When LINC students arrived at San Francisco’s Civic Center for the Heart of the City Farmer’s Market, they looked around, wide-eyed. They practiced, but stepping up to strangers with questions like “What do you think about climate change?” or “Are we gonna drown?” felt different in the moment.

By the end, they were getting doused by older people with water guns.

In 2025, Crissy Field Center youth programs broadened what “service” looks like in national parks. The Parks Conservancy connects people to nearby parks, builds climate resilience learning, and brings those lessons back to local communities. This year, youth stepped into the work in more visible and powerful ways.

The Heart of the City event capped a summer of learning for LINC (Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities) youth leaders. They restored habitat and visited park sites like Bothin Marsh, where rising seas frequently flood trails. They researched environmental justice topics, built presentations, and prepared to engage the public.

Staff selected the farmer’s market for its proximity to transit, bringing together people from across San Francisco. Youth devised a passport activity, a spin wheel with the “dousing” option, and other tools to spark conversations, drawing in more than 50 community members to learn about environmental justice and climate resilience.

“They were so proud of themselves,” said Darryl Burton, Program Manager. “When you have a moment like that, it makes you want to do more.”

This summer, LINC will build on that momentum. Youth in one cohort will work alongside park scientists to gather real data and contribute to projects with meaningful scientific outcomes.

With your support, young people are deepening their connection to the outdoors, and shaping their own paths toward a climate‑resilient future.

From Hawk Hill, the world stretches out in every direction. The Pacific glimmers to the west. The Golden Gate Bridge appears below like a thread tying the region together. People often pause here, taking in a view that creates both awe and calm.

These moments are why parks matter in everyday life. They remind us that nature is close, accessible, and part of who we are. After 15 years of careful work over three phases with NPS, along with the support of donors, the California State Coastal Conservancy, and the California Wildlife Conservation Board, this beloved hilltop is more welcoming than ever. With your help, we’ve restored trails and revived habitat for the endangered Mission blue butterfly.

At the summit, you’ll see accessible areas, new seating, and interpretive elements that highlight raptor migration and the site’s layered military history.

After we cut the ribbon in December, visitors are embracing the new experience. Families stop for pictures and cyclists take a breather with the views. Golden Gate Raptor Observatory volunteers and park staff now have improved access for fall migration counts.

Hawk Hill shows how philanthropy and partnership can transform a place. It’s a daily reminder of the power of nearby national parks, and the importance of creating new pathways so everyone can enjoy their stunning benefits.

It was a Big Day at Mountain Lake in the Presidio: Birders spotted Black-crowned Night Heron juveniles, a Belted Kingfisher diving into the lake for fish, and a group of Cedar Waxwings. For the folks attending from Latino Outdoors, there was next-level joy learning those species in Spanish: Martinete Común, Martín Gigante Norteamericano, y Ampelis Americano.

The Parks Conservancy and our partners work to ensure all communities have access to the benefits of nearby nature, and that means breaking down barriers to park experiences that might feel inaccessible, like birding. That’s why we’ve hosted several Bilingual Birding events with partners like Latino Outdoors, the Golden Gate Bird Alliance, and Peninsula Open Space Trust.

“People love it because it’s not easy to learn and know bird names in Spanish, or even facilitators who have that knowledge,” said Aurora Cortes of Latino Outdoors. “And so we were there with the Parks Conservancy and the Presidio Trust and they were able to just share so much information.”

At the Mountain Lake event in August, most who participated had never been birding before or even been to the lake. Facilitators provided binoculars and large pictures with species names in both languages to make them easy to spot.

The joy of spotting birds can only be topped by the joy of having somebody speak your language. That’s the power of breaking down barriers: Ensuring these public lands are truly enjoyed by all.

• Martinete Común Black-crowned Night Heron
• Ampelis Americano Cedar Waxwing
• Martín Gigante Norteamericano Belted Kingfisher