CONSERVANCY COMMONS

Please hold this coming Thursday, April 18, 9:30 - 11am for our All Staff Webinar. Please note that registration is no longer required.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Casey at cfaamausili@parksconservancy.org

Read the latest executive meeting notes here!

Meeting Notes, April 9 2024

Meeting Notes, March 19, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that we share that our former Parks Conservancy colleague Mike Moser passed away recently from an aortic aneurysm. Hired by Charley Money in 1989 to work at the front desk, over the next 32 years he grew along with the organization, culminating in the position of Director of IT. Mike retired from the organization in 2022 and was living his best life in Key West with his husband Thom.

Mike was a generous human being supporting colleagues through a lot of change to help transform us into the organization we are today. He did his work with intention, knowledge, experience, humility, and kindness. Our hearts go out to Mike's family, friends, and colleagues, many of whom are still working here today. 

A celebration of life will take place in Key West in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Anchors Aweigh, 404 Virginia St., KWFL. url: anchorsaweighclub.com

In her recent message to staff, Chris gave an update that we are in the process of recruiting for the Chief Development Officer and Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer positions. For both open executive roles, we have assembled employee search committees to bring inter-disciplinary perspectives and experiences in helping us craft job descriptions and position announcements.

We look forward to sharing news when these roles are filled. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the Parks Conservancy as we continue to grow and for the part you are playing in moving us forward.

Michele Gee, recently shared our our 2024 fiscal year second quarter (Q2) strategic plan highlights. These highlights reflect many, but not all the amazing work that our staff and partners have done over the past months. These materials are attached and always available on the Values and Strategy SharePoint page under Workplans and Progress.

 For staff that do not have timely access to their email or SharePoint, we request managers make printed copies available and post in common areas. 

Last week SFGATE published a story about a partnership between Alcatraz Gardens and the Insight Garden Program. Shelagh Fritz, and NPS Ranger Oliver Goodman have begun a plant exchange with incarcerated women at a Central California Women’s Facility. The plants have been installed on the West Side of the island, where the gardens were tended to by incarcerated men during the island's time as a prison.

A new Moving History webpage is available and features some of the digitized historic films from the park’s collections including a 1974 tour of Alcatraz, the FEMA shock tube at Battery Townsley, a test firing of a disappearing gun in 1941, and clips of Golden Gate Bridge. The Museum Program will be adding more as they are converted.

The Parks Conservancy kicked-off implementation of the Bolinas Lagoon Wye Wetlands Resiliency Project on March 29, working with a contract crew from Hanford ARC to install erosion controls. In the coming weeks, staff from the Park Projects and Design team will remove invasive species in advance of construction activities scheduled to begin this summer. This climate resilience project will protect the sensitive marsh and Highway 1 from sea level rise.

Are you curious about your local environment? Do you wish you knew the name of that flower in the sidewalk, the fly on the wall? City Nature Challenge https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/ is coming, and every observation of the life around you contributes to this international effort to document it. The opportunities to get involved abound, whether on your own or as part of a local event, including with One Tam!

This month, The Well focuses on care and resources for pregnant people and non-birthing parents.

April calendar: Featuring health observances, education and resources for a range of health topics.

• Flyer: Featuring information on ways to support yourself during pregnancy and after delivery.

• Newsletter: Providing info on prenatal care and Black Maternal Health Week.

Join the volunteer team for Spring Days of Service! Celebrate Earth Day, National Volunteer Week, and National Park Week with the Golden Gate national parks. From habitat restoration and park maintenance to community science programs, there's something for everyone. Bring yourself, your friends, and your family to take action and make a difference in your National Park!

When: Tuesday, April 16th, 2024–Monday, April 22nd, 2024 - and beyond!

Where: Project locations vary throughout the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), see below for more details.

Check out the incredible schedule of events and trainings being offered throughout the GGNRA during Diversity Makes Us Stronger Month.  Quite literally every day of the month, there are amazing array of both in person and online opportunities.

Link to flyer to sign up: https://tinyurl.com/Diversity-Makes-us-Stronger

Please print and share the poster to help get the word out!

Tuesday, April 23, Presidio Tunnel Tops! [21+]
Hello Parks Conservancy staff! You are all cordially invited to the second annual Parks4All: Pink Full Moon Stroll at Presidio Tunnel Tops! This is your chance to break out all of your best pink clothing and accessories to celebrate change, growth, and good times with all of your friends. A general admission ticket will get you access to the pink dance party with DJs Galen (Sunset Sound System) and Russell Vargas in the Glass Pavilion and Ananda-Ji (Andy Peri) in the outdoor area. You’ll also be able to look through telescopes provided by our nonprofit partner Unistellar and receive free pink swag (while supplies last). Food and drink will be sold by Fort Point brewing and Il Parco. This event is strictly 21+.

Tickets cost $25 for General Admission. We are offering Parks Conservancy staff a special $5 discount with promo code GGNSTAFF. Staff also has free entry to the early Park Lovers presentations (a $10 value!).  We hope to see you there!
parksconservancy.org/events/pink-full-moon-party-2024

4/17, 2 pm, Workshop: LinkedIn for Job Search, Part 1

4/17, 7 pm, Rare Plants of Mount Diablo

4/18, 1 pm, Interviewing Essentials

4/18, 9:30, Bystander Intervention Workplace Mini-Training

4/19, 10 am, Resilience: This Moment And Beyond

4/23, 6:30pm, Get Ready for City Nature Challenge 2024

4/28, 3 pm, Workshop: Resume Writing and Cover Letter

5/2, 1 pm, How to Apply for a California State Job

5/9, 7:30, Nature-based Adaptation – Multi-benefit strategies - SF Bay Shoreline

5/22, 9 am, Mental Health First Aid - Serving Adults (sign up asap)

Wildflowers of the Bay Area - California Native Plant Society and POST (1 hr.)

Wildlife Connectivity From the Bay to LA (1.5)

Important Plant Areas of California with Sam Young (1 hr)

Meet the San Francisco Garter Snake (1 hr.)

iNaturalist Tips -2021 (1 hr)

Field Safety:

Rattlesnake Safety For Field Staff with Dr. Emily Taylor

Field Safety Training with David Yacubian

Mental Health First Aid Trainings, Virtual:

• 5/13 | 9 am-4 pm Virtual Mental Health First Aid Serving Youth
• 5/22 | 9 am-4pm Virtual Mental Health First Aid Serving Adults

We have open positions! Apply yourself or forward to a peer. All qualified applicants will be given thoughtful consideration.

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

Share your favorite photos, videos, and more from the parks and beyond on Viva Engage by logging in with your work email and password.