Park Stories

Do you enjoy being outdoors? Curious about our amazing world of plants? Want to meet other youth interested in stewardship and develop your leadership skills? Read on to see the difference young people make in the Presidio native plant nursery.

When the National Trails Systems Act of 1968 established a network of federally recognized trails across America, it also gave all of us a specific role and privilege. Learn what that is, and how National Trails Day (June 1) provides a chance to fulfill that duty.

Between 2010 and 2050, the Earth’s population is expected to rise by two billion people—almost all of them living in urban centers. Learn how the Institute is highlighting parks as vital factors for human and environmental health in an urbanizing world.

Welcome to an art gallery as big as the parks. Starting on May 22, 2013, Crissy Field—in the heart of our Golden Gate National Parks—will be a free exhibition space for eight steel sculptures by world-renowned artist Mark di Suvero.

Rather than going to your local grocery store, have you ever considered going out to your backyard for tea ingredients? You don’t need to look far to find plants that benefit your health, taste delicious, and—best of all—cost virtually nothing.

Ever sent a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge to someone? In Crissy Field Center school programs this year, we had the kids send their postcards to us! 

National Trails Day is right around the corner (June 1). So put on you thinking caps—or your hard hats—and grab a shovel, because you’ll need to dig deep into your memory and knowledge. It’s time to play Name That Trail Feature!

Even Charles Darwin, the preeminent biologist, had trouble defining a species. The more we learn, the harder it gets. Life does not always supply black-and-white categories—which can impact how we conserve and protect the species around us.

The park has partnered with SFSU and CCSF to engage college students in semester-long Academic Internships. The spring semester pilot in 2013 has been an incredible success and we’ve had the honor to work with some amazing young adults. Hear them share their experiences!

2013 marks the 175th birthday of "The Father of the National Parks"—John Muir. Many of us know him as a naturalist, but did you know that John Muir was also an engineer, writer, explorer, botanist, geologist, and the founder of the Sierra Club?

In the wake of releasing a new report, Climate Change in the Parks: Innovative Climate Change Education in Parks, the Institute is building momentum for a two-day conference that will gather educators and park leaders to forge new ways to engage the public.

Take a fascinating look back at National Park Service uniforms for women—from the “Army corps” look to the “stewardess” outfit. As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we explore how the evolution of NPS uniforms reflects women’s long struggle for equality in the workforce.