Our Mission: We are working to address the problem of hazardous, invasive eucalyptus stands directly impacting the safety of our roadways and our community.

Project Description

The Bolinas Eucalyptus Project (BEP) is working to address hazards posed to Bolinas residents and visitors by a large declining grove of roadside Eucalyptus near the intersection of Mesa Road and Olema Bolinas Road in Bolinas, California. The aging trees, now massive, are falling at an increasing rate. The project’s primary objective is to increase human safety

and emergency access along a major thoroughfare and primary evacuation route. Secondary objectives include decreasing hazardous fuel loads, improving the ecological health of the site, and creating benefits for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators.

Safety and emergency access for the community of Bolinas will be improved by removing large ailing Eucalyptus trees from the project area. In addition, the project will restore native ecosystems on the site by planting appropriate native

trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses. This willl enhance habitat for native wildlife, including pollinators and birds. Long-term monitoring and adaptive management strategies will ensure the health and success of the restored site.

Project Goals

• Eliminate extensive safety hazards along roadways and pathways (including broken treetops, uprooting/falling trees, and fire danger) posed by the declining Eucalyptus grove.

• Ensure reliable and safe emergency access and evacuation routes for Bolinas.

• Enhance habitat for native wildlife, including pollinators, by establishing and maintaining appropriate ecosystems on the project site.

• Create a net benefit to regional monarch habitat.

• Reduce waste by upcycling of lumber removed by the project.

• Remove the long-term financial burden to the community of maintaining a deteriorating Eucalyptus grove.

Enhancing Monarch Habitat

The project planting design will focus on enhancing habitat for migratory Monarchs and other pollinators by:

  • Including a diversity early spring, late fall and winter blooming nectar plants to create food supplies for monarchs during clustering and their southward migration

  • Maximizing the square footage of pollinator targeted habitat.

Resource Upcycling

Wood harvested from removed Eucalyptus trees can be reused for:

  • Salmon Habitat Enhancement in Local Creeks

  • Dune and Beach Stabilization

  • Site Furnishings for the Project

  • Flooring (after milling)

Read about our Program

We are undertaking a bold program to address the pressing needs of our community, read our reports and view our projects to learn more.

Learn more about us.

Read about who is working on the project, and what we are trying to accomplish.