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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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— Cameron
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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 Pride in Our Parks 2023
Regional Events Pride in Our Parks 2023 Happy Pride, park advocates! This June marks our third annual #PrideInOurParks campaign, celebrating stories from the LGBTQ+ community in our national parks – but this year, we’re taking you to the parks.
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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 President Biden Poised to Establish Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada
Press Release President Biden Poised to Establish Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada "Avi Kwa Ame National Monument honors the Native Americans who have long called for preservation of their cultural heritage, and we look forward to President Biden taking historic action." -- Theresa Pierno, NPCA’s President and CEO
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Read more about Home, Home on the ‘Āina
Magazine Article Home, Home on the ‘Āina Decades before the cattle drives that established the cowboy as an icon of the American West, Hawaii developed a ranching culture of its own. Is it time for a national park site dedicated to paniolo?
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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 The Legacy of Fred Korematsu
Blog Post The Legacy of Fred Korematsu He fought against his forced imprisonment, all the way to the Supreme Court. Today, the National Park Service helps interpret the dark history behind World War II incarceration camps.
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Read more about National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley Announce New Video Series Celebrating Spaces and Stories Within Nature
Press Release National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley Announce New Video Series Celebrating Spaces and Stories Within Nature National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley are furthering the permanent protection of places that honor the people and stories who shaped our public lands.
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Read more about 8 Park Bills Congress Should Pass
Blog Post 8 Park Bills Congress Should Pass EDITOR’S NOTE: Five of these bills received congressional approval on Dec. 23, 2022, at the end of the 117th Congress. Read below for updates. NPCA is pushing to get national park bills through Congress this year. Here’s a list of some of the bills that have received bipartisan support — and we hope can get across the finish line.
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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 President Biden Poised to Designate Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada
Press Release President Biden Poised to Designate Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada "Avi Kwa Ame National Monument honors the Native Americans who have long called for preservation of their cultural heritage, and we urge the President to take swift action" -- NPCA's Theresa Pierno
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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 Electrifying Parks
Magazine Article Electrifying Parks Will national parks build enough electric vehicle charging stations to meet the growing demand? An EV devotee sets out for Yellowstone to get some answers.
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Read more about From Joshua Tree to Canyons of the Ancients
Magazine Article From Joshua Tree to Canyons of the Ancients An unbroken stretch of protected land would benefit ecosystems, wildlife and cultural landscapes.
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Read more about Tunnel Top Triumph
Magazine Article Tunnel Top Triumph How the Presidio of San Francisco got rid of an aging, ugly freeway — and scored new national parkland in the process.
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Read more about What Does Veterans Day Mean to You?
Blog Post What Does Veterans Day Mean to You? We asked members of NPCA’s Veterans Council and veteran staff members to share their thoughts on this special day and the role national parks play in telling the story of veteran history.
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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 Talofa! Welcome to American Samoa and to the only U.S. National Park south of the equator. On this tour, you have the rare opportunity to visit all three of the islands where the National Park of American Samoa is located. 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 that are found in no other U.S. 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 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 The National Parks of Hawai‘i
Land Based Trip The National Parks of Hawai‘i Experience the unique cultural and natural beauty within Hawai‘i’s national parks by joining expert biologists, naturalists and cultural interpreters who will share their extensive knowledge and perspectives of this remarkable place. Meet with park rangers to learn more about the work being done to protect vulnerable ecosystems and endangered animals and plants which are found nowhere else on earth. Access locations that are off the beaten path and not readily accessible to the general public. Leave with a greater appreciation of the islands, their natural and cultural history and the ongoing challenges to preserve this unique biodiversity.
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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
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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