Saying Goodbye in September

 
Photo by Katie Fitzgerald

As summer draws to a close, so too does our time in the Golden Gate National Parks. From San Mateo through Marin, the Park Stewardship community programs interns are spreading our wings to explore new challenges.

We began here one year ago, a collection of seedlings from across the country who found nourishment in the Park Conservancy community, quickly hardened by difficult plantingdays in the rain and wind.

Well-nurtured, we set our roots down for a year and formed a strong plant-intern community, both amongst ourselves and with other people who love this great park.

We made lasting friendships with volunteers, and even though it is time to uproot ourselves from this place, we’ll all cherish and remember the wonderful experiences we had here.

Thanks to everyone who made these last 12 months a joy, and we hope to see you out in the park again sometime soon!

– Tanya & Nick

Announcements

Interested in enjoying a day out in your local park while helping to improve the health of the coast? Join us for California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16 from 9 am–noon and pick up trash to improve the aesthetic and ecological quality of the coastline. Choose from a wide variety of sites, from city parks to national ones, and make trash extinct! See here for more information and to register.

Parks Conservancy File Photo

Get out to Mt. Tamalpais on September 17 and participate in a strenuous hike from the Stinson Beach Trailhead to the summit of the mountain. If you want more information, or to reserve your spot, see here.

Parks Conservancy File Photo

If you enjoy writing while surrounded by the serenity of nature, this workshop is for you! Join a National Park Service Ranger on September 23 from 3–6 pm in Muir Woods, and explore the relationship between place and yourself while shaded by peaceful old-growth redwood trees. For more information or to reserve your spot see here.

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Interested in life beyond our planet? If so, join NASA research astronomer Natalie Batalha on Mt. Tam as she discusses discoveries made by the Kepler mission, the implications of finding habitable planets beyond our solar system, as well as what it’s taught us about our own Earth. Event starts at 8:30 pm on September 23, see here for more information.

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service Website

Come out to Night-Howl on September 23 to support the Trails Forever initiative and party in your national park! Located in the Presidio and featuring a live DJ, complimentary food and drinks, games, henna and more, Night-Howl promises to be one “howl” of a good time. See here for more information and to purchase your tickets!

Are you a big fan of birds of prey? If so, come out to Talons, a festival celebrating all those incredible raptor species. Hosted by The Hungry Owl Project, Talons will provide great opportunities to connect with other bird enthusiasts, enjoy local food and wine, and will feature a special guest appearance by, among many others, our very own Allen Fish, director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. Event is on September 24 from noon–4 pm, see here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Photo Courtesy of the Hungry Owl Project

Happy trails!

By Tanya Vincent
Ecological Restoration and Volunteer Management Intern

Twelve months ago, when I accepted the Ecological Restoration and Volunteer Management Internship, I had a slight idea of what my next year would entail—some restoration work, some community outreach, and a lot of fog.

But, little did I know, this was just a fraction of what would become one of the most influential years of my life. 

A year ago, I had no idea how many incredibly compassionate and genuine people I would meet over the course of this position. I had no idea how many impassioned conversations I would share with co-workers, peers, and countless members of this unique and inspiring community that I have been able to briefly call home.

I was not at all prepared for the amount of people I would come to greatly admire and respect. And I definitely could not have anticipated the amount of knowledge and passion that would fill each staff meeting and site walk and field day.

I knew I would learn a thing or two about plant ecology and habitat restoration, but I was not aware how much I could learn from the strength and inspiration of this community.

The dedicated volunteers who showed up to programs each week, rain or shine; the knowledgeable members who contributed to our wildflower walks; the loving and united cohort of staff whom I have so gratefully worked alongside for the last year—they have all left a huge impact on me and my aspirations in the years to come.

Because of this position, I am now certain that I want to continue to inspire ecological consciousness within the community. The people whom I encountered and all the work that we have done throughout this internship have confirmed the positive change that could be generated by a positive and dedicated community.

So, to everyone who ever came to our programs, read our newsletters, or simply took a moment to appreciate our Golden Gate National Parks: Thank you.

Thank you for reaffirming the power of grassroots organizations and the strength of teamwork.

Thank you for generously dedicating your hours to preserving these parks for future generations.

And most importantly, thank you for proving that there are still compassionate, selfless, genuine individuals who want to make the world a little better, in any way that they can.

As I embark on the next chapters of my life, I hope that the energy and spirit that make up the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy always remain the same: positive, hopeful, kind, and accepting.

I am sure I will be back to visit, but in the meantime, try to be nice to the new interns.

“At the heart of the coming environmental revolution is a change in values, one that derives from a growing appreciation of our dependence on nature. Without it there is no hope. In simple terms, we cannot restore our own health, our sense of well-being, unless we restore the health of the planet.” – Lester R. Brown

Photo by Nick Regent

Thanks for the Memories

By Nick Regent
Ecological Restoration and Volunteer Management Academic Intern

Photo by Steve Wilson

It’s hard to believe that this internship is ending, and even harder still to imagine that less than a year ago I was fresh out of college with only a few nebulous ideas about what I wanted to do and be.

The past months have been illuminating to my career and life goals, and I have everyone in the park to thank for that.

This position has given me the opportunity to work closely with some absolutely wonderful and inspirational people, people who bring an authentic joy and passion to their work and who encourage and inspire everyone around them to do better work, and be better people.

I’ve learned that the natural resource and environmental fields attract these kinds of people, and I’m excited to continue to meet wonderful passionate colleagues wherever I end up.

Another incredible group I’ve had the honor to work with has been the scores of dedicated and committed volunteers, both from scheduled groups and those who drop-in consistently week after week. It was a blast to have a new group or two out at our sites every week, to learn about what they do and to share our love for parks, open spaces, and stewardship with them.

As for our regular drop-ins, the committed few who brave our sites week in and week out, I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know them. In some cases, I feel that I have become good friends with many of them, which in turn makes it harder to leave this incredible community. They are a large reason that this internship has been an unforgettable experience, and I thank each and every volunteer who has spent a program with me.

I’m happy to say that this internship has helped me to clarify my career goals, and helped me discover an interest and passion in natural resources that I never knew I had.

It’s hard for me to believe, because a year ago I had little idea of what direction to go, and in such a short time I’ve realized that this field is the only one for me, and that I couldn’t do anything else. This is due not just to the actual work, but again partially because of the people who are drawn to this type of work and who make it so special.

I’m at once both saddened and excited to leave this position. Saddened because what I’m leaving behind feels like a family, but excited because they’ve shown me that a family like this can be found everywhere, especially in this line of work, and because I know I’ll always be welcome here.

Once again, thank you all for everything, and bye, for now.

Photo by Tanya Vincent

Highlights from the Field: August–September

Photo by Katie Fitzgerald

Lands End

• 121 bags of invasive species removed!
• 75 feet of social trails rehabilitated

Presidio Coastal Bluffs

• 197 native species planted
• 10.75 bags of pesky Ehrharta cleared

Fort Funston

• 29.5 bags of ice plant pulled!
• 25 young YMCA stewards

Check out our Flickr page for pictures from volunteer workdays!

Drop-In Volunteer Programs

See you in the field!