“Thinking Globally” – Remarks by Greg Moore Executive Director, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

As we celebrate Fort Baker’s new era today, we’re reminded of how often our past sets the stage for our future.  Just over 100 years ago, officers and soldiers first occupied the historic buildings surrounding this parade ground.  They came in service to their country.  They guarded this magnificent harbor.

They kept their eyes trained toward the Golden Gate and the world beyond.  For most of the 20th century, this small military village stood vigilant – protecting America and its place in the global community.  It was an era of protection.  It was a time of service.  It was a place of community.  Today, we turn the page to a new era of protection, of service, and of community.  Here, we now protect a national park for future generations – from the endangered mission blue butterflies on the surrounding hillsides, to these historic buildings, to the beauty of the magnificent scenery.  Here, we serve and welcome visitors from our region, from across our country and from around the world – to enjoy this national park in this international setting.  And here – at this landmark site during first decade of the 21st century – we chart a bold new purpose for Fort Baker: a purpose that resonates with the history and the values of this national park.  We issue a call to action:  to move from Fort Baker’s 20th century role of aiding the protection of our country to its 21st century role of supporting the protection of the global environment that sustains us all. The Institute at the Golden at the Golden Gate will dedicate itself to that mission – a mission of conservation and sustainability – in our park, in our region, in our nation and in our world.  Sponsored by the Park Service and Parks Conservancy, the Institute will be located at Fort Baker.  And this setting speaks to the very conservation action we hope to advance.

Across this parade ground, we gaze up at Fort Baker’s buildings and grounds, designed with environmental principles and operated with green standards.  We sit both within a national park and United Nations international biosphere reserve.  We look out the Golden Gate to one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world.  We are proud residents of the Bay Area – a region renowned for its environmental leadership, talent and innovation.  And we are ready to greet, through the symbolic and welcoming reach of our Golden Gate, the world community – a community eager to engage in the challenges and opportunities facing our environment and the sustainability of our planet. With all these assets, Fort Baker is destined to become a place of inspiration, dialogue, problem-solving and environmental action.  The lodging, meeting and outdoor spaces here will advance the Institute’s purpose.  We invite leaders, innovators, and policy makers from all sectors – to take advantage of this splendid setting and join us in our mission.  Already, people are responding to this invitation. Just recently, the Institute at the Golden Gate hosted local leaders from the public, nonprofit and business sector to address climate change in the Bay Area and to develop cross sector solutions.  This summer, the California Environmental Dialogue will bring business and environmental leaders here to address issues of sustainability for our State.  A “Going Green Conference” is scheduled for September 2008, bringing together 400 leading “green-tech” entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.  Later this month, diplomats from over 80 countries will gather here as an introduction to America’s national park system and its relevancy around the world.  And for next year, the United Nations Environmental Program and World Conservation Union are considering summits and meetings here.  

Today, you’ve heard about community leaders and conservationists who have “Acted Locally.”  We are inspired by the Congressional leaders joining us today who have taken action nationally.  And at Fort Baker, here in the shadow of the Golden Gate, we are all committed to “Thinking and Acting Globally.”

 Thanks to the vision, leadership and support of Congressional leaders sharing the stage with me – and so many of you in the audience – Fort Baker is ready to advance its new mission of service to our country and the world.  With this vision, we will reach far beyond the borders of this national park.  With this vision, our local community will connect with our global community. With this vision, we will join with others around the world in advancing the most pressing challenge and opportunity of this century – protecting and conserving the home that sustains us all: our Earth.   As our dearest park friends and supporters, at this historic place, at this historic moment, we invite you to join us.