Our Work

Golden Gate Raptor Observatory intern Kirsti Carr.
On life and raptors: Intern's lessons learned in a year atop Hawk Hill

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!” 

From left, Middle School Summer Programs Instructors Imari Keith, Aiden Koontz, Kathleen Wong, Olive Tambou, Dion Chung, and Nhi Nguyen. The six youth leaders from summer 2019 were all past participants in Crissy Field Center programs.
Crissy Field Center 'Special Six' youth return as leaders

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.

Giuseppe Penone's "La logica del vegetale" on display at upper Fort Mason
Giuseppe Penone at Fort Mason

Gagosian, in partnership with Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Parks Conservancy through the Art in the Parks program, presents a yearlong outdoor installation by Giuseppe Penone in San Francisco’s historic upper Fort Mason.

Nature Journal Club, Watercolor Pencils for Botanical Painting
Nature Journal Club: Watercolor Pencils for Botanical Painting
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Join the Nature Journal Club for a 1.5 hour workshop on an important fundamental skill in building your field sketching skills! June's workshop will be taught by Claudia Stevens and will focus on using watercolor pencils  in creating botanical paintings. 

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Trail Crew volunteers help install fence posts at Baker Beach.
Transitions and expeditions for Park Stewardship Trail Crew

May was a month of changes at the trail shop, and new experiences for volunteers.

The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Rock's famed water tower in the background.
'Historic' water once meant for laundry now helps Alcatraz Gardens thrive

Shelagh Fritz, Program Manager for Alcatraz Historic Gardens, has worked to install an innovative rainwater catchment system on the Rock. We sat down with Shelagh to learn more.

Nature Journal Club, Safari Sketching
Nature Journal Club: Safari Sketching
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Join the Nature Journal Club for a 1.5 hour workshop on an important fundamental skill in building your field sketching skills! June's workshop will be taught by John Muir Laws and will focus on sketching animals that might be seen on safari. 

Register Now
A small group of people focus on individual tasks while working outside on a trail overlook a body of water
The story of a trail: Impressive work goes into rebuilding trails, saving species

Learn more about the process of new trail construction, and become inspired to join us out on the trail.

A large group of volunteers poses outside on a sunny day
Stories of stewardship: Volunteering with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

What can we learn when we’re given the opportunity to observe ancient practices and traditions? Read about one intern’s experience volunteering alongside the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, and the many things he was able to take away from the exciting opportunity.

A volunteer smiles while seated in front of a blooming hedge
Volunteer of the Season: Paul Barrows

This season, we’d like to take the time to thank and highlight some of our regular volunteers who have enriched our parks and our lives. For this spring, we’d like you to meet Paul Barrows, who has been volunteering regularly at Lands End for the last year and a half!

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