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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View of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands from the Presidio batteries
Park E-Ventures Article
On October 27 of 2012, it will be 40 years since President Richard Nixon signed the legislation to create the 34,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Since then, the Golden Gate National Parks—as these parklands are popularly called—have grown to more than 80,000 breathtaking acres. So there’s a lot to...
Park E-Ventures Article
Are you ENTJ or INFP? What about FOFU or MUWO? Take this short quiz and discover your “park personality!” Learn if you’re adventurous and rugged like Fort Funston—or strong and silent like Muir Woods. Through our completely unscientific (but totally fun!) system of 16 park-sonality types, you’ll find a whole...
Red-tailed Hawk monitoring
Park E-Ventures Article
This season, in 2012, the GGRO is able to use brand-new technology to help us track bird movements. On Friday, August 23 we put out a GSM (cell phone) transmitter on a female juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, nicknamed Augusta. This device utilizes a GPS device, similar to a hand-held or car...
LINC program participants explore Alcatraz Island
Park E-Ventures Article
How can a Park Stewardship summer program for high school students clear invasive plants along trails—and reveal pathways to careers in conservation? Hear the inside story from two alums who discovered that jobs working in nature go far beyond Animal Planet.
Volunteers at Coastal Cleanup Day
Park E-Ventures Article
California Coastal Cleanup Day 2012 was another tremendous success because of the amazing effort and enthusiasm of our community volunteers, as well as the leadership of our site captains and generosity of our sponsors. THANK YOU! In San Francisco alone, 3,500 volunteers collected over 10,000 pounds of debris—from our shorelines,...
Teens Working on Batteries to Bluffs Trail
Park E-Ventures Article
Teens on Trails is a volunteer program designed uniquely with high school students in mind: our volunteer work days are hosted on school holidays! Our goal is two-fold: we welcome students to cool park sites where we’ll provide some education, snacks, and good times—and in turn, much-needed work gets accomplished...
Coyote Brush
Park E-Ventures Article
One sure sign of “summer” in the Golden Gate National Parks is the sight of fluffy white seed blanketing hillsides. But where do these seeds come from? Where are they going? And why do we care? A Presidio seed collector takes a closer look.
Battery Boutelle before the Golden Gate Bridge was built
Park E-Ventures Article
Did you know that there is an old road that connects the Mission District to the Presidio? Crissy Field Center will explore the historical connection between the Mission and the Presidio on a four-mile history hike.
Park E-Ventures Article
This year, in 2012-13, the Institute and Cavallo Point Lodge will welcome groups like the Trust for Public Land, Environmental Defense Fund, Public Health Law and Policy, and the Marine Mammal Center through its special Institute group rate. In November, Future 500 will host its Stakeholder Engagement Workshop , focusing...
Crissy Field at Sunset
Park E-Ventures Article
If you’ve ever shared your park photos with friends, chances are you’ve caught yourself explaining how the pictures simply don’t do the beauty of the moment justice. Shooting a scene can be as easy as pointing and clicking, but capturing the actual experience of that scene is something that even...
Cycling in the Marin Headlands
Park E-Ventures Article
We asked a panel of bike experts for their favorite rides in the Golden Gate National Parks. Read on for the full prescription from these cycle-ologists: directions, descriptions, tips, and more. Then put your mettle to the pedal and get out there!
I-Yel group shot, Crissy Field Center
Park E-Ventures Article
After a recent visit to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, a Crissy Field Center staff member reflects on how national parks in rural areas can better connect with younger and more diverse visitors.