Brisbane Bruno Mountain Display (1970)

David Schooley, Tony Attard and Helen Sullivan are three Brisbane residents who are "concerned citizens involved in the Save the Mountain campaign."

At present they have arranged a Flora and Fauna display of San Bruno Mountain at the Brisbane Library. The display, which includes a great deal of research about the Costanos Indians of the area, features Indian relics, earth shell mounds of Mussels, Clams, Oysters and Barnacles, various plants and seeds, minerals, gems, berries, original sketches of the mountain plant life, by Schooley, and a dramatic photo of a bulldozer devouring the earth. Soon an aerial photo of the San Bruno Mountain, from the US Forestry Department, will be added to the display.

"We hope to keep the display expanding until Spring," David said, "and bloom with the hill." The exhibit plants and seeds are identified by both common and scientific names and certain plants carry such advice as "Don't eat" or "Smell it."

The exhibit includes Cow Parsnips, Toyon Berries, Lemon Balm, Horse Tail, Wild Oats, Sage, Bay Leaf, etc. The display shows how Buckeye Pods were ground by the Indians, leeched because of the Toxin (which the Indians used to kill fish) and made into porridge and bread. Bay Leaves, according to Schooley, were used by the Indians to ward off the cold and Wild Cu- cumbers were a remedy for Kidney ailments.

After learning of the plans for the proposed Visitacion Rancho, David said he spent the whole day on the mountain wondering what could be done to "prevent this murder." He and his friends felt "if more people were aware of what the mountain has they would be more concerned about saving it."

On the "Save the Mountain" Hike Sunday, Schooley had the opportunity to talk with Elizabeth McClintock, co-author of "A Flora of the San Bruno Mountains," available through the California Academy of Science. Like Schooley, Miss McClintock has spent numerous hours exploring the mountain. The 70 year old environmentalist terms the San Bruno Mountain "A biological treasure."

There are also several books, featured in the library exhibit, on such subjects as plants, Indians, topography, geology, geography, biology and ecology.

The young group hopes to sponsor a Mountain Art Show and they plan to invite people to enter paintings, photographs, and poetry. The show will be held in Brisbane but date and aproximate location hasn't been determined, according to Schooley. Proceeds from the Mountain Art Show will benefit the "Save the Mountain" campaign.

For additional information contact Dave Schooley, 179 Sierra Point Road, Brisbane