Park E-ventures Newsletter Archive

Def-eating Weeds: A Holiday Feast of Nonnative Plants

Across the parks, volunteers root out nonnative plants to help restore wildlife habitat. But did you know that those weeds can be quite tasty? Just in time for holiday meals, enjoy these recipes that use nonnative species found in the Bay Area!

CAUTION: As always, be sure to positively... more >>

Many Ways to Love Tam, All in One Place

The Tamalpais Lands Collaborative—formed earlier in 2014 by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, National Park Service, California State Parks, Marin Municipal Water District, and Marin County Parks—aims to reinvigorate community stewardship of Mt. Tamalpais.

A new web site, OneTam.org, is a major catalyst in that effort.
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Our National Park: A "Bucketful of Joy"

“Going to Crissy Field is as amazing as a kid not getting homework for the rest of the year.”

“Crissy Field Center was as awsome as buying a little kid a ice cream.”

“Being there was as fun as being on a roller coaster for the first time.”more >>

One Cool Cucumber: Marah and its Frightening Fruit

Known by a number of names (including wild cucumber, man root, and big root), Marah fabaceus, or Marah oreganus, isn’t what you would call a soft and fuzzy native plant, or one that might incite “oohs” and “ahhs” as you hike the park trails.

This creeping ground cover, which you’ll find... more >>

Citizen Scientists Root for the 'Sea Hawks'

This coming February marks the first meeting of the Citizen Science Association, to be held in San Jose, Calif., and one of the more interesting and powerful CS concepts is the idea of “outcomes.” How is a citizen volunteer changed by participating in scientific research? The results might be mundane,... more >>

Hirsutory: A Hairy History of the Parklands

With men around the world growing mustaches in “Movember,” we sought inspiration in the annals of the Golden Gate National Parks. These parklands have seen many fine gentlemen of the face fur, and this list will “razor” awareness of some fascinating historical figures!

Click on the images below to learn more... more >>

“Cat” Café: Quick and Easy Cattail Recipes

You may have seen cattails’ tall green shoots poking out of a wetland, or glimpsed its distinctive brown seed heads while swimming in a lake. But, did you know that they are also highly edible? 

From roots to shoots, different parts of the plant can be ground into flour, sautéed, or... more >>

Growing Gains: Reflections from Two Nursery Youth Interns

Last summer, we were a part of LINC (Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities), an internship with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy that strengthened our personal connections with the natural surroundings. We went around to different parts of the Golden Gate National Parks, such as Alcatraz, Mori Point,... more >>

8 Must-Do's at the New Presidio Officers' Club

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Touted as San Francisco’s most historic building, the Officers’ Club—once a social hub for U.S. Army officers and their families—has roots that go back to the earliest days of Spanish settlement, in the late 18th century.

The Presidio Trust’s October 4–5 reopening celebration culminates a three-year revitalization... more >>

Coastal Cleanup Day 2014: Let’s Make Trash Extinct

Whether or not we realize it, we all depend on a healthy ocean. Despite this fact, humans produce one of the greatest threats to our ocean’s health—pollution. What kind of pollution? The California Coastal Commission uses the term “marine debris,” and defines it as any manufactured or processed solid waste... more >>