What's So Special About California's Grasslands?

Native Grasses of Fort Baker

Look up at the grassy hills around Fort Baker... These emerald winter, turned vibrant golden, late summer grasslands are a signature feature of California... Sadly, only one percent of the state's native grasslands are intact, due to overgrazing and introduced European grasses. Yet, the remaining grasslands harbor the majority of the state's rare and endangered species.
Fort Baker contains remnants of the most species-rich grassland community in North America, the California coastal prairie. Coastal prairie is dominated by perennial bunchgrasses that can live for over 100 years. And these grasses shelter an abundance of wildflowers and bulbs. These grasslands also provide habitat for rodents such as mice, gophers, and voles, which are in turn hunted by hawks and other birds of prey. Some ground nesting birds also make their home here. But insects truly own this place, and among them are many species of butterflies, including the endangered Mission Blue.