PO Box 11332
Santa Rosa, CA 95406
AS, CA, HI, NV, GU
The parks of the Pacific region, from Yosemite’s austere Half Dome to Sequoia’s eponymous trees, speak to our adventurous spirit. We dream of visiting the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin) and climbing the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. (Mt. Whitney). Hawaii’s tropical parks top our bucket lists, and we aspire to learn more about our country’s varied history at sites such as Manzanar National Historic Site. Based in Oakland, California, NPCA’s Pacific Regional Office—and its four field offices—focuses on raising the protections and profiles of the exceptional parks of American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada.
The dedicated staff of the Pacific region champion a diversity of park campaigns. Pushing to establish new national monuments that tell more of the American story (like the 2012 designation of California’s Cesar E. Chavez National Monument), they also strive to enlarge existing parks like Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. They fight ill-advised energy developments near fragile desert ecosystems and collaborate to protect the precious water resources at Kaloko-Honokohoa National Historical Park.
Through their diligent efforts, the first marine wilderness in the continental United States was defended at Drakes Estero in Point Reyes National Seashore and wildlife migratory routes were protected from a proposed industrial-scale solar project in the scenic Silurian Valley. Recently, they celebrated the passage of a new desert protection law in the California state legislature that furthers their two-decade campaign to protect the Mojave Desert from a water-mining project.
Pacific Regional Office Field Reports
These field reports provide timely updates and perspectives on issues of interest to our members and supporters in California, Nevada, Hawai'i, Guam and American Samoa.
See more ›Moving forward, they’ll continue to prioritize the protection of wildlife, natural resources and cultural heritage in their region. They’ll also expand their efforts to engage urban populations in the greater Los Angeles area and environmental justice communities throughout California’s San Joaquin Valley. There are uphill battles on the horizon, but we hope you’ll take a stand with the Pacific office to protect these amazing landscapes forever.
Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin is a truly superlative location. At 282 feet below sea level, it is both the lowest and driest point in North America, and its record-setting temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit makes it the hottest place on Earth. The massive salt flat covers nearly 200 square miles of Death Valley National Park, and lies more than two miles below the 11,331-foot Telescope Peak that looms above it.
Field Offices in the Pacific Region
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California Desert Field Office
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- Address:
- 61325 29 Palms Highway, Suite D Joshua Tree, CA 92252
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- Phone:
- 760.366.7785
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Sierra Nevada Field Office
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- Address:
- 4570 Orinda Way Sacramento, CA 95820
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Los Angeles Field Office
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- Address:
- 711 W. College Street Suite M68 Los Angeles, CA 90012
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- Phone:
- 213.393.5077
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More about the Pacific region
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Read more about Protect the California desert
ActiveAction Protect the California desert Urge President Biden and Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, to expand Joshua Tree National Park and establish Chuckwalla National Monument through use of the Antiquities Act.
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Read more about Support a Permanent Seasonal Reservation System at Yosemite
ActiveAction Support a Permanent Seasonal Reservation System at Yosemite For years, Yosemite National Park has been facing an influx of vehicles, causing traffic congestion, damage to the park resources and infrastructure, and intensifying strain on park operations and staff. A permanent seasonal reservation system to manage the number of vehicles in the park during the busiest times of year is the most common-sense path forward to improve visitors’ experiences, protect Yosemite’s beloved natural and cultural resources, and keep park operations sustainable into the future.
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Read more about Protect the Greater Joshua Tree Landscape
Advocacy in Action Protect the Greater Joshua Tree Landscape In the face of threats of climate change and habitat loss, expanding Joshua Tree National Park and establishing a new Chuckwalla National Monument would protect critical habitat, promote equitable access to nature, and preserve the desert's rich cultural history.
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Read more about California's National Parks: Struggling for Clean Air
NPCA at Work California's National Parks: Struggling for Clean Air It might come as a surprise that California’s crown jewel national parks — Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree and Yosemite — struggle with some of the dirtiest air of any parks in the nation.
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They are wonderful places to share experiences with family near and far :) — Brynne
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Read more about Protect Eagle Mountain from Dangerous Development Proposals
NPCA at Work Protect Eagle Mountain from Dangerous Development Proposals Just outside the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, the region known as Eagle Mountain has been at the center of controversy over inappropriate, harmful development proposals for years. Incorporating these lands into the park could help protect them from the latest threat, the Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project. This massive energy development stands to pump millions of gallons of water from the fragile desert aquifer in and around the park.
