CONSERVANCY COMMONS

This year, even though we were not able to have all of our volunteers in the field and since we could not meet in person for our annual Volunteer Appreciation party, we went virtual and held the first “GGRO Virtual Gathering” for our volunteer community. We celebrated those that helped us through a difficult year.

Here is a link to a video slideshow from the 2020 field season, along with a song written and performed by Deborah Crooks, a GGRO Hawkwatch Volunteer.

One Tam’s Conservation Management program is revegetating disturbed areas along Deer Park Fire Road at Mount Tamalpais State Park. Native grasses and forbs were added to slow the movement of water off the road and provide habitat in areas disturbed by construction. This planting complements the goals of the fire road rehabilitation and restoration efforts by the Redwood Creek crew along the road corridor. Work was done in partnership with CA State Parks natural resources and maintenance staff. Thanks to Liz Ponzini and Christina Crooker for their help in securing plants for this last minute project.

CFO J Mark Jenkins hosted our All Staff Meeting last week. The agenda included a salute to departing COO Nicolas Elsishans, an update on performance reviews, a DEI update, a spotlight on our new Safety Director, and presentation on our budget and strategic planning.

View recordings of previous All Staff Meetings, including presentations and transcripts, on Sharepoint

Last week, IT Director Mike Moser shared examples of phishing scams to keep an eye out for in your inbox. Please continue to be vigilant in spotting email messages that just don’t seem right. Calling someone on their Conservancy phone number is the best way to verify a message.

Check out the Safety page for a new post with tips for inclement weather. This is a good complement to the GOGA weather alert forwarded to all staff in advance of heavy winds and rain expected. Please share with your teams. As always, if you have ideas or would like to post anything, please reach out to safety@parksconservancy.org

Get notified when you're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine through SF.gov. Find out where you are on the vaccine priority list if you live or work in SF by filling out the form under the "Get Notified" button.

Read the weekly COVID Update report, which includes important changes to health orders and guidance and additional COVID-related information and resources. To opt-in to receive these messages directly to your inbox, sign up here.

Tune into the NPS-produced Park Postcard Podcast, the GGNRA's series of digital audio stories featuring the voices, memories and park experiences of rangers, partners and visitors. Episode 6 features community members from the Rafiki Coalition and the Presidio Trust's Amy Deck sharing their experiences watching Presidio projects come to life.

Visit the NPS website to listen to the full list of episodes as well as see the transcripts.

Share with your loved ones! Our online Park Store has a great guide on Valentine's Day gifts for kids and adults of all ages. Best of all, purchases support the Parks Conservancy and our mission.

In a message to staff, Chris shared the five “Touchstones” guiding decision-making in the Parks Conservancy's strategic planning. These Touchstones are the “North Star” to design and implement Conservancy 2.0. 

Learn more about the Parks Conservancy's Strategic Planning on SharePoint. You can read the 2021-2025 Strategy Direction document, access information from the Strategic Sprint, and see the Task Force Teams.

Claremont EAP understands that many people are experiencing ongoing stress from recent events. You can contact our employee assistance program, Claremont EAP, at 800-834-3773. They can provide you and your family members with no-cost, confidential counseling services, online support groups, and other types of free assistance, from stress management to crisis intervention. 

January 26, 7PM-8PM
Join us and the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Puente, and our partner Latino Outdoors in welcoming American civil rights leader and United Farmworkers cofounder Dolores Huerta for a conversation with founder of El Teatro Campesino and renowned American playwright Luis Valdez. They will reflect on their long history in the Santa Clara Valley, their work in the struggles for social and environmental justice, and perspectives on relationships between history, land and people in California.

Join members of the NPS DEI Committee for an additional virtual short film screening followed by a guided conversation of "Ashes to Ashes," a film that addresses the history and legacy of racial injustice in America through the art of Winfred Rembert and Dr. Shirley Jackson.

Visit the film's website to learn more

Click here to register via a Google Form 

We hope to see you there! Questions? Email dei@parksconservancy.org

Tues., 2/2 from 1-2 PM and Weds., 2/3 from 11 AM-Noon:
Join our partners on the NPS DEI Committee for a 1-hour dialogue to reflect on the events of January 6th and connect with one another in small breakout groups, for the majority of the dialogue. Ensure you have supervisor approval to attend this dialogue. 

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is going digital this year and will be a year-long event of exciting films and showings! The Banff Centre and REI have designated the Parks Conservancy as one of the local beneficiaries. Use this specific link to purchase tickets, and the Parks Conservancy will receive a portion of the proceeds.

Please share the link with your friends, family and networks

Jan. 27, 4-5 pm  How to Respond to Anti-Asian/American Harassment When it Happens to You

Feb. 4, 12-1 pm Environmental Justice and Ecological Blindspots NATIONAL CENTER FOR ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS

Feb. 11, 9-10 am The Intersection of Climate and Social Justice

Feb. 12, 12 - 1pm Hotspot in a Hotspot: Biodiversity in the Bay Area PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST

Feb. 18, 9 to 10 AM Making Land Stewardship Relevant, Relatable, and Inclusive TOGETHER BAY AREA

Feb. 19, 3 to 4 PM Conflict De-Escalation Training with IHOLLABACK

Learn how stress plays a part in your overall health. We will learn how to differentiate between normal and chronic stress. We will also uncover the effects of chronic stress on our hormones (and thus on our body weight). We will look at what nutrients your body needs when you are “stressed out” and, finally, learn some great stress management strategies.

Have a submission for the Conservancy Commons? Send content and images to commons@parksconservancy.org by Friday at 10am to be included in next week's newsletter.

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