PEARSON-ARASTRADERO PRESERVE
This popular preserve has expansive grasslands and oak savanna that house an abundance of wildlife including deer, bobcats, coyotes, and many species of birds. Owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto, this open space is located within the Matadero Creek Watershed, and borders Foothills Nature Preserve.
As our founding restoration project, we have worked at Pearson-Arastradero since 1997 focusing along Arastradero and Mayfly Creeks where we improve habitat by replacing invasive plants with natives, as well as monitoring and maintaining trees throughout the preserve.
OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AT PEARSON-ARASTRADERO PRESERVE
OUR RESTORATION WORK AT PEARSON-ARASTRADERO PRESERVE
Gateway Garden
In the fall of 2010, we installed a garden adjacent to the visitors facility that showcases species found throughout the preserve. This garden is designed to tolerate extreme heat, cold, drought, voles, and frequent deer visits. More recently our planting at the Gateway Facility has expanded with a new meadow towards the parking lot. These shrubs and forbs provide habitat for birds and insects, as well as a pleasing garden aesthetic for community members visiting the preserve.
Arastradero and Mayfly Creeks
Our oldest restoration area at the preserve has now expanded to three different sections with the newest one starting in summer 2021. With the help of countless volunteers throughout the years we have been able to remove invasive plants such as Italian thistle, lay down sheet mulch of cardboard and wood chips, and install thousands of native plants from our nursery. At the meeting of Arastradero and Mayfly creeks we have installed willow bundles and willow stakes each year since 2018 to stabilize their banks.
Native Tree Monitoring and Maintenance
With the help of several college interns, we are monitoring and maintaining over 600 native trees at the preserve. These trees have been caged or tubed to protect them against deer and other animals until they are large enough to survive on their own.
Invasive Removal and Monitoring
A key component of our stewardship at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is invasive plant management. We continuously monitor and map invasive plants within our restoration areas and throughout the preserve such as medusahead grass and yellow starthistle. 2021 marks the 10th consecutive year that we have monitored, mapped, and removed medusahead populations with the help of mowing by Palo Alto Open Space Rangers.
EXPLORE PEARSON-ARASTRADERO PRESERVE
Arastradero Bird Habitat Structures Map
By college intern Ethan Yan
Wildflowers of Arastradero Preserve (iNaturalist guide)
Birds of Arastradero Preserve (iNaturalist guide)
VISIT PEARSON-ARASTRADERO PRESERVE
1530 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset. Free parking is available in a gravel lot with about 30 spaces and two accessible spaces. The lot fills quickly especially on spring and summer weekends. Arastradero Road is a bit winding with no shoulders, and frequent cyclists. Please refrain from parking along Arastradero Road, and be sure to lock your car and take all valuables with you. Transportation is available via SamTrans route 87 Alpine Rd and Golden Oak Dr stop about 2 miles from the preserve. There is a bike lane between the SamTrans stop and the preserve along Alpine Road, and one along Page Mill Road with a bike rack available at the preserve. There is no walking path or sidewalk to the preserve.
There are 10 miles of trails throughout Pearson-Arastradero that are unpaved, and at times very steep and exposed to the sun. Volunteer work takes place in varied shaded and full sun areas with bushes and trees to work under and take breaks. Walking to work sites is generally flat, and can be about a 10 minute walk.
Four flush toilets are available at the gateway facility near the parking lot, including one ADA compliant restroom. Our furthest working area is about a 10 minute walk from the restrooms. Cell service and water fountains are also available at the preserve. Come prepared to explore with water and a hat, and be aware of rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak.
OUR TEAM AT PEARSON-ARASTRADERO PRESERVE
Project Manager Claire Grist manages our work at Arastradero Preserve, along with Ecologist Hannah Cunningham. Any questions about our work at Arastradero Preserve can be directed to Claire Grist.
