Park Stories

Highlighting the people, engaging programs and beautiful places that make the Golden Gate National Parks special. Can't get enough? Sign up for our monthly E-ventures newsletter, and become a member today to receive our gorgeous Gateways newsletter quarterly. More about our publications here

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Park Stewardship San Mateo intern Laurasia Holzman Smith.
Article
These parks, including Rancho Corral de Tierra, have shown me what it means to be resilient and persevere in the face of challenges and change.
Colorful dyed fabric.
Marin Parks Stewardship Newsletter Article
Let’s gather inspiration and delve into the cross-pollination of creativity and restoration!
Golden Gate Raptor Observatory intern Kirsti Carr.
Park E-Ventures Article
After a few minutes of listing bird qualities, Kirsti Carr stops herself and laughs. “I love everything about birds,” she admits. “They’re just weird!”
Man plays piano while at Fort Point National Historic Site
Blog
Pianos + Fort Point = A weekend of music under the Golden Gate Bridge! See our favorite Instagram photos of the pop-up performances from visitors like you.
Six youth leaders from summer 2019.
Gateways Article
All six Middle School Programs Instructors this summer were past participants in Crissy Field Center programs, so inspired by their own experiences that they wanted to mentor a new generation of park lovers.
A banded juvenile Red-tailed Hawk takes flight after release.
Park E-Ventures Article
As the chilly summer fog peels off the San Francisco Bay Area, grab your layers and get outside with the Parks Conservancy for these can’t-miss happenings from September through December.
Raven Chacon, together with Bay Area guitar-percussion duo, The Living Earth Show.
Park E-Ventures Article
This fall, thanks to our Art in the Parks program in partnership with the National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Parks become an art gallery and performance space with something for everyone to enjoy.
tagged Turkey Vulture
Article
I have always loved Turkey Vultures. It all started when I met Toulouse, the Turkey Vulture, when I was a volunteer at the Animal Resource Center at the San Francisco Zoo. As a GGRO Intern in 2008, I watched the Turkey Vultures do their wobbly, effortless soaring around Hawk Hill...
volunteers restore natural habitat using tools
Article
You have seen it, you have likely walked by it countless times, but what really is ice plant and what are its effects on our parks?
fog drifts through a coastal forest
Article
Fog is a staple of San Francisco and its surrounding neighborhoods, especially in the summer. How do the natural ecosystems of the area take advantage of this mysterious mist?
two people smile for the camera while holding plants they removed during a volunteer event
Article
The National Parks have a never ending “To-Do” list and a great portion of this list is taken on by our amazing volunteers. This season we are pointing a spotlight to a very special volunteer who has been working with us for almost a year!
Myotis yumanensis (Yuma myotis)
Article
Did you know that there are bats in California? Or even in the Bay Area? Not only do we have a large bat population in this region, but bats are an essential part of California’s ecosystems and they may be at risk.