Baumgarten, S. A. 2022. Ecological Horticulture at the Presidio.  Lee, V., Bazo, M., Spotswood, E., Eds..  SFEI Contribution No. 1080. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, Ca.
The Presidio of San Francisco?the nation?s largest urban national park?is located in an area of exceptional ecological diversity. Historically, many different habitat types thrived in the mix of windswept dunes, riparian forests, and curious dwarf oak woodlands that characterized this landscape. Many of these habitat types are rare today (and some were even rare in the region historically), and together they harbor a host of unique plants and animals.

Bazo, M.; Benjamin, M.; Spotswood, E.; Grenier, L. 2020. Integrating Planning with Nature: Building climate resilience across the urban-to-rural gradient.  SFEI Contribution No. 1013.

Iknayan, K.; Bazo, M.; Ndayishimiye, E.; Benjamin, M.; Grossinger, R. M. 2020. Moffett Park Specific Plan Urban Ecology Technical Report.  SFEI Contribution No. 985.

Baumgarten, S.; Grossinger, R.; Bazo, M.; Benjamin, M. 2020. Re-Oaking North Bay.  SFEI Contribution No. 947. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.

Spotswood, E.; Grossinger, R.; Hagerty, S.; Bazo, M.; Benjamin, M.; Beller, E.; Grenier, L.; Askevold, R. A. 2019. Making Nature's City.  SFEI Contribution No. 947. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.

Cities will face many challenges over the coming decades, from adapting to a changing climate to accommodating rapid population growth. A related suite of challenges threatens global biodiversity, resulting in many species facing extinction. While urban planners and conservationists have long treated these issues as distinct, there is growing evidence that cities not only harbor a significant fraction of the world?s biodiversity, but also that they can also be made more livable and resilient for people, plants, and animals through nature-friendly urban design. 
Urban ecological science can provide a powerful tool to guide cities towards more biodiversity-friendly design. However, current research remains scattered across thousands of journal articles and is largely inaccessible to practitioners. Our report Making Nature?s City addresses these issues, synthesizing global research to develop a science-based approach for supporting nature in cities. 
Using the framework outlined in the report, urban designers and local residents can work together to connect, improve, and expand upon city greenspaces to better support biodiversity while making cities better places to live. As we envision healthier and more resilient cities, Making Nature?s City provides practical guidance for the many actors who together will shape the nature of cities.