If you haven’t recently visited the parklands nestled around the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, bundle up (bring a rain jacket just in case!) and come on out this winter. Two striking new features were finished this fall, and they’re ready for you and your holiday guests to explore.

If you’ve got free time, come volunteer in the parks! Not only is it free, but it’s a fun, rewarding, and healthy way to spend a summer day. And it’s easy to get involved. Give volunteering a try—you’ll be glad you did!

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…