Wildlife Management

We test innovative strategies to ensure people and wildlife coexist at the Presidio.

The Presidio’s open spaces provide habitat for birds, land mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish, and other aquatic life.

Though centuries of human use has led to the decline of some species, you can still encounter coyote, gray fox, red-tailed hawks, California slender salamanders, and banana slugs throughout the Presidio.

We test innovative management and awareness strategies to promote the survival of native species and to ensure people and wildlife coexist at the Presidio.

Wildlife Inventories

In order to conserve biodiversity, it’s important to monitor and inventory the species that are here. Over the past 25 years, the Presidio Trust and our partners have inventoried bees, small mammals, and butterflies.

Photo by David Assmann.

Olympia Oyster Restoration

Our wildlife team has built oyster balls out of shell, concrete, and sand to allow free swimming Olympia oysters a place to grow within Quartermaster Reach Marsh. We’re also working with the California College of the Arts to use 3D printed fiberglass panels to create oyster habitat. This keystone species filters water and builds habitat for fish and other aquatic species to live in salt marsh habitats.

Bringing Back Olympia Oysters

Staff member monitoring the oyster population at Quartermaster Reach Marsh.

Staff monitor 3D printed fiberglass structures for native oysters.

Presidio Trust staff member checks for Olympia oyster growth.

Oyster balls were installed at Quartermaster Reach Marsh to attract the species.

Students help monitor the Presidio’s Olympia oysters.

Students help us monitor the oyster population at the marsh.

Coyotes in the Presidio

After a long absence, coyotes returned to the Presidio in 2002 and are now seen regularly in the park. The Presidio Trust manages an innovative program to monitor coyotes so we can help this native species and people co-exist.

Mountain Lake Aquatic Pet Rescue Box

To discourage visitors from introducing exotic aquatic plant and animal species into the lake, the Presidio Trust placed a “pet amnesty” drop box near the south shore of Mountain Lake in 2015.