Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Announces Leadership Transition

SAN FRANCISCO. (March 14, 2018) — The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy today announced plans for a transition in its executive leadership in the coming year. Greg Moore, founder and longtime leader of this nonprofit conservation organization, will be stepping down as President & CEO and transitioning to a new role as Special Projects Advisor. His transition is planned for early 2019. The Parks Conservancy’s Board of Trustees has launched a search for Moore’s successor.

In his new role, Moore will work closely with the Presidio Trust, the National Park Service, the community, and donors to complete the Presidio Tunnel Tops parklands, the enhancement of Crissy Field, and other high priority projects.

“Greg is recognized as a global leader in urban park transformation and renewal,” said Colin Lind, chair of the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees. “Under his bold leadership, the Conservancy has provided more than $500 million in support to the Golden Gate National Parks—among the highest level of support by any national parks nonprofit organization in the country.

From the restoration of Crissy Field, to the conversions of the Presidio and Fort Baker from military posts to national parks, the revitalization of Lands End, and establishment of one of the nation’s foremost environmental youth centers, Greg, along with his partners at the National Park Service and Presidio Trust and the staff of the Parks Conservancy, has preserved our national park treasures and built a community dedicated to preserving these lands forever,” Lind added. “Equally important, he has worked to make the Bay Area’s urban parklands more relevant and accessible for everyone. We are extremely fortunate that he will continue to advance our vision ⎼ Parks For All Forever ⎼ in his new advisory role. We thank not only our partner agencies for their support but also want to recognize Greg’s most enduring partnership ⎼ with his wife Nancy and son Zack. They have encouraged and inspired Greg throughout his tenure at the Conservancy.”

“Our national park system is often called America’s best idea,” said Moore. “Over the past 30 years, I have been honored to help bring this idea to life in the Golden Gate National Parks. I offer my deep appreciation to the Conservancy’s partners, trustees, staff, volunteers, and donors who work together to create remarkable park places—places that provide enjoyment and inspiration, help us grow, and connect us to our history and to each other. I’m delighted that my forthcoming position as Special Projects Advisor will focus on bringing some key park transformations, such as the Presidio Tunnel Tops, to completion.”

During his tenure, Moore advanced the vision of national parks as being relevant to the needs of urban America. This vision brought in the support of elected officials, community members, business and civic leaders, and philanthropic foundations. Bold park-marking projects garnered the support of major Bay Area philanthropists, at the time resulting in the largest philanthropic financial gifts to a nonprofit partner in National Park Service history. As a result, large-scale restoration and revitalization efforts were achieved, all with extensive community consultation, engagement, and support.

The Board of Trustees has engaged the executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates to assist the organization in finding a new president and CEO. The board anticipates a national search to identify a highly qualified, visionary executive who can guide the organization into its next phase of work and continue to advance the principles of collaboration, community engagement, and inclusion that have defined the Conservancy over the last three decades.

About Greg Moore: A Passion for Parks

Greg Moore, who began his career as a National Park Service ranger and environmental planner, has devoted his professional life to national parks, public lands, and urban parks. He played a significant role in the founding of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and has served its top executive since 1985. During three decades of visionary and effective leadership, he has been instrumental in transforming thousands of acres of national parklands at the Golden Gate through partnerships among the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Moore currently serves as Vice President of the National Park Service Friends Alliance and on the boards of the Conservation Lands Foundation and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. He is also a former member and past President of the Board of the Association of Partners for Public Lands and the NPS Friends Alliance. In addition to his U.S. work, Moore has served as an advisor to various park projects internationally, assisting the Chinese, Australian, New Zealand, South African, and Italian national park systems in developing broader avenues for public involvement and community-based conservation.

Key Accomplishments under Greg Moore’s Leadership

Achieved in partnership with the National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and other partners:

Crissy Field Restoration. In partnership with the National Park Service, the Conservancy led a community-driven $34 million restoration and fundraising project – with lead gifts from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the Robert and Colleen Haas Fund – that transformed Crissy Field from an abandoned military site to a beloved national park and opened to the public in 2001.

Presidio Transformation. In partnership with the National Park Service, the Conservancy converted this historic army post to national parklands in 1994. Since then, together with the Presidio Trust and the National Park Service, the Conservancy has built trails, bikeways, and overlooks; revitalized the Rob Hill Campground; restored a variety of ecosystems, and partnered on development of a new visitor center.

Presidio Tunnel Tops. The Conservancy has worked with the Presidio Trust and the community to develop the vision for a new park on the tunnel tops of the Presidio Parkway and is raising funds for its completion with a lead gift from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. This 14-acre park will include an expanded campus for youth education and re-connect Crissy Field with the Presidio’s main post.

