Committee accepts Recon Environmental proposal to continue San Bruno Mountain invasive removal under $25,000 budget

The Brisbane Space and Ecology Committee voted unanimously July 22 to accept Recon Environmental’s proposal to continue invasive-plant management on San Bruno Mountain under the city’s existing $25,000 annual budget.

Tim Buonacorsi, restoration director for Recon Environmental, presented the firm’s work on the site and its methods, saying the project’s core aim is to “disrupt the monoculture from developing of invasive species” and to increase acreage available for native plants while avoiding habitat harm. Buonacorsi described French broom and Cotoneaster as the primary targets, noting French broom’s persistent seed bank and that it “also has a pretty bad fire risk.” He explained Recon’s primary treatment approach: hand-pulling of small plants and a cut-and-paint herbicide method for woody stems applied immediately after cutting, which the crew records in ArcGIS field maps.

City staff told the committee Recon’s work this year is consistent with prior years and that Recon would provide GIS data for staff review and recordkeeping. Staff also said the city had purchased five additional parcels and asked Recon to scope those areas while crews are onsite; Buonacorsi agreed to visit and report back at no additional charge.

After brief discussion about methods, piles of cut vegetation and revegetation options, Vice Chair Rogers moved to accept the proposal and a second was offered; the motion passed by roll-call with all members voting aye. Staff confirmed the $25,000 annual allocation remains the funding source for the contract.

The committee flagged follow-up tasks: staff will receive Recon’s GIS deliverables, and Recon will note any urgent infestations (for example, tree-of-heaven) on the newly acquired parcel inventory. The project’s immediate next steps are Recon’s site visits and the transfer of treatment polygons/points to city staff for long-term tracking.