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Read more about Support the Proposed Rim of the Valley Expansion
NPCA at Work Support the Proposed Rim of the Valley Expansion With more than 17 million people, the Los Angeles Metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the country, yet it has less open space than any other large urban area on the West Coast. The Rim of the Valley proposal, which would expand Santa Monica National Recreation Area, represents an opportunity for the National Park Service to protect some of the last wild lands and historic sites in the greater Los Angeles area.
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Read more about Protect Mojave from the Soda Mountain Solar Project
NPCA at Work Protect Mojave from the Soda Mountain Solar Project Developers have proposed building the Soda Mountain Solar Project, an industrial-scale renewable energy facility, less than one mile from the boundary of Mojave National Preserve. It would be the closest renewable energy project to a national park site in the entire southwestern United States, in the middle of a critical pathway for desert bighorn sheep.
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Read more about Two National Monuments Under Threat in the California Desert
NPCA at Work Two National Monuments Under Threat in the California Desert Last year, President Obama protected some of our country’s most spectacular and unique desert lands by designating three national new national monuments. Now, the Department of the Interior could attempt to alter or revoke federal protections for two of these important places.
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Read more about Pathways to Preservation: The Rim of the Valley Initiative and Future of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Regional Events Pathways to Preservation: The Rim of the Valley Initiative and Future of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Please join us for a panel discussion to learn about NPCA’s efforts to protect the greater Los Angeles area’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.
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Read more about Yosemite Hiking Adventure
Land Based Trip Yosemite Hiking Adventure Join us for an extraordinary week of hiking and exploration in Yosemite National Park! Our daily hikes will cover the gamut from popular, classic hikes to lesser-known gems. We’ll spend time in Yosemite Valley and venture up into the high country of Tuolumne Meadows to visit waterfalls, high peaks, stunning viewpoints and giant Sequoia trees. Your guides will provide insight into Yosemite’s geological features and rich glacial history as well as Yosemite’s wildlife, Indigenous history, and the significant contributions of Chinese American settlers to the park’s development.
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Read more about The National Parks of Hawai‘i (WAITLIST ONLY)
Land Based Trip The National Parks of Hawai‘i (WAITLIST ONLY) Welcome to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Join us as we explore one of the most remote destinations in the world, home to over 10,000 native species, with 90% found nowhere else on Earth. Our adventure will take us across four Hawaiian Islands, each boasting distinct and extraordinary environments. Here, expert biologists, naturalists and cultural interpreters will offer their extensive knowledge and perspectives of Hawai‘i’s national parks.
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Read more about Odd Bird Rescue
Magazine Article Odd Bird Rescue The two-decade effort to save an endangered seabird that nests in Redwood National and State Parks' old-growth trees.
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Read more about 6 Parks That Will Benefit Most from a New Rule on Old-Growth Forests
Blog Post 6 Parks That Will Benefit Most from a New Rule on Old-Growth Forests NPCA supports the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to protect rare, old-growth forests and leave our largest trees standing for future generations. Here’s why and where to find these majestic trees.
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Read more about Pacific Regional Office Field Reports
Report Pacific Regional Office Field Reports These field reports provide timely updates and perspectives on issues of interest to our members and supporters in California, Nevada, Hawai'i, Guam and American Samoa.
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Read more about 3 Lessons Learned from a Desert Tortoise in Joshua Tree
Blog Post 3 Lessons Learned from a Desert Tortoise in Joshua Tree NPCA has been working to expand Joshua Tree National Park and establish Chuckwalla National Monument to protect desert tortoise habitat. Here’s why an intact desert landscape matters for the tortoise – and us.
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Read more about Do or Die?
Magazine Article Do or Die? As climate change threatens some of the national parks’ most treasured species, scientists ponder a drastic strategy: moving plants and animals into new habitats to save them.
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Read more about Tour de Greg
Magazine Article Tour de Greg The feel-good sports film “Hard Miles” is inspired by the true story of a man who takes at-risk youth across the country on homemade bicycles.
