350 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
#1100
Oakland, CA 94612
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:
- 767 N. Hill Street, Unit 302 Los Angeles, CA 90012
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- Phone:
- 213.437.0740
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More about the Pacific region
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Read more about Don’t Drain Our Desert Water
NPCA at Work Don’t Drain Our Desert Water NPCA and our allies are working to stop a private company from building a harmful water-mining project near several beloved national park sites in California
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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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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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The desire to change our way of thinking is a proactive kind of feeling but regret and shame only arise after the fact; when it's too late. Let us not wish we had been more accountable and wonder what happened to such wonderful pieces of our great nations history after they have been parceled and dissected into sparse reminders of their sublime majesty. Let us, instead, continue to be good stewards to the land which has provided us with so many rich and wonderful personal experiences and stories of good times shared with good people in a great land. — Ian
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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 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 Confronting America's Dark Past
Blog Post Confronting America's Dark Past 80 years ago, the federal government imprisoned innocent civilians for their Japanese ancestry. Today, survivors and their descendants fight to preserve the sites where these injustices took place — and to not let history repeat itself.
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Read more about Parks Group Welcomes Bill To Create Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Mojave Desert
Press Release Parks Group Welcomes Bill To Create Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Mojave Desert Bill introduced in Congress would protect nearly 450,000 acres in Nevada that are sacred to tribes and provide important habitat for native wildlife
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Read more about A Win for Wolves and National Parks
Press Release A Win for Wolves and National Parks Today’s court ruling restores federal protections for gray wolves in 44 states, including those roaming in North Cascades, Lassen and other national parks. NPCA and partners were plaintiffs in the case.
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Read more about Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity
Press Release Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity Habitat connectivity is crucial for the survival of mountain lions, gray foxes, California red-legged frogs and other wildlife in and around Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area.
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Read more about Learn About Black History in 9 Unexpected Places
Blog Post Learn About Black History in 9 Unexpected Places These fascinating sites share important and often overlooked stories about people who shaped U.S. history and culture.
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Read more about Fa‘a Samoa: The National Park of American Samoa
Land Based Trip Fa‘a Samoa: The National Park of American Samoa Immerse yourself in the community and culture of American Samoa with a rare opportunity to visit all three of the islands where the breathtaking National Park of American Samoa is located. You’ll spend eight days sampling local food, visiting tropical rainforests and hidden beaches, canoeing and snorkeling above vibrant reefs and discovering NPCA’s role in preserving the park’s diverse ecosystem and cultural sites.
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Read more about The National Parks of Hawai‘i
Land Based Trip The National Parks of Hawai‘i Experience the unparalleled cultural and natural beauty within all seven of Hawai'i’s national parks by joining expert biologists, naturalists and cultural interpreters as you journey through four Hawaiian Islands. NPCA experts and local guides will lead you on tours through the most awe-inspiring sites on the islands, including two active volcanoes, lava caves, native rainforests and the tallest sea cliffs in the world. Witness the sacred grounds and endangered species that NPCA is dedicated to saving.
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Read more about Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park Cruise
Small Ship Cruise Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park Cruise Embark on an unprecedented five-day expedition into wildness and wellness in the remote and remarkable Channel Islands as you learn about NPCA’s important role in the park’s history. Known as North America’s Galápagos, the Channel Islands and their surrounding waters provide habitat for more than 2,000 species of plants and animals, including 150 native species found nowhere else in the world. You’ll explore unmarred landscapes and revel in pure nature.
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Read more about Biden Administration Defends Desert Water, Sacred Lands and Wildlife from Cadiz Mining Proposal
Press Release Biden Administration Defends Desert Water, Sacred Lands and Wildlife from Cadiz Mining Proposal Administration moves to invalidate key permit for controversial Cadiz pipeline rushed through in final days of the previous administration
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Read more about The Land of the Giants
Magazine Article The Land of the Giants An artist’s view of Sequoia & Kings Canyon national parks in the age of extreme wildfires.
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Read more about Revolution Revisited
Magazine Article Revolution Revisited The quest to create a national park site about the Black Panther Party.
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Read more about Groups File Federal Lawsuit to Address California’s San Joaquin Valley Clean Air Crisis
Press Release Groups File Federal Lawsuit to Address California’s San Joaquin Valley Clean Air Crisis Suit challenges EPA’s failure to develop a federal plan to address PM-2.5 pollution in the San Joaquin Valley
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Read more about Your Mileage May Vary: 9 Parks to Explore Without a Car
Blog Post Your Mileage May Vary: 9 Parks to Explore Without a Car Spend time off the beaten path — literally. These 9 national park sites offer slower, quieter, human-paced alternatives to automobile-powered excursions.
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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 Communications Manager
Staff and Media Personnel Liam Kelly Liam is the communications manager for NPCA’s national energy program as well as the organization’s southwest, northwest and Pacific regions.
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Read more about LA Young Leaders Council
Resource LA Young Leaders Council As part of NPCA’s strategic effort to expand our core of young advocates and volunteer base, NPCA’s LA field staff created the LA Young Leaders Council (YLC) to engage young people from urban areas, underserved neighborhoods, immigrant communities and communities of color.
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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 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 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 Regional Director of Development
Staff Chris Boone Chris Boone serves as the Regional Director of Development for the Pacific and Southwest regions, and connects National Parks Conservation Association's most generous supporters in these regions with our advocacy and activities to protect our national parks.
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Read more about Sierra Nevada Program Manager
Staff Mark Rose As Program Manager for the Pacific Region’s Sierra Nevada office, 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 Ruth Hammett Associate Director, California Desert Program
Staff Chris Clarke Chris joined NPCA in 2017. He works with desert communities to protect national parks, monuments, and other protected places, and the landscapes that surround them.
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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 Senior Coordinator
Staff Nicole Spooner Nicole officially joined NPCA in June 2016 as the Senior Coordinator for the Pacific office. She manages and implements the administrative needs of the region’s staff and assists with specific program functions.
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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 Los Angeles Senior Program Manager
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 Director of Field Operations
Staff Neal Desai Neal joined NPCA's Pacific office in 2004, and is now the Senior Director of Field Operations 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 ›
- American Memorial Park Affiliated Area ›
- 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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