We chatted with Robert Bakewell from Friends of the Oak Woodlands, a group that advocates for the restoration and stewardship of the Oak Woodlands Natural Resource Area in Golden Gate Park. To discover how they’ve advanced these important efforts, keep reading below!
“The entire northeast region of Golden Gate Park was previously neglected, dangerous, and overgrown with invasive undergrowth. As far as the public was concerned, it was a literal no-go zone.
I live across the street and 25 years ago, my sister and mom also lived nearby. They called me to say that the park is a mess and that we need to do something. We learned that there were monthly work days to clean up ‘Raccoon Hollow,’ and that they were tearing ivy off the oak trees and cutting blackberry bushes that were choking the oak trees.
After a year and a half of volunteering, I began to see that this was something that I really wanted to contribute to in terms of supporting our city’s environmental health, improving public safety, and also learning more about Golden Gate Park.”
“We have restored and conserved a significant environmental resource and transformed it from a dangerous and neglected space into a beautiful, safe and community focused area.”
“Friends of Oak Woodlands has volunteered on a monthly basis since the early ’90s. Our work is ongoing, but in the last three decades we have restored and conserved a significant environmental resource and transformed it from a dangerous and neglected space into a beautiful, safe and community focused area within the park.
As time went on, we knew we needed an official title and registered ourselves as a fiscally sponsored group with SF Parks Alliance, which was transformational. It allowed us to fundraise and garner administrative support for our efforts. It also allowed us to apply and receive grant funding for the site, including a Community Challenge Grant for a larger site restoration and planting.
Today, this space is a restored habitat for birds, insects, fungus – all the ecology of a pristine Oak Woodlands – in support of the trees. Still, our work will continue for decades.
We are always looking for more volunteers. You can see our group’s needs online, or you can just come to Golden Gate Park and enjoy the trail. Find the notice board and read all the information you need to get involved in what we are doing!”