On a beautiful November morning, forty volunteers gathered at the Baylands duck pond for a collaborative restoration project that brought together the Rotary Club of San Francisco, the Rotary Club of Menlo Park, the SFSU Climate HQ, Bank of America, and Save the Bay. The day began with bagels and conversation as participants — including a van full of SFSU students — arrived ready to work.
Representing the Rotary Club of San Francisco were Bob Hermann, Todd St Vrain, and Kai Burrus, who coordinated the student participation. Our task for the day was to plant approximately 1,000 native plants of four different species around a parking lot adjacent to the Bay. As we worked, we learned about the role these plants play in protecting against shoreline erosion and promoting biodiversity — increasingly important as sea levels rise.
The setting provided its own rewards. Long-billed dowitchers and avocets fed along the shore, while a peregrine falcon perched nearby.
Before departing, the group gathered in a circle to share one word capturing their experience. "Connected," "community," "grateful," "grounded," and "inspired" were among the words shared — reflecting the value of coming together in service to our environment and each other.
The day resonated with participants. SFSU students are already asking for a repeat trip in the spring. It was a great day to be on the Bay.
