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:
- 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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National Parks preserve our best, most magical places. Visit one and your heart rate slows, your stress-rate drops and you make memories to last a lifetime. Lets preserve our National Parks and make more of them! — Michelle
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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 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 Buzz Kill
Magazine Article Buzz Kill A high-tech mission to save critically endangered forest birds takes flight at Haleakalā National Park.
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Read more about Killer on the Road
Magazine Article Killer on the Road Cars helped make national parks America’s most beloved landscapes — and wreaked havoc on wildlife. What will it take to repair the damage?
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Read more about 7 Tips for Telling Your Park Story Like a Documentary Photographer
Blog Post 7 Tips for Telling Your Park Story Like a Documentary Photographer We love national park photos, but posed images can’t tell the whole story — especially years later. An award-winning documentary photographer shares how to turn your family adventure into cherished memories.
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Read more about National Parks Are in Climate Distress. This Law is One Step Toward a Solution.
Blog Post National Parks Are in Climate Distress. This Law is One Step Toward a Solution. A year after its passage, 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act remains a historic climate investment in national parks. It can’t be the only one.
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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 Latinos Are Critical to the Environmental Movement
Blog Post Latinos Are Critical to the Environmental Movement Latino Conservation Week highlights the contributions of Latinos in caring for the environment, while encouraging the community’s culture of stewardship. Here’s how NPCA supports Latino engagement every day.
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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 Welcome to the National Park of American Samoa, the only U.S. national park south of the equator. On this tour, you have the rare opportunity to visit all of the islands that comprise this national park — Tutuila, Aunu‘u and the Manu‘a Islands. You will be spending time with the community and learning about the customs of the islands, while also visiting paleotropic rainforests and seeing flora and fauna found in no other national park. During this unforgettable NPCA small group tour, you’ll feel the warm welcome of Samoan culture as a guest in an immersive experience of community, culture and conservation.
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Read more about California’s Desert Landscape: Joshua Tree & Death Valley
Land Based Trip California’s Desert Landscape: Joshua Tree & Death Valley Explore the best of Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks alongside NPCA experts and partners on this exciting journey through the Mojave Desert. Visit three large desert parks that NPCA helped to establish — Sand to Snow National Monument, Mojave National Preserve, and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument — and get a behind-the-scenes look at how NPCA works with local partners to protect these valuable places.
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Read more about Coastal Parks Offer Climate Solutions
Blog Post Coastal Parks Offer Climate Solutions NPCA is working to ensure coastal national parks are part of the climate solution. The more we protect national park waters from climate impacts now, the more they will protect us and our parks for generations to come.
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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 Bird’s Best Friend
Magazine Article Bird’s Best Friend Turning to the very goodest dog in the race to save Hawaii’s endangered seabirds.
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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 8 National Park Gardens to Delight the Senses
Blog Post 8 National Park Gardens to Delight the Senses If you’re looking for some color and fragrance this spring and summer, gardens in national parks are — or soon will be — abloom.
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Read more about Victory: President Biden Establishes Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada
Press Release Victory: President Biden Establishes Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada "Establishment of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is a testimony to protecting and preserving lands with not just our children and grandchildren in mind but for generations to come." - Theresa Pierno, NPCA's President and CEO
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Read more about Celebrating Places and Stories Within Nature: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Blog Post Celebrating Places and Stories Within Nature: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area The third video in a new series showcases community activist Araceli Hernandez and her work to increase access to outdoor spaces in her community.
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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 Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park
Small Ship Cruise Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park Embark on an unprecedented five-day expedition into wildness and wellness in the remote and remarkable Channel Islands. Step aboard in Los Angeles and sail to three of the five wildlife-rich islands that make up Channel Islands National Park, plus Catalina Island. Dayboats can take you to a single island to hike or camp, but a true in-depth exploration of the Channel Islands on our nimble ship (with comfortable cabins) is a unique offering and the only way to take in the full natural splendor of this extraordinary 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 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 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 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 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 ›
- 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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