Our Work
The San Francisco garter snake has been dubbed “the most beautiful serpent in North America,” and it's arguably one of the most endangered species, too. All known populations of this fantastically colored snake occur in scarce coastal and bayside wetlands in San Mateo County.
The Center is working to protect and restore habitat for this rare and unique turquoise serpent.
Numerous toxic pesticides known or suspected to harm garter snakes are used in San Mateo County. The Center is challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's registration and authorization for use of 44 toxic pesticides in and upstream of habitats for San Francisco Bay Area endangered species, including the San Francisco garter snake. We continue to monitor and oppose harmful chemical pesticide use in California through our Pesticides Reduction Campaign.