We sat down with Ildiko Polony, Executive Director of Sutro Stewards, to better understand how her team is working to conserve and expand the wildlife habitat on Mount Sutro. Read the interview below to learn more about the inspiring work that Ildiko is leading in San Francisco’s own urban forest.
“In 2006, Sutro Stewards was founded by Craig Dawson, who grew up bushwhacking his way through the invasive blackberry understory that defines Mount Sutro. Today, our group is solving the problem of access, so that as many people as possible can safely hike and explore the mountain. As humans, we need regular exposure to open space that is bio-diverse and abundant.
Our small geographic region is the only place where this combination of plants exists in the world. We grow these plants in our nursery, and provide space for their conservation. Trail building is also a huge component of our work. Nearly all six miles of trails on Mount Sutro were built by the hands of volunteers. It required an insane amount of teamwork.
Recently, I made a friend who said that as a kid, she was afraid of Mount Sutro. The forest was too dense, too dark. She’s not the first person who I’ve heard that from. The trails are crucial for people to be able to enjoy the mountain.”
“To me, a forest is an interdependent balanced ecosystem, not a monoculture. We’re working to make this forest more of a forest.”
“During the pandemic, we saw way more visitors to the space. People discovered the area in a way that they hadn’t before. They learned how essential nature and open spaces really are.
Throughout our work, we rely on SF Parks Alliance to take care of things that we don’t have the bandwidth for. Their staff has been really supportive with guiding us through grant applications.
The best way to get involved with our efforts is to join us for our volunteer days. Come out and get your hands dirty!
And if you’re starting your own community improvement project: articulate what exactly you want to do. Think about why your project is important. Then let your community know that the work will be gratifying and worthwhile.
Once you have a core group, it becomes more about organizing people and maintaining relationships. And gratitude. Always expressing genuine gratitude.”
