Gateways Article

As iconic as the National Park Service (NPS) arrowhead emblem, the subtly steepled hat worn by NPS rangers is a symbol of America’s national parklands.

Welcome to our new Hit the Trail feature! We’ll go in-depth on one of our park sites and get you ready to explore.  First up: The western edge of the Presidio.

Shelagh Fritz, Program Manager for Alcatraz Historic Gardens, has worked to install an innovative rainwater catchment system on the Rock. We sat down with Shelagh to learn more.

It’s a larvae-eat-larvae world out there. But somewhere along the line, nature evolved a way of balancing things out: a symbiotic relationship with native formicine ants.

Although the wildflowers are numerous and diverse in a super bloom, there are still reasons to not step on or pick your local wildflowers. (As a reminder, it is illegal to pick or collect plants in national forests, parks, and monuments without a permit!)

Superhero movies might be trendy, but being a hero to the parks never goes out of style—especially during times of need (ahem, partial federal government shutdown).

Bruce Fowler is currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison. Through the San Quentin Arts in Corrections program, he participated in the Art in the Parks installation Future IDs at Alcatraz. Fowler’s artwork, depicting a sailboat and his captain’s license, is on display along with other IDs in the New Industries Building at Alcatraz through October. 

In 33 years with Greg Moore at the helm, the Parks Conservancy and its partners have helped transform and restore Crissy Field, Lands End, and Fort Baker, ushered in the Presidio as its own national park, and built thousands of miles of trails.

Beloved Ranger Fredrick—or Rik—Penn is retiring after 30 years of public service. Penn is passionate about storytelling, sharing the history and impact of the Buffalo Soldiers, and increasing visitation to our public lands for all people.