Rare Butterflies, Open Space Protected Through 2043

Rare Butterflies, Open Space Protected Through 2043

Four endangered butterfly species living in San Bruno Mountain State and County Park have been granted another 30 years of protection, thanks to a conservation plan allowing limited development near the park in exchange for habitat restoration funding.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with San Mateo County and the cities of Brisbane, Daly City and South San Francisco, has approved a 30-year extension of San Bruno Mountain Park’s original Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), which in 1983 was the first HCP to be created under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.

In addition to protecting grasslands that support the endangered Mission Blue, San Bruno Elfin, Bay Checkerspot and Callippe Silverspot butterflies, the Habitat Conservation Plan also ensures survival of 14 rare and endangered plant species found in the 2,864-acre park.

The he Callippe Silverspot is one of the butterfly’s to receive protection through 2043

The park’s summit of 1,314 feet is a landmark to the north Peninsula and offers unobstructed, 360-degree views of San Francisco, the East Bay, Mount Diablo and Pacific Ocean. San Bruno Mountain’s 12 miles of hiking, riding, and jogging trails link various vista points, and a disabilities access trail, the Bog Trail, is located near the park entrance.San Bruno Mountain Park’s original Habitat Conservation Plan allowed development on 330 acres at the base of the mountain, but also added 800 protected acres to the park. Land developers and property owners near the park contribute annually to a perpetual fund for restoration of butterfly habitat on San Bruno Mountain.

The newly-approved extension of the HCP will allow approved land development to be completed, as well as grassland restoration, maintenance of service roads and hiking trails, utility maintenance and fire suppression activities.

New revenues from development will help fight the encroachment of non-native invasive plant species, which choke out the native food-source plants that butterflies rely upon. In 1983, park managers identified ten invasive species of concern on San Bruno Mountain. But today, more than 60 troublesome plant species have taken root in the park.

Currently , grassland restoration is  focused on approximately 650 acres of the park, with additional work being done by San Mateo County Parks, volunteers and adjacent private property owners.

Annual Work Plans to manage vegetation and monitor butterfly populations are developed by a Technical Advisory Committee, which also makes funding recommendations to San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan Trustees, a group consisting of the San Mateo County Manager and the City Managers of Brisbane, Daly City and South San Francisco.

San Bruno Mountain State and County Park is located at 555 Guadalupe Canyon Parkway, Brisbane, 94005.

For more information, contact Sam Herzberg, Senior Planner, San Mateo County Parks (650) 363-1823 or at sherzberg@smcgov.org