SFSU students support plant restoration in Bayview-Hunters Point

SFSU’s Climate HQ teamed up with the SF Rotary Club to transplant local native flowers in the historic San Francisco neighborhood

At Candlestick Point Native Plant Nursery in Bayview-Hunters Point, the view tells two very different stories. On one side is the Bay and its beauty; on the other, a decommissioned shipyard — a Superfund site with radioactive, metal and industrial contamination that continues to affect the neighborhood’s health. Hidden behind a building is a lush and lively community garden as well as the native plant nursery, both part of a nature-based response to these environmental challenges. On March 14, San Francisco State University students added their energy to the space as volunteers.

SFSU Climate HQ and the SF Rotary Club rallied 35 SFSU students, faculty and staff, community college students and Rotary members for a day of native plant restoration at the Bayview-Hunters Point nursery. The students were from across campus, representing a variety of programs like Biology, Child and Adolescent Development, Cinema, the School of the Environment and more.

“It was really nice to see a ton of people from all corners of campus coming together to do something good for the planet,” said first-year Marine Science student Sandra Chavez. Hoping for a career in conservation, she is an avid community volunteer and was excited to pitch in. 

Participants spent their Saturday split into three groups to prep soil, plant, and transplant native flowers that are hardy and resistant to weather, drought and fire.

The event was spearheaded by Climate HQ Co-Director Kai Burrus, a Biology professor and Rotary Climate Action team chair. Like many in Climate HQ, Burrus uses her community connections to expand opportunities for SFSU students.

“In addition to Literacy for Environmental Justice, Climate HQ team members have relationships with people in local governments, grassroots organizations and local businesses,” she explained. Burrus says that "these connections are the fabric of our community — and the foundation for opportunities like this one." 

Climate HQ wants to make these types of events accessible whenever possible. The goal is to help students from all majors and colleges and from any background get involved. 

“We want all students to be able to participate. Thanks to the SF Rotary Club's generous support, we were able to rent a van and bring students who otherwise couldn't have made it. Many had never been to Bayview-Hunters Point. This is about getting people out of their comfort zones and into community with others who share their values," Burrus added.

Community and hope are common themes for Climate HQ, SFSU’s campus hub that aims to centralize and support climate change and climate justice activities at the University. It offers something for everyone (students, faculty, staff and community) via classes, certificates, initiatives and events. 

“Research shows that collective action — on climate change and beyond — helps reduce the grief and anxiety so many of us are carrying. That feels deeply true to my own experience,” Burrus said.

Learn about how to become a part of SFSU Climate HQ.