San Francisco Biodiversity Guidelines (2023)
Design Principles
- Prioritize locally native (San Francisco) plants suited to site conditions.
- Treat every landscape project as an opportunity to restore habitat and strengthen ecological connectivity.
- Design landscapes to support biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem function.
Pollinator & Wildlife Strategy
- Provide year-round flowering resources for pollinators.
- Select plants that support birds, bees, butterflies, bats, and other native wildlife.
- Reduce pesticide use and promote Bay-Friendly landscape practices.
Implementation
- Uses the SF Plant Finder to guide plant selection based on local nativity, habitat value, bloom period, water use, and site conditions.
- Encourages use of San Francisco native species and local ecotypes whenever feasible.
- Integrates biodiversity into landscape planning through design guidance.
