this email:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to bring to your attention some new signs that went up around the Jerry Garcia amphitheater in McLaren Park announcing the removal of more than 50 mature trees as part of its \u201ctrail improvements project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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INADEQUATE DISCUSSION, LITTLE SUPPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis project does not have a lot of public support, but SFRPD [San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department] is moving forward with it. The trees being removed include many towering Monterey Cypress trees, which were among the first to be planted in the park when it was developed last century.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cI am very involved in park events and park issues, and I believe these trees are being removed without adequate public discussion and public involvement. The signs that went up suggest it\u2019s a foregone conclusion that the trees will be removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there anything the Forest Alliance can do to help to stop the massacre?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An SF Forest Alliance supporter added:\u00a0 \u201cI just drove by and saw this.\u00a0 The area just below the Vis. Valley Middle School along Visitacion Avenue has been clear cut.\u00a0 This used to be covered with large trees.\u00a0 The cutting continues all the way down to Hahn Avenue. I guess I missed the project announcements and meeting notices where the NRD [Natural Resources Department, the renamed NAP or Natural Areas Program] let us know all of these trees were hazardous.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clearcut slope where there used to be trees \u2013 McLaren Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NESTING SEASON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is all happening during the nesting season for birds and other wildlife.<\/strong> According to WildCare, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization, the nesting season is March through October in the Bay area. (See this article<\/a> at Sutroforest.com)<\/p>\n\n\n

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An experienced observer with 7500-8000 hours in the field points out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey need to do thorough nesting surveys by a qualified biologist who will reveal all details of their survey in notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done these surveys. Raptors and other birds protected under MBTA [Migratory Bird Treaty Act] don\u2019t fly around advertising their nests.<\/strong> So it\u2019s not easy \u2013 someone needs to be qualified and understand bird behavior. For example, if a bird is flitting from perch to perch carrying food in its beak without consuming it, that\u2019s a sure sign that bird is saving the item. In this season, it\u2019s likely saving the food for chicks in a nest but reluctant to go there with someone watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s that type of observation that separates qualified biologists from ones who are interested in signing the dotted line without doing the real work.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This observer further notes the relevant questions to which we should get answers if harm to birds is to be avoided:<\/p>\n\n\n\n