​Graduating Interns received new binoculars (presented by Janel Schulenberg-Pres. SFNE Board of Directors, new photo books- Great Blue Herons of Golden Gate Park by Ian Reid, edited with forward by Nancy H. DeStefanis-presented by SFNE advisor-Alan Hopkins, and Great Blue Heron enamel Pins from donor Doug Stuart.

​All intern photos courtesy Linda Kobayashi unless otherwise specified.

The interns are just completing 8 Saturdays (32 hours) of studying birds at SF Parks as well as field study of the Great Blue Heron Colony at Blue Heron Lake.
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The interns have all chosen a project which will appear on this page June 1, 2026.

Habitat Restoration on Strawberry Hill
By Audrey Papasin

On the morning of May 9th, the San Francisco Nature Education (SFNE) interns had a valuable opportunity to step out of usual routines and engage in hands-on conservation work. I was joined by fellow interns Lida, Amanda, Farrah, and Neko, as well as junior intern Eli. We spent the morning working on habitat restoration with Andy Stone, the chief gardener of Blue Heron Lake. It was an experience that allowed us to contribute directly to the local ecosystem and learn about the balance of the park's plant life.

Our restoration efforts focused on Strawberry Hill, the island located in the middle of Blue Heron Lake. This area serves as a habitat for park wildlife, including the Great Blue Herons. Our main goal for the workday was to clear out invasive plants so that the natural, native environment could thrive and continue to support the local animal populations.

To tackle the overgrowth efficiently, we divided into two groups. Farrah, Neko, and Amanda took on the task of removing invasive ivy that was creeping up the slopes and covering the trees. Using rakes, they worked to untangle and pull back the vines. Removing this ivy is crucial because it often outcompetes native plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients, which can quickly degrade the quality of the habitat if left unchecked.

Meanwhile, Lida, Eli, and I focused our efforts on pulling weeds that had spread across the hillside and trees. We worked close to the ground, taking care to distinguish between the weeds and the native plants we needed to protect. It was steady, physical work, and clearing out large sections of weeds showed us the immediate impact of our efforts. Every weed we removed made space for another native plant.

After the restoration work was complete, Andy Stone took the interns and volunteers on an informative nature walk around the area. He taught us about the local flora and pointed out native species like the stinging nettle. He explained how these specific plants naturally belong in this environment and provide essential resources for local insects. Learning directly from him helped us understand the practical reasons behind the physical work we had just completed.
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We appreciated Andy Stone's guidance and expertise throughout the morning. His clear understanding of Blue Heron Lake's plant life kept our work focused, and he was patient in explaining the ecosystem to the group. Andy's knowledge of native and invasive species turned a morning of physical labor into an educational experience, and we are grateful for his time and direction during the restoration work.