Youth Programs

Marquis Engle is the program director at Up on Top, an after-school and summer program in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.
Why the spirit of the national parks is growing in San Francisco’s Tenderloin

The story of how a partnership with the Up on Top after-school and summer program has inspired ‘love and beauty’ in its enigmatic program director, Marquis Engle.

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy President & CEO Greg Moore.
Tangible impact: Greg Moore's forever parks legacy

In 33 years with Greg Moore at the helm, the Parks Conservancy and its partners have helped transform and restore Crissy Field, Lands End, and Fort Baker, ushered in the Presidio as its own national park, and built thousands of miles of trails.

Youth photographers' images from Crissy Field Center programs during the summer of 2018.
Viewfinders: Kids go from amateur to pro photographers

These amateur artists were new to DSLR photography before they came through the Crissy Field Center, which makes their heartwarming, hilarious, and artistic shots all the more incredible. See their images and hear their stories. 

Participants in a shuttle trip to Lands End in 2018 via the San Francisco Public Library's Summer Stride program.
Partnership between public libraries, public parklands leaps forward in 2018

Our already popular partnership with the San Francisco Public Library went to new heights in 2018. We saw a 24 percent increase in Summer Stride participation and 46 percent increase in ranger program participation!

Young people help wash pots
Nurseries Service-Learning

Learn more about service-learning programs for youth of all ages at the Native Plant Nurseries. 

Students check out a California poppy being grown at a nursery.
Green Thumbs Up (Grades 4-5)

Learn more about Green Thumbs Up, an education program for grades 4-5 at the Native Plant Nurseries. 

Students examine native plants in the demonstration garden.
Petal Pushers (Grades 2-3)

Learn more about Petal Pushers, an education program for grades 2-3 at the Native Plant Nurseries. 

A student sketches a plant during a Seeds to Flowers program
Seeds to Flowers (Grades K-2)

Learn more about Seeds to Flowers, an education program for grades K-2 at the Native Plant Nurseries. 

A child looks through a magnifying glass at a nurseries education program.
Education at the Native Plant Nurseries

The Parks Conservancy nurseries are hubs of community and education programming. We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for youth to explore their connection with nature.

YAC members try virtual reality in the outdoors
PYC Shared Voice - The Youth Advisory Council

By directly partnering with youth and empowering their voices, we are creating a park that is more relevant, welcoming, and impactful for the young people it serves.

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