NOVEMBER 20, 2009–Stinson Beach, CA

Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), a leader in conservation science, habitat protection and restoration, and hands-on environmental education programs, announced today that Daniel Gluesenkamp, PhD, ACR’s director of habitat protection and restoration, has discovered the formerly-extinct San Francisco manzanita (Arctostaphylos francsicana) growing near the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Presidio. The San Francisco manzanita was last seen in San Francisco in 1947.

“I’m really excited that this discovery gives us a rare second chance to save this beautiful species and restore a piece of San Francisco which we’d thought lost forever,” said Daniel Gluesenkamp, an expert in native and invasive plants. “It shows that there are still miracles out there waiting to be uncovered.”

Gluesenkamp reported his discovery to colleagues at the Presidio Trust, where biologists mobilized to protect the rare plant. Currently the Presidio Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and CalTrans are developing a conservation plan which will restore habitat to save the manzanita and related species.

The San Francisco Manzanita grows two feet tall, has red bark, dark green leaves, and white flowers.

ABOUT AUDUBON CANYON RANCH
The mission of Audubon Canyon Ranch is to protect the natural resources of its sanctuaries while fostering an understanding and appreciation of these environments. Through ACR's preservation, education, and research programs, ACR educates children and adults, promotes ecological literacy that is grounded in direct experience, and conducts research and restoration that advances conservation science.

Audubon Canyon Ranch Preserves include the Cypress Grove Research Center on Tomales Bay, the 535-acre Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon near Glen Ellen and the 1,000-acre Bolinas Lagoon Preserve near Stinson Beach, which is home to one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most significant and most studied Great Egret and Great Blue Heron nesting sites.

Recently ACR announced an agreement with Jim and Shirley Modini to acquire the 1,725-acre Modini Ranch property, located in the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma County.

ACR is an independent non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status and has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, 4 Star. ACR is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.

Audubon Canyon Ranch programs are made possible thanks to the contribution of thousands of hours of volunteer service, and donations from caring individuals, foundations and businesses. For more information, call (415) 868-9244, email acr@egret.org or visit www.egret.org.