Mori's Warriors Make Progress at Mori Point

Hi, Friends of Mori Point,

This year’s habitat restoration and trail project is in full swing! The overall goal of the project is to rehabilitate certain areas back into wildlife habitat while creating sustainable, well-drained trails for people to enjoy. Those of you who have visited Mori recently have already noticed some temporary changes. There’s a temporary staging area for our equipment around the big cement platform near the Point. Also, we’ve temporarily smoothed out some large trails to allow water trucks (for dust control) and dump trucks (to help move soil around the site and to bring in some brown shale for use in the trail work) to safely drive up the hills. Rest assured, we have biomonitors on-site throughout the work to ensure the safety of all the wildlife, too! These wide trails are only temporary, and the final trail will look very different. Ultimately, the trails will be narrower and the surface of the trail will be natural. Most of the trails will have the natural soil already there while a few wetter spots will be surfaced with brown shale. This is the same natural brown shale placed on Mori Road by the ponds and roadside seep last year.    

Now that we’re set up, we’ve begun the restoration and trail work. We’re recontouring part of the California Coastal Trail to allow for more natural drainage and converting two smaller trails just downslope back to a more natural state. Then, with winter rains, our volunteers will revegetate the area with the thousands of plants being grown at the Oceana High School and Fort Funston nurseries. By allowing the trail to “heal,” we’re providing more space for wildlife to thrive, de-fragmenting the habitat. For your safety, certain trails are closed while we’re working on them, but there are still plenty of ways for you to reach your favorite destinations during these short-term closures. Check out the detour map above to help plan your route. Please note: All permanent trails are open Friday through Sunday.

Also, just a few weeks ago, we held a Celebration of Mori Point. Approximately 150 friends and neighbors stopped by to commemorate the protection of this special place. The day was filled with activities such as seeing “Mori” the S.F. Zoo’s San Francisco garter snake, crafting art projects, taking guided tours, joining in on a volunteer project, and performing a snake dance. 

Even the wildlife came out to help us celebrate. Two red-legged frogs greeted visitors along Mori Road from the seep, while whales breached off the coast, and wildflowers spread their own golden sunshine on the point. (Even a coast garter snake was seen swimming in the southern pond!) We honored our many supporters and reflected on the great work of the late Congressman Tom Lantos. It was the perfect way to kick off this year’s field season, so stop by to see the work in action. We’ll keep you posted! Thanks again for your patience and support! 

SUSIE BENNETT
Mori Point Project Coordinator

And the Mori Point Planning Team [Kate Bickert, Christina Crooker, Sharon Farrell, Darren Fong, Sue Gardner, Jen Greene, Steve Griswold, Erin Heimbinder, Mary Petrilli, and Asha Setty]