Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales--from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska--Ken Burns' new documentary film program "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (airing Jan. 1, starting at 7:30 am on KQED) is nonetheless a story about people: people from every conceivable background--rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

It is the story of the people who cared enough to help create, protect and steward our national parks--as Parks For All Forever.

View "Never Happened..."

The Golden Gate National Parks were established in 1972 to preserve and protect remarkable parklands north and south of the Golden Gate. Take a moment and try to imagine if that did not happen.

In the Marin Headlands, there were plans to build a 50,000-person planned community named Marincello, with 15-story towers and many private homes. Concerned Bay Area residents rallied together and created a national park instead. Through ongoing community engagement and support from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, these PARKS FOR ALL FOREVER will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Click below for a peek at the future we avoided by protecting our Golden Gate National Parks.

Many thanks to Goodby, Silverstein & Partners for their creative vision and generous help on this piece.

Series Inspires Support for Golden Gate National Parks

These awe-inspiring places were preserved because of remarkable people...people just like you. Carry on this legacy by getting involved in the national parks on your doorstep--the Golden Gate National Parks.

Explore how to get more involved by visiting the parks, becoming a park volunteer, joining the Parks Conservancy as a member, and sharing ForOurParks.org with your friends, colleagues, and loved ones to bring them into our family of park supporters. And, get a sneak preview of the film!

Ken Burns at Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park