As the summer draws to a close and the Institute at the Golden Gate moves into its next phase of programming, the team is reading a number of great sources for inspiration. What are the staff’s essential end-of-summer reading picks?

Since she started work as the new superintendent at Golden Gate in November, Laura Joss has been busy getting to know the 80,000 acres of these parks. In an exclusive interview with Park Eventures, Laura talks about her favorite national park sites—and the mission that inspires her.

To better protect Muir Woods’ extraordinary natural resources and improve visitor experiences and safety, the National Park Service will require reservations for vehicle parking and shuttle seats, beginning Jan. 16, 2018. Reservations can be made online or by phone starting Jan. 1.

One of the earliest residents of Yerba Buena. A pioneering dairy rancher during the Gold Rush era. And a woman who, for U.S. servicemen in WWII, became synonymous with San Francisco. In honor of Women’s History Month, read their stories and more.

Mount Tamalpais Trails is your one-stop, must-have resource for exploring Mt. Tam. In this exclusive interview, author Barry Spitz—one of the preeminent authorities on Tam—shares his favorite spot, his recommended hikes, and his greatest challenge in walking every single trail on the mountain.

Interested in studying hawks, falcons, and eagles as a volunteer with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory? Learn about May recruitment meetings, and hear about the wonder of this work from current banders and hawkwatchers—some of whom have been volunteering for over two decades!

This year we’ve missed seeing volunteers, program participants, students, and the rest of our park community in person—but we’ve been so inspired by what we’ve been able to do together at a distance.

Over 20 years, the Crissy Field Center team has reached over 750,000 participants through their programs. Programming has always used parks as a platform for young people to develop skills to create change in communities and society through environmental and social justice.