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Read more about Parks Group, Community Leaders Welcome Department of Interior Leadership, Discuss Monumental Expansion to Joshua Tree and Chuckwalla Landscape Protection
Press Release Parks Group, Community Leaders Welcome Department of Interior Leadership, Discuss Monumental Expansion to Joshua Tree and Chuckwalla Landscape Protection “We have the chance to make Joshua Tree National Park whole again. I was born and raised in the California desert. Protecting this landscape is a part of who I am." – Luke Basulto, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager
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Read more about A Hiking Guide to the Rim of the Valley
Blog Post A Hiking Guide to the Rim of the Valley An insider’s guide to exploring this region of California that could soon become part of the National Park System.
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Read more about 5 Reasons the Rim of the Valley Should Be Protected
Blog Post 5 Reasons the Rim of the Valley Should Be Protected National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley are working together to protect places in nature for everyone to enjoy – including land that comprises the Rim of the Valley in Los Angeles, California.
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Read more about Preserving Chinatowns: How Many Are at Risk of Being Lost?
Blog Post Preserving Chinatowns: How Many Are at Risk of Being Lost? The National Park Service has said Asian American and Pacific Islander history is “dramatically underrepresented” among registered landmarks and historic places. NPCA and other groups are seeking to correct that.
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Read more about Holding Back the Sea
Podcast Holding Back the Sea What is life on the front lines of climate change like? In American Samoa, the ocean is washing land away as residents fight to preserve their way of life.
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Read more about National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley Announce New Campaign to Increase Access to Nature
Press Release National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley Announce New Campaign to Increase Access to Nature Supported by Nature Valley’s most recent donation to the National Parks Conservation Association, NPCA and Nature Valley are furthering efforts to preserve the land that comprises the Rim of the Valley in Los Angeles, California.
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Read more about 2024 Climate Ride Events
Partner Events 2024 Climate Ride Events Join the movement and bike, hike or run for our national parks at one of this year's Climate Ride events.
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Read more about Foundation Relations Manager
Staff Megan Conn As Foundation Relations Manager, Megan helps create and manage a successful foundation fundraising program on behalf of NPCA’s national and regional programs.
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Read more about California Desert Program Manager
Staff Luke Basulto Luke recently joined NPCA in 2022 but has worked in desert conservation for most of his life. As the California Desert Program Manager, Luke works with desert communities and assists in conservation efforts to protect the beautiful and sensitive desert landscape.
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Read more about Senior Administrative Coordinator, Pacific Region
Staff Alexandra Utts Alexandra joined NPCA in 2023. As Senior Administrative Coordinator, she manages the administrative functions of the Pacific Region. Alexandra has always had a great love for nature and visiting national parks.
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Read more about Director of Development
Staff Alana Weinroth Alana joins with a decade in successful fundraising, communications, and event management on both the national and local level. Prior to joining the team at NPCA, Alana served as Director of Development and Communications at Covenant House California, where she helped create strategic plans to grow and expand the organization, build a dynamic team, and create meaningful, lasting donor relationships.
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Read more about Major Gifts Officer
Staff Jarrod Fasching Jarrod brings more than a decade of fundraising and philanthropy experience to serve the incredible donors and partners who support NPCA. Having spent years supporting arts education and higher-education institutions, he is thrilled to bring his abilities to advocate for and protect his greatest passion, the national parks and the natural world.
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Read more about Communications Manager
Staff and Media Personnel Caitlyn Burford Caitlyn Burford joined NPCA in 2023 as a communications manager representing the Northwest, Southwest, and Pacific regions, along with NPCA’s work on national energy policy.
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Read more about Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 9
Resource Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 9 Strong state regional haze plans are critical to restoring clean air and clear skies to treasured places like Grand Canyon, Redwood and Yosemite National Parks. Unfortunately, states in EPA’s Region 9 are failing to adequately cut air pollution affecting national parks and wilderness areas. EPA’s Region 9, also known as the Pacific Southwest region, includes California, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada.
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Read more about Ozone Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet Ozone Fact Sheet Ozone threatens the health of park visitors and contributes to the disease and death of park species such as the black cherry tree in the East and aspen and ponderosa pine in the West. National park ecosystems across the country are already showing damage from ground-level ozone pollution.
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Read more about Making Things Whole
Podcast Episode Making Things Whole Soon, decades of work by the Chumash people could lead to the country’s first Tribally nominated national marine sanctuary near Channel Islands National Park.
