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Parks

Oakland star tulip (Calochortus umbellatus), Marin Municipal Water District, Mt. Tamalpais, © Rob Badger and Nita Winter
Flower Power: Photo Exhibit Seeds Hope in Mitigating Climate Change

Supported in part by the Parks Conservancy, an exhibition of wildflower photos by Rob Badger and Nita Winter (through March 27, 2016 at the San Francisco Main Public Library) inspires hope in reducing the impacts of climate change. See more beautiful images, captured in our parks.

Buffalo Soldiers
Buffalo Soldiers: The First African American 'Park Rangers'

On the 150th anniversary of the formation of the African American Buffalo Soldiers regiments, learn about their vital role in the history of the national parks (and of the Presidio)—and discover why Teddy Roosevelt had a special place in his heart for them.

sea lion
Plight of the Pinnipeds: El Niño and Suffering Seals and Sea Lions

The Marine Mammal Center, based at Fort Cronkhite, rescued 1,800 animals in 2015—three times the average. Learn about one culprit, domoic acid, and how it’s produced, how seals and sea lions are affected, and why El Niño exacerbates its effects.

Are There Really More Great Whites Off Our Shores?

Media have been buzzing about recent great white shark sightings in the area. But we went to find out the truth about these mysterious (and unfairly maligned) fish, by asking noted biologists such as Parks Conservancy Trustee Dr. John McCosker.

Alcatraz Night Tour
Five Bone-Chilling Date Spots to Warm Your Boo’s Heart

With “boo”-tiful sites aplenty, the Golden Gate National Parks are full of places to take your date on Halloween (or some other dread and dreary night by the Bay)—especially if you want him or her seeking safety and comfort in your arms.

Small butterfly with open, bronze-colored wings, becoming blue towards her abdomen
Where in the Parks Can You Find the Mission Blue?

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.

Frank Dean
A Dean Among Rangers: Park Superintendent Retires

After a National Park Service career of almost 40 years, Frank Dean is retiring. Learn about his enduring legacy at Golden Gate—and find out what’s next for Frank in his remarkable life of work on behalf of public lands.

Cormorants nest in a large colony on Alcatraz
A Bird’s Eye View of Alcatraz

Join Chris Briggs, research director of our Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, for a tour of the nesting birds on Alcatraz. In this essay, he points out some rookeries on the Rock—and shares the sad history of the turn-of-the-century feather craze.

art
Super Sad True Presidio Love Story

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.

Fort Baker
Valentine's Day in the Parks—Date Ideas for Everybody!

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for greeting-card shills, sappy romantics, and the cynics who hate them. Here in the Golden Gate National Parks, we have park sites for everybody on V-Day. Our expert staff chose the perfect place to spend the holiday—with your sweetie, with your buddies, with your puppy, or all by yourself.