As 2012 draws to a close, we want to give an enormous and heartfelt THANK YOU to all park volunteers! We are incredibly grateful that you choose to give the gift of your time and energy to these parklands. Read on to see your amazing year of accomplishments.

As part of celebrations nationwide, the Golden Gate Trail Crew will lead five projects across our parks. Find out how you can give back to our amazing trails on June 7, 2014—and help build a brand-new trail connecting some picturesque San Francisco landmarks.

As the National Park Service celebrates its Centennial in 2016, a major goal is to bring more diverse and younger visitors to the parks. Here in the Bay Area, Kieron Slaughter is developing programs to do just that—with a little help from the Institute at the Golden Gate.

Crissy Field—San Francisco’s beloved front yard and one of the Conservancy’s signature projects—continues to evolve as a visitor destination. As we assess its uses and evaluate maintenance needs, we’d love to hear your ideas on improving this shoreline park.

Our six native plant nurseries, spanning from Marin to San Mateo, have the amazing role and privilege of growing natives for the many restoration projects in the Golden Gate National Parks. As we celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge in May, learn how native plants “bridge” the myriad habitats of these national parklands.

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!

It was three years ago that the Franciscan manzanita was discovered along the old Doyle Drive. How is that manzanita doing in its new home? And what are the plans to re-establish a sustainable population of the plant and the other species that historically grew with it?

It’s mission blue butterfly season in the Golden Gate National Parks, and you can catch a glimpse of this endangered species at Milagra Ridge. Learn about this diminutive butterfly—and the plant upon which its survival depends.

It’s time for an adventure—in the pages of a book or on a path through our parks! Learn about free and fun activities from the San Francisco Public Library, National Park Service, and Parks Conservancy—including reading programs, ranger talks, park shuttles, and more.