San Bruno Mountain, located in the center of the San Francisco Bay Area, is a four-square-mile global treasure—a natural preserve touted by biologist E. O. Wilson as one of the world’s rare biodiversity hot spots. Bathed in fog and wind and preserved from destruction by the fierce work of local conservationists, this mountain offers visitors a glimpse of what San Francisco looked like before colonization. Drawing on years of visits, observations, and research to offer a comprehensive flora of San Bruno Mountain and its endangered species, conservationists Doug Allshouse and David L. Nelson help us understand this unique and precious place from the point of view of the plants in this one-of-a-kind field guide. Detailing a total of 528 plant species (among them 316 natives), the authors also delve into the history of this living, changing habitat at the southern edge of San Francisco. The birds, butterflies, reptiles, geology, climate, dynamic changes, and political history of the preserve also feature in San Bruno Mountain. Even locals who have enjoyed hiking and viewing the mountain for years will be astonished at this book’s revelations about the diversity and importance of this wild place.

By Doug Allshouse and David L. Nelson

Purchase: https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/san-bruno-mountain/

Earth’s Own Animal abounds with more than 250 pages of San Bruno Mountain art and poetry plus historical essays about the people’s movement to save San Bruno Mountain.

The book will take you on a thoughtful and exciting journey through the landscapes and stories of San Bruno Mountain, intimately guided by the perspective of San Bruno Mountain Watch’s Founder, whose heart has been beating in rhythm with the life of mountain for 50 years.

Get your “ticket” below to purchase a copy of Earth’s Own Animal and we’ll mail you a signed copy!