Fort Baker Rehabilitation. The Conservancy and National Park Service worked together in 2008 on the conversion of this former Army post into a national park site. National Historic Landmark buildings were given new life through the creation of Cavallo Point, an ecologically friendly national park lodge.

Lands End Revitalization. With the National Park Service, the Conservancy led this community and philanthropic-supported project featuring restored habitat, new trails and overlooks, and the Lands End Lookout visitor center with lead gifts from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation and the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation.

Crissy Field Center. The Conservancy and National Park Service created an urban environmental education center that has served, since 2001, nearly 700,000 youth and family members. The Center focuses on serving diverse audiences and communities historically underserved by national parks.    

Community Stewardship. With the National Park Service and Presidio Trust, the Conservancy has provided volunteer and public education programs, including the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, Native Plant Nurseries, Park Stewardship, and Trails Forever.

Trails Forever. The Conservancy created and works with the National Park Service and Presidio Trust to implement this parkwide initiative to create a world-class trail system north and south of the Golden Gate. More than $108 million has been invested into park trails, overlooks, and restoration projects to date.

Golden Gate Bridge. In collaboration with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, the Conservancy organized the 75th anniversary bridge celebration and dramatically enhanced visitor amenities, trails and overlooks, including the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.

Park Visitor Centers and Services. With the National Park Service and Presidio Trust, the Conservancy designed, funded, built, and staffs park visitor centers and information facilities on Alcatraz, at the Presidio, Fort Point, Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, Marin Headlands, and Muir Woods.

Redwood Creek and Muir Beach. With the National Park Service, the Conservancy completed a large-scale restoration of Redwood Creek and the surrounding floodplain and wetlands at Muir Beach to enhance habitat and improve visitor access.

One Tam. The Conservancy works in partnership with the Marin Municipal Water District, California State Parks, Marin County Parks, and the National Park Service to secure the long-term health of Mt. Tamalpais and engage the community in the stewardship of the mountain’s watershed.

Alcatraz Island. The Conservancy works in partnership with the National Park Service to provide an award-winning visitor experience featuring the Cellhouse audio tour, as well as to restore historic gardens and rehabilitate historic buildings. In 2014-15, the Conservancy partnered with the National Park Service and the FOR-SITE Foundation to bring the dramatic art exhibit “@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz” to the island.

Institute at the Golden Gate. The Conservancy founded this program to advance the role of parks in addressing environmental and social challenges, including public health and climate change through innovation, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

National Recognition. Over the past 30 years, the Conservancy has become nationally known for its innovation, collaboration, and partnership skills and results. During this time, the Conservancy has received more than 75 local, state, and national awards for its groundbreaking projects and programs.

Conservancy Accomplishments at a Glance: Achieved in partnership with National Park Service (NPS), Presidio Trust, and other public agency partners.

•    Stewarded 80,000 acres of national parkland, in partnership with the National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and other public agency partners.
•    Provided $500 million in park support since inception.
•    Created 100 acres of shoreline park at Crissy Field, in partnership with the National Park Service.
•    Helped save 1,491 acres at the Presidio as national parkland.
•    Preserved 350 acres of Fort Baker as national parkland and rehabilitated over 25 historic buildings in partnership with the NPS.
•    Created and improved more than 155 miles of park trails and built 20 overlooks with the NPS and Presidio Trust.
•    Secured more than 7 million hours of volunteer service; more than 357,000 volunteers as of 2017 in partnership with the NPS and Presidio Trust.
•    Connected with nearly 700,000 young people of many backgrounds with nature, community, and the parks through the Crissy Field Center and Park Youth Collaborative partners.
•    Grew 2.8 million native plants for use at 100 restoration sites.
•    Protected 33 endangered and threatened species through habitat restoration and preservation efforts.
•    Served 1.6 million visitors on Alcatraz annually.
•    Rehabilitated or interpreted more than 100 historic structures. 
•    Produced more than 1,000 books, maps, guides and park products.
•    Counted more than 20,000 birds of prey annually, at the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory.
•    Supported by 14,000 members.
•    Received more than 75 awards for excellence.

About the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit membership organization that supports the Golden Gate National Parks—one of the most visited units in the national park system. Since 1981, the Parks Conservancy has provided more than $500 million in support for site transformations, habitat restorations, research and conservation, volunteer and youth engagement, and interpretive and educational programs. The Parks Conservancy’s work is made possible through the dedication of its members and donors; contributions from foundations, businesses, public agencies, and generous individuals, as well as earned income from the operation of park stores, cafes, and tours. Learn more at parksconservancy.org or call (415) 561-3000.