Fog is a staple of San Francisco and its surrounding neighborhoods, especially in the summer. How do the natural ecosystems of the area take advantage of this mysterious mist?

You have seen it, you have likely walked by it countless times, but what really is ice plant and what are its effects on our parks?

I have always loved Turkey Vultures. It all started when I met Toulouse, the Turkey Vulture, when I was a volunteer at the Animal Resource Center at the San Francisco Zoo. As a GGRO Intern in 2008, I watched the Turkey Vultures do their wobbly, effortless soaring around Hawk Hill. One day on the Hill, someone said to me, “You will get tired of watching Turkey Vultures when you go to Veracruz.” Well, that person was wrong. My experience in Mexico, watching thousands of vultures on migration, only increased my love for vultures. Incidentally, in Mexico, Turkey Vultures are called “Zopilotes.”

This fall, thanks to our Art in the Parks program in partnership with the National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Parks become an art gallery and performance space with something for everyone to enjoy. 

As the chilly summer fog peels off the San Francisco Bay Area, grab your layers and get outside with the Parks Conservancy for these can’t-miss happenings from September through December.

All six Middle School Programs Instructors this summer were past participants in Crissy Field Center programs, so inspired by their own experiences that they wanted to mentor a new generation of park lovers.

Pianos + Fort Point = A weekend of music under the Golden Gate Bridge! See our favorite Instagram photos of the pop-up performances from visitors like you.

After a few minutes of listing bird qualities, Kirsti Carr stops herself and laughs. “I love everything about birds,” she admits. “They’re just weird!” 

Let’s gather inspiration and delve into the cross-pollination of creativity and restoration!

These parks, including Rancho Corral de Tierra, have shown me what it means to be resilient and persevere in the face of challenges and change.