The National Park Service is partnering with the George Wright Society to revive the West by Northwest Natural Resource Stewardship Training Workshop and Dialogue!

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POSTED APRIL 16: The final workshop program is now available.  C lick the button at the left for links to a program outline and the full program.

 

POSTED APRIL 8: REGISTRATION FOR THE WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED.  We look forward to seeing everyone at Fort Mason!

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Why? Understanding current and future drivers of change, while addressing the role of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, helps parks advance the stewardship of natural resources.

 

When? April 22–26, 2024 (key training dates April 23–25)

 

Who? You! and our NPS and partner colleagues working in natural resource management and applied science in our region

 

Where? The beautiful General's Residence in Fort Mason, Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco

 

What are we going to discuss?

The workshop has four themes:

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1. Conservation at Scale

 

Description:  

Conserving sustainable landscapes is one of the most significant challenges facing society in the 21st century. The challenges we face are larger than the Parks we work in. As Rachel Carson said, "In nature nothing exists alone.” The National Parks play a crucial role in landscape-scale conservation, given their responsibility for managing and preserving some of the country’s most iconic and ecologically significant areas. 

 

Overall training goal: 

The goal of this training will be to provide participants with the tools and knowledge to think and act within a large-scale landscape context. Topics covered will include leveraging opportunities through partnerships and collaboration, identifying conservation priorities across landscapes, and addressing challenges and opportunities to landscape planning and initiatives. 

 

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2. Protecting Natural Resources in a Changing Climate

 

Description: We know one thing for certain about climate change - even the best data from the past is not predictive for the future.  How do we work within this uncertainty and unpredictability?  What resources exist to support your park management decisions? 

 

Overall training goal: Ensure you know about the available NPS resources – the resist-accept-direct (RAD) framework, climate change vulnerability assessments, and ecological forecasting. Facilitate breakout sessions to learn from others, cultivate new ideas, and create lasting connections.

 

 

3. Building relationships through Indigenous knowledge and resource management

 

Description: Indigenous knowledge (IK) is recognized as one of the many important bodies of knowledge that contributes to our collective understanding of the world. As Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer tells us, "Science asks us to learn about organisms, traditional knowledge asks us to learn from them." This session will focus on working with Indigenous partners to better understand and incorporate IK into park resource management.  

 

Overall training goal: Discussions will touch on the importance of building relationships with knowledge holders, ways to identify opportunities for successful collaboration, and how Indigenous perspectives play a pivotal role in shaping effective management.    

 

 

4. Science Communication

 

Description: Durable conservation wins require a broad community-wide understanding of what's at stake and how we can move forward in protecting our biosphere. PWR completed a framework for science communication to help with this greater awareness, focused on telling stories about the conservation work happening in our parks. Creating compelling storytelling is a skill that can be put in to practice by people working in science in our region. 

 

Overall training goal: Introduce PWR staff working in natural resources to tools and techniques to improve science communication from our programs 

 

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Can I get out into the field and see what's going on?

Yes! We have four exciting field trips to Golden Gate NRA and Point Reyes NS lined up for Friday, April 26:

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• Golden Gate NRA (GOGA)—Muir Woods: See recent creek restoration work designed to improve creek function and habitat for coho salmon. $80 (includes box lunch)

• GOGA—Crissy Field: A walking tour from Fort Mason to Crissy Field where we will see a landscape transformed by restoration from an abandoned airfield to a matrix of wetlands, dunes and visitor infrastructure. $30 (includes box lunch)

• Point Reyes NS (PORE)—Tomales Point: A hike along the Tomales Point Trail to discuss the history of tule elk management, what changes to expect with the forthcoming Tomales Point Area Plan, and how we are incorporating both tribal and wilderness values into the development of the plan. $80 (includes box lunch)

• PORE—Abbotts & AT&T Dunes: Learn about PORE's extensive and varied efforts to restore coastal dunes for T&E and other rare species. Includes mechanical excavation and prescribed burning. $80 (includes box lunch)

 

What else can I expect?

• Time set aside to network

• A chance to share my work with others

• Connect and network with colleagues from across the Region

• Create many ways for participants to connect, share and learn

• Encourage those new to the Service or early in their careers

• Create training sessions where we can share some common vocabulary

• Make the experience as affordable as we can

• Minimize our carbon footprint — be as zero waste as possible — help coordinate shared rides or lodging

• Camaraderie ... togetherness ... a positive experience!

 

How much is the registration fee?

General Registration, $120; Interns & Fellows, $60; NPS Alumni $60.

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Where can I stay?

We have lodging reserved at federal per-diem rates at several nearby hotels, and at well-below-per-diem rates at Hosteling Internationals' Fisherman's Wharf Youth Hostel. Click the Register button above for details.

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I'm interested!  How can I attend?

Click the Register button above for more information, costs, and a registration form.

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Key deadlines

• March 11: Last day to cancel registrations and receive a refund ... registration and field trip fees are nonrefundable after March 11

• April 8: Last day to register. POSTED APRIL 8: REGISTRATION FOR THE WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED.  We look forward to seeing everyone at Fort Mason!