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Read more about Park Talks
Regional Events Park Talks Join our NPCA community for virtual "Park Talks" to learn about our work and ways you can get involved.
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Read more about Working to Significantly Reduce Waste at National Parks
Resource Working to Significantly Reduce Waste at National Parks We're working to keep our parks cleaner for all of us and you can help!
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Read more about Outreach Manager
Staff Sally Garcia As our Los Angeles Outreach Manager, Sally will connect underrepresented communities to our public lands and building a cadre of national park advocates reflective of Los Angeles’s, and the nation’s, diverse and changing demographics.
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Read more about Laws Waived for Border Wall Construction
Resource Laws Waived for Border Wall Construction The Department of Homeland Security is waiving the following laws to build proposed sections of border wall in Arizona and California near national park lands.
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Read more about 10 Ways to Be a Park Advocate
Resource 10 Ways to Be a Park Advocate Want to be an advocate for parks, but don't know where to start?
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Read more about Sierra Nevada & Clean Air Program Manager
Staff Mark Rose As Sierra Nevada & Clean Air Program Manager, Mark provides support for NPCA’s conservation efforts in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as in the surrounding Central Valley and Sierra Foothill Communities.
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Read more about Find Your Voice: Mojave National Preserve
Video Find Your Voice: Mojave National Preserve In 2016, to celebrate the National Park Service centennial, 150 people experienced the wondrously dark night skies of Mojave National Preserve.
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Read more about FAQ: Golden Gate National Recreation Area Dog Accommodations and Rule
Talking Points FAQ: Golden Gate National Recreation Area Dog Accommodations and Rule The National Park Service has recognized that dog-related recreation in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is threatening the park’s natural resources and degrading the park experience for many user groups. GGNRA’s new zoning plan will replace an outdated, 1979 “pet policy” that was developed without considering scientific research and the diverse park uses.
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Read more about Southern California Director
Staff Dennis Arguelles Dennis, Los Angeles Program Manager, works on park protection and expansion efforts as well as engaging diverse and underserved communities not traditionally connected to the national parks.
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Read more about Senior Program Director
Staff Neal Desai Neal joined NPCA's Pacific office in 2004, and is now the Senior Program Director for this region.
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Read more about Senior Regional Director
Staff Ron Sundergill Ron joined NPCA in 2005. He is the Senior Regional Director for the Pacific office, overseeing the work of the regional office and its four field offices.
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Read more about Director, Communications
Staff and Media Personnel Kati Schmidt Kati Schmidt is based in Oakland, CA, and leads media outreach and communications for the Pacific, Northwest, Northern Rockies, Alaska, and Southwest regions, along with NPCA's national wildlife initiatives.
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Read more about Community Support for Rim of the Valley
Talking Points Community Support for Rim of the Valley Community Comments on National Park Service, Rim of the Valley Study, April 2015
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Read more about Opposition to Soda Mountain Solar Proposal
Letter Opposition to Soda Mountain Solar Proposal Collection of letters demonstrating opposition to Soda Mountain Solar
Explore Our Parks
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A–H
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail ›
- Cabrillo National Monument ›
- California National Historic Trail ›
- Castle Mountains National Monument ›
- César E. Chávez National Monument ›
- Channel Islands National Park ›
- Death Valley National Park ›
- Devils Postpile National Monument ›
- Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site ›
- Fort Point National Historic Site ›
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area ›
- Great Basin National Park ›
- Haleakalā National Park ›
- Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park ›
- Honouliuli National Historic Site ›
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I-O
- John Muir National Historic Site ›
- Joshua Tree National Park ›
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail ›
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park ›
- Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park ›
- Kings Canyon National Park ›
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area ›
- Lassen Volcanic National Park ›
- Lava Beds National Monument ›
- Manzanar National Historic Site ›
- Mojave National Preserve ›
- Muir Woods National Monument ›
- National Park of American Samoa ›
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P-Z
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial ›
- Pinnacles National Park ›
- Point Reyes National Seashore ›
- Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial ›
- Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park ›
- Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site ›
- Redwood National & State Parks ›
- Rosie The Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park ›
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park ›
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area ›
- Sequoia National Park ›
- Tule Lake National Monument ›
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument ›
- War In The Pacific National Historical Park ›
- Whiskeytown National Recreation Area ›
- Yosemite National Park ›
Preserve Our Parks
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