ROTARY LUNCHEON: David Smith and The Next 50 Years - Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Park Superintendent David Smith will lead a discussion on America's most popular National Park site - Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Each year, over 17 million people come to enjoy the coastal redwoods at Muir Woods, the layers of history at Alcatraz, and the cold, foggy landscape along Ocean Beach and Lands. Park Superintendent Smith will discuss ongoing challenges with climate change, crime, and reaching new audiences.

David Smith serves as the superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, and Fort Point National Historic Site. Born in Oceanside, California, for the last 32 years he has served as a law enforcement ranger, a park interpreter, and a biological technician in a host of western parks. At Golden Gate, Smith leads a team of 300 park staff serving over 15 million visitors annually at the nation’s second most popular national park. Before coming to Golden Gate, Smith worked as superintendent at Joshua Tree National Park during a time of significant growth. Previously, Smith managed Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Kansas. In 2010-11, he served as legislative staffer on the House Natural Resources Committee as the NPS liaison to Congress. He holds a BA in Forestry/Developmental Studies from UC Berkeley as well as an MS in Resource Interpretation from Stephen F Austin University. He has worked at a number of parks and trails in Utah, California, and Arizona. Smith is the national winner of the Freeman Tilden Award. Smith has been a Rotarian since the family was stationed at Grand Canyon in 2005 and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco West.

At Golden Gate, Smith is focusing his efforts on creating a safer and more accessible park for all Americans with both a reduction in criminal activity and increasing access for disabled persons. In the coming years, the park will continue a focus on climate resiliency, especially for the park managed areas at Lands End, Ocean Beach, Mori Point, and the Marin Headlands.  Finally, Smith's team will be working to expand housing for park staff to allow for increased retention of employees in the coming years. 

Smith and husband John are recent empty nesters with both children off to college and military service. When not at work, they enjoy hiking in the park, rock climbing, and running on local trails.

Register here for In Person or Zoom attendance.

For in-person attendees: We welcome all attendees! The in-person registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday, June 7, 2024. The meeting cost increases to $60 at noon and beyond on June 7, 2024 and includes any walk-ins on Tuesday, June 11.

The Hotel Nikko holds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon, prior to our Tuesday meeting, whether those registered attend or not. In Rotary spirit, thanks for helping us to maintain a good relationship with our host hotel. 

For attendance via Zoom: For those who wish to participate via Zoom, there is a $10 fee to attend.

Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting, please leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sticker available at our check-in table. The discounted parking is $17.50 for three hours.

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