We the Parks

How national parks—and places like Alcatraz Island—can help us honor the past, spark connection in the present, and boldly shape a more just, inclusive future belonging to all of us. 

Over the course of my career in public service, I’ve had the honor of working in some of our nation’s most iconic national parks. Each one has taught me something different—but all have made one thing clear: national parks are living legacies, shaped by the people who protect them, the communities who engage with them, and the stories they choose to tell. 

Here in the Bay Area, we’re proud to help steward more than 82,000 acres across more than 37 national park sites in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. From Crissy Field to Mori Point, Muir Woods to Alcatraz Island, these places reflect what makes parks truly extraordinary—not just their natural beauty, but their cultural power, historical depth, and relevance to the conversations that matter most today. 

These places don’t just tell us who we were. 

They help us decide who we want to be. 

Where Reflection Sparks Responsibility 

Parks are more than escapes—they’re invitations. They invite us to reflect, to connect, and to rise to the challenges of our time, asking deeper questions about justice, community, and care. 

Nowhere is that truer than Alcatraz Island. Its military roots, its role as a federal penitentiary, and its transformation through the 1969–71 Native American Occupation all invite us to examine how this country has wielded power, excluded voices, and fought for change. 

At the Parks Conservancy, we uplift these narratives through the Cellhouse Audio Tour, programs like the Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series, and community-led storytelling.  

The story doesn’t end with people. The island’s thriving bird sanctuary, the restored Alcatraz Historic Gardens, and innovative rainwater catchment system are a testament to its ecological renewal and potential to model sustainable stewardship. 

When we say we’re preserving Alcatraz for future generations, we mean all of it—the past, the present, and the possibility. 

Seeing Ourselves in These Places 

Alcatraz has been the backdrop for blockbusters, thrillers, podcasts, and music videos. That’s part of its cultural resonance. People come for the legend. But they often leave with something deeper. 

This is the power of place-based learning. Pop culture gets people in the door—but when we take the time to tell deeper stories, curiosity turns into real connection. At the Parks Conservancy, we make space for both. 

Across our parklands, I’ve seen what happens when a place stops being just scenery and starts helping us see ourselves more clearly. It shows us where we’ve been, who we are, and who we have the potential to become. 

People Make Parks Possible 

I’ve spent much of my career working with the National Park Service—first as a park superintendent, then a regional director, and now as CEO of a friends group that partners closely with park staff every day. I’ve seen firsthand how much care and commitment it takes to keep these places open, welcoming, and thriving. 

Now, a proposed Reduction in Force (RIF) across the federal workforce could make that work even harder—threatening the loss of thousands of public servants: rangers, interpreters, trail crews, cultural resource specialists. The people who make our parks work. 

This isn’t just about staffing—it’s a reminder that parks depend on people. 

Parks can’t thrive without the people who care for them. As one of the largest national park nonprofits in the country, the Parks Conservancy is doing our part—but it will take more partners, more philanthropic support, and a shared commitment to keep these places strong. 

When we support the people behind our parks, we help make sure these places are here for all of us. 

Parks That Reflect and Include Us All 

One of the greatest responsibilities—and privileges—of my role is ensuring parks belong to everyone. 

That means telling fuller stories. It means showing up for communities who haven’t always felt welcomed. It means listening, adapting, and centering equity in everything we do. 

From Alcatraz to Ocean Beach, from the Presidio to Tennessee Valley, we’re working to ensure these parks reflect a future that’s inclusive, resilient, and just. 

The Belief Behind We the Parks 

At the heart of our work is a belief I carry with me every day: We the Parks. 

Parks are shaped by people—by how we care for them, how we show up for one another, and how we choose to honor the stories these places hold. 

Whether you're restoring habitat, mentoring a young person, or simply taking time to connect with a place, you’re part of something bigger than yourself. 

Standing up for parks means embracing their deeper promise, not just as places we visit, but as places we shape, steward, and share for generations to come. 

Because We the Parks is about all of us—doing our part to keep these places meaningful for the people who come next.