Bats are much more than a spooky and superhero symbol: They’re a seldom-studied species that are important to the overall health of an ecosystem. In Marin County, researchers have recently started studying populations and colonies of the these nocturnal, winged animal.

After the successful workshop in late September focusing on ocean acidification, Maria Eller, a Climate Education Fellow at the Institute at the Golden Gate, shares the top factoids (pHactoids?) and what you can do, as an individual and a community member, to curb its rise. You almost might learn a thing or two about BayCLIC, a climate education consortium.

Our trees may not change even a hue and our weather may not get much chillier, but you can find hints of more “traditional” autumn phenomena in the Golden Gate National Parks. Save yourself the plane ticket to the Northeast, and find the fall in the national parks in your backyard.

Partnering with the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has been facilitating guided park excursions for veterans.

Light up your loved one’s eyes, while you enliven your parks—by supporting the Conservancy’s education and conservation programs. Here’s a holiday-season primer on our park stores—and some specially selected gifts—that will delight AND make a difference!

Here’s a holiday gift from the park trail crew that truly everyone will enjoy: a newly finished, accessible trail segment that offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in the Bay Area—of the Golden Gate, Pacific Ocean, and Marin Headlands.

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…

With #GivingTuesday coming up on Dec. 1, remember how our national parks give kids a sense of wonder, peace, and purpose. See how even a $10 donation can help supply young people with an outdoor experience they’ll cherish forever.

“Going to Chrissy Fields is as amazing as a kid not getting homework for the rest of the year.” See how school kids described their trips to Crissy Field Center, in words and pictures. Share in their inspiration and delight as they give thanks to the parks!

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and see how the Golden Gate Trail Crew—alongside teams of dedicated youth volunteers—restored a portion of the Tennessee Valley Trail. Learn about the wonderful properties of a favorite trail feature: the box step.