The Institute at the Golden Gate’s Healthy Parks, Healthy People work does more than just encourage new communities to utilize neighborhood parks as resources for improving health. This initiative also creates new advocates for the health of public lands, like the Golden Gate National Parks.

In 1806, Maria de la Concepcion and Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov fell in love at the Spanish Presidio of San Francisco—despite their differences in culture, language, and religion. And then, the only thing that stood between them and wedded bliss was the vast frozen expanse of Siberia.

We recently caught up with some of the environmental leaders who participated in a Google Earth Outreach training workshop last year at the Institute at the Golden Gate. Read on to see how they are using mapping technology. Also, learn details about the next workshop!

In 2014 at the Crissy Field Center, a National Park Service-supported program will provide more opportunities for kids to visit Alcatraz, a new program will give youth-group leaders the tools they need to lead park trips, and Summer Camp will get in shape with a Fitness Consultant!

New Institute at the Golden Gate Director Chris Spence tells us about his vision for the Institute—and his formative childhood experiences in the “spectacular countryside” of Bingley, England.

1. Can you give us a short highlight tour of your history?
I was born in England and spent most of my…

In April 2012, the Institute at the Golden Gate and Golden Gate National Parks will welcome the third National Parks Institute (NPI) Executive Leadership Seminar to Cavallo Point Lodge at Fort Baker. Park leaders from across the globe will come together to learn and share business management best practices to bring home to their parks.

In April 2016, a team of scientists hatched a daring plan to save some endangered mission blue butterflies from a Milagra Ridge site ravaged by a plant pathogen. See how—and why—they relocated a couple of endangered butterflies to another spot on Milagra.

Everyone knows Stinson Beach, Crissy Field, and Fort Mason’s Great Meadow are great places for a picnic. But, in celebration of Picnic Month, here are some lesser-known spots—hand-selected by our staff—for an al fresco meal with a view.

In February 2017, visitors to the Presidio will enjoy a brand-new gateway to this remarkable national park. Located in a Main Post guardhouse built in 1900, the William Penn Mott, Jr. Presidio Visitor Center features state-of-the-art displays, fascinating exhibits, and an information desk.