Park E-ventures Newsletter Archive

Institute Boosts Park Prescriptions Movement

Park Prescriptions has grown out of a conceptual phase into a period of rapid implementation. To ensure the sustainability of the movement, the Institute at the Golden Gate recognized the need to solve the operational hurdles present in collaborations between parks and health entities—as well as the necessity to hone... more >>

Soil Remediation and Community Conversations at the Presidio Bluffs

Since the Presidio began its conversion from Army post to national park, a myriad of projects were completed to preserve the rich history of the Army’s legacy while promoting a vibrant ecosystem that can be enjoyed by all. The soil remediation project on the Presidio Bluffs, southwest of the Golden... more >>

Parks: A “Home” for Homeless Youth

In San Francisco, an estimated 5,700 youth are homeless. With its mission to serve diverse audiences, the Crissy Field Center—an urban environmental education center—also provides programs for homeless children and families, through partnerships with organizations such as Hamilton Family Center, an organization that works to break the cycle of... more >>

Post-shutdown Power-up: We Need YOU for Planting Season

The parks are open and many of you are already back in action, keeping the parks spectacular and engaging our community at large. THANK YOU!
Thank you for your tireless support and dedication, and thank you for your patience while the parks were closed due to the federal government... more >>

Acorn Gathering: A Fall Tradition with a Long History

Though the seasonal change in the Bay Area can be subtle, the change in daylight and the slight chill in the air signify a shift in routine for most of us, and the park nurseries are no different. This time of year the nurseries staff is rounding out the growing... more >>

Big Bird, Little Bird: Size and Identifying Sex of Raptors

When observing animal species, the sexes often can be determined by noting differences in coloration, size, features, and even behavior. For example, male elk grow antlers, while females do not; in lions, the males have a mane, and the females do not. Among higher vertebrates, one manifestation of this “sexual... more >>

Fresh Take: Youth Interns Study Ohlone Traditions, Native Plants, Adolph Sutro

Sambhav Jain, Edie Zhang, and Colton Juliano are three confident, enthusiastic, and hard-working young people who took on the challenge of the Summer Youth Internship—an opportunity to gain valuable professional experience while enjoying their summers in the Golden Gate National Parks.

As part of their Park Stewardship duties with the Conservancy,... more >>

Golden Gate Selected for the 2014 National Geographic BioBlitz

National Geographic and the National Park Service have partnered to conduct a BioBlitz in a different national park each year during the decade leading up to the NPS Centennial in 2016. For 24 hours, volunteer scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members try to find and identify as many... more >>

How Can Parks Help Teach Climate Change?

With the exception of the Bay Area, it was another hot summer across America. Not the record-breaking waves of heat that scorched the country in 2012, but hot enough to exacerbate the wildfire season, deepen ongoing droughts and water issues, and get people talking about climate change.

It has also been... more >>

Community Group Programs Grow Park Awareness, Education

Last year, our Community Group Programs team led over 240 community programs. Community programs include ranger-led hikes, nature walks, and even offsite campfires. One of our most popular programs brings a campfire to a community organization’s site. We bring the fire and s’mores—and community groups bring the smiles! We also... more >>