National Park Service ParkNews U.S. Department of the Interior March, April, May 2003 The Quarterly Magazine of the National Parks at the Golden Gate Sky Stories As earthbound humans, we tend to think more about the land under our feet than the sky over our head. In this issue, however, we look up—up at the fog that cascades over the Marin Head- lands like rivers of smoke, at the stars that pattern the heavens, and at blue skies accented by the hang gliders’ colorful wings. We also look up to determine what we may be missing; currently, light pollution inhibits roughly one in five people in the world from seeing the Milky Way at night. Start with “Weather at the Edge” (page 3), and learn how and why it’s possible to take a short walk almost anywhere in the vast Golden Gate National Parks and change your environ- ment entirely! From the Superintendent It is eight in the morning. At Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands, it is a foggy 57 degrees under lowering gray skies. Just four miles away at Fort Baker, the sun is shining brightly and the tem- perature is 65 degrees. Our park has been called “the park that makes its own weather,” a consequence of its unique geography and the micro- climates that geography creates. Harold Gilliam—in his small and useful book, Weather of the San Francisco Bay Region—says “If you don’t like the weather, walk a few blocks.” In the parks, a short hike or bike ride is an equally effective way to change your environment. The sky above the Golden Gate National Parks is a montage of quick- moving marine lay- ers that, depending on the season, will be burned off by the sun to reveal a cloudless, brilliant- blue sky. Coastal winds provide a steady Yo u ’re Invited Starry, Flying source of lift for Fort Funston’s hang gliders or Crissy Field’s windsurfers. to a Star Party Starry Night with Birds Inland, protected areas in Tennessee Amateur or professional, if you’re The NPS not only protects the land Fort Funston is hang glider heaven— Valley, at Muir Woods, or in Olema interested in the stars, there are plenty and its inhabitants, but also the skies find out why, as well as how hang glid- Valley have stretches so sunny and of places to indulge your curiosity in above; learn more about the “dark ers work and how the sport has windless that you need a hat to prevent the BayArea. skies” issue. evolved. sunburn. Across the parklands, bird- 4 6 7 watchers scanning the sky with binocu- lars are frequently rewarded for their efforts. Inside: Park Programs pullout calendar & “Seasonal Sights” [Continued on Page 2] Behind the Scenes Golden Gate National Recreation Area comprises over 75,500 acres of land, and protects more than 1,250 historic structures, 27 rare and endangered species, and many small “islands” of threatened habitat. NPS staff, volunteers, and partners work hard to take care of the park’s treasures for the millions of people who visit each year, and for future generations. Same Partner,New Name [Continued from Page 1] This spring, our nonprofit partner, the Golden Gate National Parks sponsoring some special hikes and ral- At night, away from the lights of San lying community enthusiasm to lend Francisco, stargazing programs bring Association, becomes the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. people into the park to view prominent a hand to the trails. We’re at the “trail- As the organization launches its third decade of service to the stars, planets, and galaxies, and perhaps head” of this new program—a pro- Golden Gate National Parks, Conservancy managers and trustees even an occasional comet or meteor gram that will eventually journey to shower. For those inspired by the moon, felt that the new name more clearly signaled its environmental pur- many destinations within our parks. the Sunset Full Moon Walk to Point pose and its deepening role in working with the NPS to conserve To learn more, visit www.parksconser- Bonita Lighthouse is an unforgettable the parklands for future generations. vancy.org and watch for notices of experience. Visiting Muir Woods by moonlight presents a whole new per- upcoming activities. spective on the old-growth forest. While its name is changing, the Conservancy’s commitment to the Big Lagoon Wetland Anyone who has taken the Alcatraz parks endures. Whether serving park visitors, enlisting volunteers, and Creek Restoration Night Tour can testify to the effect of or improving park sites, the Conservancy works side-by-side with Planning Underway the city’s sparkling lights when seen the NPS to ensure that our parks are preserved and open for all to from the island’s quiet vantage points. In cooperation with the San Francisco Surrounded by the black waters of the enjoy. To find out how you can help support our national parks at the Zen Center (owner of Green Gulch bay and punctuated by the lighthouse’s Golden Gate, visit the Conservancy at www.parksconservancy.org. Farm) and the