NPS

A group of colorful wildflowers in front of a disused federal penitentiary building on Alcatraz Island.
Article

Just the essentials: How the Alcatraz gardens grow

For two months this year following the shelter-in-place order, the five gardens at Alcatraz grew wild and untended until Shelagh Fritz, the Senior Program Manager on the island, was able to return. The history of the Alcatraz Gardens is one of careful planning, wild growth, and dedicated work.
A teacher connected with her students via video for their trout release.
Article

Teacher releases trout on video for students: Good news from the parks

A teacher connecting with her students virtually. Young people comforting each other through poetry and photography. Even some hilarious 1-star Yelp reviews can help comfort us all during these times.
Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point.
Article

Coronavirus updates from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Stay safe in the parks

The health and safety of our park visitors, program participants, volunteers, interns, and staff is our top priority. We want to let you know about impacts to our parks as we try to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Water bottle covered in park stickers.
Article

Show us your national park stickers!

You’ve inspired us to find the world’s best national park sticker or patch collection. Do you have a water bottle or laptop that’s messier than the rest? You could win some NEW Golden Gate National Parks stickers!
ranger preparing for Boy Scout troop
Article

A hearty happy birthday to the National Park Service!

In honor of its birthday, here is a rapidfire history lesson about the parks and the creation of the agency that helps care for them.
Hawk Hill Trail
Events

Hawk Hill Cleanup Day

Hawk Hill
Many hands are needed to make Hawk Hill a safer and more beautiful place for all who visit! Hawk Hill is a popular visitor destination well known for its beautiful vistas and a place to observe migrating raptors. Join in to paint over unsightly graffiti on military Battery Construction 129...
A group of NPS rangers rally together during the Junior Ranger Jamboree in 2016.
Gateways Article

What’s the story of the iconic National Park Service ranger ‘flat hat’?

As iconic as the National Park Service (NPS) arrowhead emblem, the subtly steepled hat worn by NPS rangers is a symbol of America’s national parklands.
Box steps challenge hikers along the Batteries to Bluffs Trail
Gateways Article

Hit the Trail: How to find dolphins, digger bees on the western edge of the Presidio

Welcome to our new Hit the Trail feature! We’ll go in-depth on one of our park sites and get you ready to explore. First up: The western edge of the Presidio.
The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Rock's famed water tower in the background.
Gateways Article

'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.
Man holding fishing net with juvenile coho salmon in it. He's about to hand it over to a research to re-release it in Redwood Creek.
Marin Parks Stewardship Newsletter Article

Coho salmon: [Co]ming [ho]me to Redwood Creek

For coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), the connection between Redwood Creek and the Pacific Ocean is a matter of life or death.