Fleet Week and America’s Cup Pitch In!

October 5-7, 2012 was one very busy weekend in San Francisco, with Fleet Week and America’s Cup headlining the many, many events going on in the city. Even so, folks involved with both spectacular events still found time to give some TLC to the Golden Gate National Parks.

On Friday, Oct. 5, nearly 40 America’s Cup event organizers and sailors took time off from their busy racing schedule and headed to Fort Mason to help with landscape restoration in the Great Meadow as part of their Healthy Ocean Project, in partnership with Aquarium of the Bay.

Simultaneously, more than 150 U.S. Marines Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard volunteers served in the parks over the course of Thursday through Saturday on several projects, ranging from garden projects on Alcatraz to trail work and habitat restoration at Fort Funston. Once again, their effort and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated. “Working with the U.S. Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy during Fleet Week is one of the year’s highlights for staff, interns, and volunteers,” said Michael Chassé, a natural resources management specialist with the National Park Service. “We look forward to continuing this new tradition!”

Collectively, these volunteers contributed over 570 hours of service to the parks, the equivalent of over three months of work for one full-time employee. A tremendous amount of work was accomplished. They removed truckloads of invasive plants, cleared overgrowth in the historic Alcatraz garden terraces, spread truckloads of mulch and soil for landscaping and restoration projects, replaced stair treads and rehabbed the Fort Funston sand ladder, and more!

You can also see and feel their amazing energy in the slideshows and articles below:

• America's Cup Slideshow
• Fleet Week Slideshow
• America’s Navy, 10/9/2012
• ‘Calling in the Marines’ – Alcatraz Gardens Blog

Thank you America’s Cup, U.S. Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard volunteers for your incredible support! We look forward to working with you again in 2013.

To find out how you can volunteer, please visit our website or contact us at volunteer@parksconservancy.org or (415) 561-3044.