California Department rhythmically rotating beam, Alcatraz at of Fish and Game, the National Park night is a dramatic place. (San Francisco Magazine recently named its night pro- Service is kicking off the planning and on revitalizing, expanding, and main- gram as the “Best tour in the Bay Ocean Beach environmental analysis process for the Lifeguards Begin Their taining the parks’ vast collection of Area.”) trails, trailheads, overlooks, benches, Big Lagoon Wetland and Creek Fifth Season picnic areas, and interpretive exhibits. Restoration project. This project will This issue of ParkNews focuses on the Since 1999, Ocean Beach lifeguards restore wetland and creek ecosystem skies over the Golden Gate National have been kept busy defending visitors function and will benefit threatened Parks. By day or by night, they provide The initiative will also serve as a vehi- the backdrop for some intriguing sights. from the wild waters west of the city. fish (especially coho and steelhead), cle to train students and volunteers So, go out and look up—you’ll find During their tenure, no drownings to be future stewards of our national red-legged frogs, and numerous other something new each time! have been recorded at the beach. Last parklands, preserve native habitats, native wildlife species. The project will season (their fourth), lifeguards effect- link natural corridors, and reach new also improve trails, visitor facilities, ed thirteen aquatic rescues, dozens of and parking in the NPS Muir Beach constituencies through outreach pro- Brian O’Neill cliff rescues, and thousands of safety grams. Many Trails Forever projects area. Look for opportunities to partic- Superintendent contacts. Swimmers were not the only are already underway, ranging from ipate in shaping this project; public ones saved—fifteen sea lions and 150 meetings, workshops, and site walks National Park Service extension of the Bay Trail from the U.S. Department of the Interior oiled birds were also rescued by life- west end of Crissy Field to the Golden will take place over the next eighteen guards. Cooperative efforts with the Gate Bridge to trail restoration plans months. For more information, visit U.S. Coast Guard rounded out 2002 the project website—www.nps.gov/ at Muir Woods and installation of 24 ParkNews Vol. 7, No. 3 and made it the busiest year yet for new interpretive waysides and kiosks goga/admin/planning—or contact pro- March, April, May 2003 the lifeguards. along trails throughout the parks. ject managers Jennifer Vick (561-4942) or Carolyn Shoulders (331-0771). Editors Volunteer Numbers This spring and summer, we’ll be in George Durgerian/NPS Susan Tasaki/Parks Conservancy Crunched the parks at various trailheads, cele- Kodak and National Design/Production Golden Gate National Parks volun- brating our park pathways and intro- Park Foundation Help Bill Prochnow, Mariell Ehlin teers have kept their place as the ducing you to Trails Forever. We’ll be “Visualize” the Parks Parks Conservancy most dedicated in the National Park Thanks to a grant from the National Cover Service, with an astronomical 365,495 Park Foundation through the generous Aerial view of the fogswept Golden hours donated during 2002. More support of the Kodak, Proud Partner Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands; photo courtesy Robert Campbell than 14,000 community members of America’s National Parks, we now joined park staff to restore habitat, Printing have the capacity to make the Golden Alonzo Environmental Printing greet visitors, monitor wildlife, lead Gate National Parks even more visible Hayward, CA outings, and perform clerical work. (and visual) to the American public. A very sincere thanks to each person Using equipment donated by Kodak— ParkNews is published four times a year who give time and effort to the park. a Kodak Ektapro 7020 projector, AV35 as a visitor service by the Golden Gate To j o in this generous crowd, call 561- National Parks Conservancy in coopera- Kodak Ektagraphic IR remote control, tion with the Division of Interpretation, 4755. 2 DX3900 zoom digital cameras and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Easy Share camera docks, document All correspondence should be directed to Division of Interpretation, Golden Introducing Trails scanner, and RFS 3600 film scanner— Gate National Recreation Area, Building Forever we can make new information avail- 201 Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA This spring, the park and its nonprofit able in close to real-time via our web 94123, Attn: ParkNews. partner, the Golden Gate National site (www.nps.gov/goga), as well as Printed with soy-based inks Parks Conservancy, are launching PARKS CONSERVANCY COLLECTION enhance our publications and hand- on recycled paper an exciting new initiative designed to Trails appropriate for every age and interest are outs and provide documentation to available in the Golden Gate National Parks.