Join Ken Himes and Don Thomas for our fall habitat restoration project at the Caltrans fountain thistle site. This is the twice-a-year event that we have been conducting for over 10 years in partnership with Jake Sigg an d the Yerba Buena Chapter of CNPS, to protect the Federally endangered foun tain thistle.
Fountain thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. f ontinale) is a rare endangered plant that grows in an unusual speciali zed habitat, serpentine seeps. It is found only in a few places on the San Francisco Peninsula and only in San Mateo County.
Our work at this si te is a restoration success story. Once almost completely displaced by juba tagrass (Andean pampas grass), the fountain thistle has largely recovered, as a result of the work done by CNPS volunteers. However, fountain thistle is still under threat from jubatagrass and other non-native plants. By remo ving these invasive plants twice a year, we have succeeded in preservi ng the habitat of the fountain thistle.
Stur dy gloves are recommended; you might also want to bring sunscreen, water, a hat, layered clothing and wear long sleeves and long pants. If you cannot bring your own tools, tools will be provided. Contact Don at This email address is being protected fr om spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your spot and for directions to the meeti ng place.